An Age of Limits, An Age of Limits, 1968-19811968-1981

I. Nixon’s Foreign PolicyI. Nixon’s Foreign Policy

A. Easing the Cold WarA. Easing the Cold War Inaugural AddressInaugural Address

• ““The greatest honor…is the title of The greatest honor…is the title of peacemaker.”peacemaker.”

1. Behind the Iron Curtain1. Behind the Iron Curtain Visited Romania in 1969Visited Romania in 1969 11stst president to go there during the president to go there during the

Cold War Cold War 2. Détente2. Détente

Appointed Henry Kissinger Natl. Appointed Henry Kissinger Natl. Security AdvisorSecurity Advisor

• Later Sec. of StateLater Sec. of State• Practiced Practiced realpolitikrealpolitik

Policies based on national Policies based on national interest, not ideologiesinterest, not ideologies

Tried to relax international Tried to relax international tensionstensions

• Nixon wanted a balance of powerNixon wanted a balance of power

A. Easing the Cold War cont.A. Easing the Cold War cont. 3. China3. China

Communists took over in 1949Communists took over in 1949• Mao ZedongMao Zedong

U.S. recognized the govt. in TaiwanU.S. recognized the govt. in Taiwan• Under Chiang Kai-shekUnder Chiang Kai-shek

They distrusted and feared the SovietsThey distrusted and feared the Soviets Nixon hoped recognizing them would Nixon hoped recognizing them would

end the war in Vietnamend the war in Vietnam 1970, Nixon stated he wanted to visit 1970, Nixon stated he wanted to visit

ChinaChina 1971, they invited our ping-pong team1971, they invited our ping-pong team

• Led to opening of tradeLed to opening of trade Kissinger went there in secret in April Kissinger went there in secret in April

19711971 Nixon visited for a week in Feb. 1972Nixon visited for a week in Feb. 1972

• 11stst formal contact in 25 years formal contact in 25 years• Diplomatic relations opened in 1979Diplomatic relations opened in 1979

A. Easing the Cold War cont.A. Easing the Cold War cont.

4. The Soviet Union4. The Soviet Union Nixon then went to Nixon then went to

Moscow in May 1972Moscow in May 1972 Soviets wanted to prevent Soviets wanted to prevent

a U.S.-Chinese alliancea U.S.-Chinese alliance• Hoped to gain access to Hoped to gain access to

American technology and American technology and graingrain

Met with Leonid BrezhnevMet with Leonid Brezhnev Signed SALT ISigned SALT I

• Strategic Arms Reduction Strategic Arms Reduction TreatyTreaty

• Restricted nuclear missilesRestricted nuclear missiles

B. Middle EastB. Middle East Nixon wanted to avoid another Nixon wanted to avoid another

Vietnam situationVietnam situation 1. Arab-Israeli Tensions1. Arab-Israeli Tensions

War in 1948, 1956, and 1967War in 1948, 1956, and 1967• Six-Day War in 1967 had Israel Six-Day War in 1967 had Israel

making big territorial gainsmaking big territorial gains• W. Jerusalem, the West Bank, the W. Jerusalem, the West Bank, the

Golan Heights, the Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights, the Gaza Strip, and the Sinai Peninsulathe Sinai Peninsula

Palestinians demanded their own Palestinians demanded their own countrycountry

2. Yom Kippur War2. Yom Kippur War Oct. 6, 1973, Egypt and Syria Oct. 6, 1973, Egypt and Syria

attacked Israelattacked Israel U.S. urged Israel for a cease-fireU.S. urged Israel for a cease-fire

• Israel gained more territoryIsrael gained more territory OPEC then put an oil embargo on OPEC then put an oil embargo on

the U.S.the U.S.• Caused huge economic problemsCaused huge economic problems

B. Middle East cont.B. Middle East cont.

3. Shuttle Diplomacy3. Shuttle Diplomacy Kissinger flew back and Kissinger flew back and

forth to the capitals forth to the capitals involved trying to get a involved trying to get a settlementsettlement

1974, Golda Meir and 1974, Golda Meir and Anwar el-Sadat reached Anwar el-Sadat reached an agreementan agreement

March 1974, Kissinger March 1974, Kissinger got the oil embargo to got the oil embargo to endend

• Improved relations with Improved relations with EgyptEgypt

C. Latin AmericaC. Latin America

Nixon tried to prevent Nixon tried to prevent communism in this regioncommunism in this region

1970, Left-leaning Salvador 1970, Left-leaning Salvador Allende took over ChileAllende took over Chile

Seized American businessesSeized American businesses

The CIA backed Gen. The CIA backed Gen. Augosto Pinochet to Augosto Pinochet to overthrow the govt. overthrow the govt.

Allende killedAllende killed Pinochet was a horrible ruler, Pinochet was a horrible ruler,

but not a communistbut not a communist

Nixon pursued détente, Nixon pursued détente, except in Latin Americaexcept in Latin America

II. Nixon and WatergateII. Nixon and Watergate A. Nixon’s Domestic ProgramA. Nixon’s Domestic Program

Pledged to crack down on crimePledged to crack down on crime 1. The Courts1. The Courts

Filled four vacancies in the Filled four vacancies in the Supreme CourtSupreme Court

• Warren Burger, Henry Blackmun, Warren Burger, Henry Blackmun, Lewis Powell, William RehnquistLewis Powell, William Rehnquist

2. New Federalism2. New Federalism Wanted to reduce the govt. and cut Wanted to reduce the govt. and cut

spendingspending Revenue sharing with federal taxes Revenue sharing with federal taxes

and all levels of govt.and all levels of govt. Opposed busingOpposed busing

• A way to promote integrationA way to promote integration Promoted affirmative actionPromoted affirmative action Accepted OSHA and the EPAAccepted OSHA and the EPA

• Occupational Safety and Health Occupational Safety and Health Admin.Admin.

• Environmental Protection AgencyEnvironmental Protection Agency

A. Nixon’s Domestic Program cont.A. Nixon’s Domestic Program cont.

3. Economic Problems3. Economic Problems Foreign competition caused inflationForeign competition caused inflation

• General rise of pricesGeneral rise of prices• Slow economic growth with high Slow economic growth with high

unemploymentunemployment 4. Seeking Economic Stability4. Seeking Economic Stability

Cut spending to reduce money supplyCut spending to reduce money supply• Hopefully make prices dropHopefully make prices drop• Businesses cutbackBusinesses cutback

Caused stagflationCaused stagflation• Rising prices with a sluggish economyRising prices with a sluggish economy

Nixon then started wage and price Nixon then started wage and price freezesfreezes

• Stopped inflation, but the economy Stopped inflation, but the economy didn’t growdidn’t grow

Finally tried to increase spendingFinally tried to increase spending• Helped some, but it created a budget Helped some, but it created a budget

deficitdeficit

B. Nixon’s Second TermB. Nixon’s Second Term

Had doubts for reelection in Had doubts for reelection in 19711971

1. A Campaign Against 1. A Campaign Against EnemiesEnemies

Nixon’s aides, John Ehrlichman Nixon’s aides, John Ehrlichman and H.R. Haldeman sometimes and H.R. Haldeman sometimes stretched, crossed, and broke stretched, crossed, and broke the lawthe law

Created an enemies list in Created an enemies list in 19711971

• Subject to investigations and Subject to investigations and auditsaudits

Nixon collected campaign Nixon collected campaign money to finance his money to finance his “plumbers”“plumbers”

• To stop leaks that could hurt To stop leaks that could hurt the admin.the admin.

B. Nixon’s Second Term cont.B. Nixon’s Second Term cont. 2. Landslide Victory2. Landslide Victory

Beat George McGovern (D) in the Beat George McGovern (D) in the biggest landslide victory to datebiggest landslide victory to date

• George Wallace was shot and George Wallace was shot and paralyzed while campaigningparalyzed while campaigning

• Helped by an upsurge in the economy, Helped by an upsurge in the economy, possible peace in Vietnam, and his trip possible peace in Vietnam, and his trip to Chinato China

3. The Energy Crisis3. The Energy Crisis Oil Embargo by OPEC, 1973Oil Embargo by OPEC, 1973

• Org. of Petroleum Exporting CountriesOrg. of Petroleum Exporting Countries Six-month embargo caused workers to Six-month embargo caused workers to

be laid off and prices to skyrocketbe laid off and prices to skyrocket• Customers waited in long lines and Customers waited in long lines and

paid high prices for gaspaid high prices for gas Congress looked for ways to conserve Congress looked for ways to conserve

energyenergy• Lowered the speed limitLowered the speed limit• Domestic oil drilling in AlaskaDomestic oil drilling in Alaska

C. The Watergate CrisisC. The Watergate Crisis

June 17, 1972, members of June 17, 1972, members of the Nixon campaign are the Nixon campaign are arrested for breaking into the arrested for breaking into the Dem. Natl. Headquarters to Dem. Natl. Headquarters to plant bugsplant bugs

At the Watergate complexAt the Watergate complex

1. A Third-Rate Burglary1. A Third-Rate Burglary• Five “plumbers” were arrestedFive “plumbers” were arrested

G. Gordon Liddy and E. G. Gordon Liddy and E. Howard Hunt arrested too for Howard Hunt arrested too for paying the menpaying the men

Connected to the Nixon Connected to the Nixon campaigncampaign

• The White House denies any The White House denies any involvementinvolvement

C. The Watergate Crisis cont.C. The Watergate Crisis cont.

2. Investigation2. Investigation Bob Woodward and Carl Bob Woodward and Carl

Bernstein published Bernstein published articles connecting Nixon articles connecting Nixon to the break-into the break-in

• Washington PostWashington Post• Deep Throat was their Deep Throat was their

informantinformant William Mark Felt, Sr.William Mark Felt, Sr.

One of the burglars One of the burglars admitted on trial being admitted on trial being ordered “to plead guilty ordered “to plead guilty and remain silent, “ by and remain silent, “ by White House aidesWhite House aides

C. The Watergate Crisis cont.C. The Watergate Crisis cont. 3. A Scandal Unravels3. A Scandal Unravels

The Senate voted to investigate in The Senate voted to investigate in 19731973

• Sam Ervin chaired itSam Ervin chaired it Nixon shook up his staffNixon shook up his staff

• Fired John Dean and forced Fired John Dean and forced Haldeman and Ehrlichman to resignHaldeman and Ehrlichman to resign

Appointed a special prosecutor, Appointed a special prosecutor, Archibald CoxArchibald Cox

John Dean testified to the Senate that John Dean testified to the Senate that Nixon ordered the cover-upNixon ordered the cover-up

Later testimony revealed Nixon had a Later testimony revealed Nixon had a secret taping system that recorded secret taping system that recorded everything in the Oval Officeeverything in the Oval Office

Cox and Ervin demanded the tapesCox and Ervin demanded the tapes• Nixon refused, citing Nixon refused, citing executive executive

privilegeprivilege

C. The Watergate Crisis cont.C. The Watergate Crisis cont. 3. A Scandal Unravels cont.3. A Scandal Unravels cont.

Cox requested a court order to Cox requested a court order to get the tapesget the tapes

Nixon told his attorney general Nixon told his attorney general to fire Coxto fire Cox

• Instead Elliot Richardson Instead Elliot Richardson resignedresigned

• His deputy, William His deputy, William Ruckelshaus did tooRuckelshaus did too

Nixon finally found someone to Nixon finally found someone to do itdo it

The The Saturday Night MassacreSaturday Night Massacre led to public protestled to public protest

Meanwhile, VP Spiro Agnew Meanwhile, VP Spiro Agnew resigned for taking bribes as resigned for taking bribes as governor of Marylandgovernor of Maryland

Nixon appointed Gerald Ford Nixon appointed Gerald Ford as VPas VP

C. The Watergate Crisis cont.C. The Watergate Crisis cont. 4. The Crisis Deepens4. The Crisis Deepens

New prosecutor, Leon Jaworski New prosecutor, Leon Jaworski was appointedwas appointed

The House began considering The House began considering impeachmentimpeachment

April 1974, Nixon released April 1974, Nixon released transcripts of the tapestranscripts of the tapes

• Heavily editedHeavily edited• Later released tapes with Later released tapes with

sections missingsections missing He continued to defy court He continued to defy court

orders until the Supreme Court orders until the Supreme Court ruled against him on July 24ruled against him on July 24

House adopted three articles of House adopted three articles of impeachment to be approvedimpeachment to be approved

Nixon gave the tapes up on Nixon gave the tapes up on Aug. 5Aug. 5

• It revealed he ordered the It revealed he ordered the cover-up personallycover-up personally

C. The Watergate Crisis cont.C. The Watergate Crisis cont.

5. Nixon Resigns5. Nixon Resigns August 8, 1974August 8, 1974 Gerald Ford took overGerald Ford took over Nixon left via Nixon left via

helicopterhelicopter Watergate proved the Watergate proved the

system of checks and system of checks and balances workedbalances worked

Damaged the public’s Damaged the public’s faith in the govt. and faith in the govt. and the Republican partythe Republican party

D. A Time for HealingD. A Time for Healing Ford, “Our long national Ford, “Our long national

nightmare is over.”nightmare is over.” Selected Nelson Rockefeller for Selected Nelson Rockefeller for

his VPhis VP Ford pardoned Nixon on Ford pardoned Nixon on

Sept. 8, 1974Sept. 8, 1974 Destroyed any confidence the Destroyed any confidence the

public had in himpublic had in him Ford wanted to put Watergate Ford wanted to put Watergate

behind the country and move behind the country and move oneone

Charges of a Nixon-Ford dealCharges of a Nixon-Ford deal 1. Spying on American 1. Spying on American

CitizensCitizens Dec. 1974, the public learned Dec. 1974, the public learned

the CIA and FBI kept secret the CIA and FBI kept secret files on a peoplefiles on a people

D. A Time for Healing cont. D. A Time for Healing cont. 2. Vietnam Amnesty2. Vietnam Amnesty

Ford offered amnesty to draft-Ford offered amnesty to draft-dodgersdodgers

More outrage from the peopleMore outrage from the people 3. Ford and Foreign Affairs3. Ford and Foreign Affairs

Relied on Kissinger and Relied on Kissinger and continued the same policiescontinued the same policies

Met with Leonid Brezhnev to Met with Leonid Brezhnev to limit nukes, 1974limit nukes, 1974

Signed the Helsinki Accords in Signed the Helsinki Accords in July 1975July 1975

• Agreed on post-WWII bordersAgreed on post-WWII borders• Pledge to respect human rights Pledge to respect human rights

and libertiesand liberties Worked closer with the Worked closer with the

Chinese after Mao Zedong died Chinese after Mao Zedong died in 1976in 1976

D. A Time for Healing cont.D. A Time for Healing cont.

4. A Troubled Economy4. A Troubled Economy Inflation and Inflation and

unemployment were still unemployment were still highhigh

Japan and Europe Japan and Europe challenged the U.S. challenged the U.S. dominance in the global dominance in the global economyeconomy

• Rise of Japanese carsRise of Japanese cars More U.S. factory closingsMore U.S. factory closings

• Led to underemploymentLed to underemployment Being overqualified for a Being overqualified for a

jobjob Oil prices were still highOil prices were still high

D. A Time for Healing cont.D. A Time for Healing cont.

5. Ford’s Response5. Ford’s Response WIN: Whip Inflation NowWIN: Whip Inflation Now

• Called for people to save Called for people to save money, plant gardens, and money, plant gardens, and voluntary wage and price voluntary wage and price controlscontrols

6. Spending Cuts6. Spending Cuts Tried to cut spendingTried to cut spending

• Vetoed bills from the Vetoed bills from the Democrat CongressDemocrat Congress

Passed a tax cutPassed a tax cut• Only led to a bigger deficitOnly led to a bigger deficit

III. The Carter PresidencyIII. The Carter Presidency

A. The Election of 1976A. The Election of 1976 Dems. Nominate Jimmy Dems. Nominate Jimmy

Carter and Walter Carter and Walter MondaleMondale

• Carter was a Washington Carter was a Washington outsideroutsider

Ford won the Rep. Ford won the Rep. nomination after a tough nomination after a tough challenge from Ronald challenge from Ronald Reagan Reagan

• Tried to stress his Tried to stress his achievementsachievements

Carter won a very close Carter won a very close electionelection

B. An Informal PresidentB. An Informal President

Carter was a peanut farmer Carter was a peanut farmer from Georgiafrom Georgia

Down-to-earth nice guyDown-to-earth nice guy Wore normal clothes and Wore normal clothes and

walked to his inaugurationwalked to his inauguration 1. Struggling With the 1. Struggling With the

EconomyEconomy Tried to increase spending and Tried to increase spending and

cut taxescut taxes• Unemployment dropped, but Unemployment dropped, but

inflation soaredinflation soared Then cut spending and raised Then cut spending and raised

taxestaxes• Made him seem weak and Made him seem weak and

uncertainuncertain• ““Crisis in Confidence”Crisis in Confidence”

B. An Informal President cont.B. An Informal President cont. 2. Energy Crisis2. Energy Crisis

High costs of energy fueled High costs of energy fueled inflationinflation

• Dependence on foreign oil created Dependence on foreign oil created a trade deficita trade deficit

April 1977, Carter presented the April 1977, Carter presented the Natl. Energy PlanNatl. Energy Plan

• Tried to reduce energy use and Tried to reduce energy use and created the Dept. of Energycreated the Dept. of Energy

• Explored alternative fuel sourcesExplored alternative fuel sources 3. Nuclear Power3. Nuclear Power

March 1979, Three Mile Island March 1979, Three Mile Island meltdown in Penn.meltdown in Penn.

People protested the use of People protested the use of nuclear energynuclear energy

• Carter stood firmCarter stood firm• 10% of the nation’s energy came 10% of the nation’s energy came

from itfrom it

C. Foreign AffairsC. Foreign Affairs Based it entirely on human Based it entirely on human

rightsrights Withdrew aid to countries Withdrew aid to countries

who violated themwho violated them South Africa and apartheidSouth Africa and apartheid

Allowed Cuban refugees to Allowed Cuban refugees to come America, 1980come America, 1980

Castro allowed thousands to Castro allowed thousands to leaveleave

• Criminals and political Criminals and political prisonersprisoners

1. The Panama Canal1. The Panama Canal Signed treaties with Panama to Signed treaties with Panama to

give the canal back in 2000 if give the canal back in 2000 if they kept it a neutral waterwaythey kept it a neutral waterway

Wanted better relations with Wanted better relations with Latin America Latin America

C. Foreign Affairs cont.C. Foreign Affairs cont. 2. The Middle East2. The Middle East

Helped in peace talks between Helped in peace talks between Israel and EgyptIsrael and Egypt

• Got Menachem Begin and Anwar Got Menachem Begin and Anwar el-Sadat to negotiate el-Sadat to negotiate

Camp David Accords were signed Camp David Accords were signed in Sept. 1978in Sept. 1978

• 11stst treaty between Arabs and Jews treaty between Arabs and Jews• Carter won a Nobel Peace Prize Carter won a Nobel Peace Prize

for his effortsfor his efforts 3. The Soviet Union3. The Soviet Union

Worked towards a SALT II Worked towards a SALT II agreementagreement

Negotiations fell apart after the Negotiations fell apart after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan in Soviets invaded Afghanistan in Dec. 1979Dec. 1979

• Carter ordered sanctionsCarter ordered sanctions• The U.S. boycotted the 1980 The U.S. boycotted the 1980

Olympics in MoscowOlympics in Moscow

C. Foreign Affairs cont.C. Foreign Affairs cont. 4. Crisis in Iran4. Crisis in Iran

The U.S.’s strongest ally in the The U.S.’s strongest ally in the Persian Gulf in the 1970sPersian Gulf in the 1970s

Led by Shah Mohammed Reza Led by Shah Mohammed Reza PahlaviPahlavi

Jan. 1979, Islamic fundamentalists Jan. 1979, Islamic fundamentalists drove the Shah from powerdrove the Shah from power

Allowed Ayatollah Khomeini to take Allowed Ayatollah Khomeini to take overover

Iranian students stormed the U.S. Iranian students stormed the U.S. embassy in Nov. 1979 and took 52 embassy in Nov. 1979 and took 52 American hostagesAmerican hostages

The U.S. tried to negotiateThe U.S. tried to negotiate A daring helicopter rescue resulted in A daring helicopter rescue resulted in

8 military deaths after a crash8 military deaths after a crash A major issue in the 1980 campaignA major issue in the 1980 campaign

Iran Hostage CrisisIran Hostage Crisis

D. The Election of 1980D. The Election of 1980 Iran really hurt Carter’s chances Iran really hurt Carter’s chances

for reelectionfor reelection Ronald Reagan and George Bush Ronald Reagan and George Bush

ran for the Republicansran for the Republicans Reagan radiated charm and Reagan radiated charm and

confidenceconfidence Wanted lower taxes, reduced Wanted lower taxes, reduced

spending, stronger defense, and a spending, stronger defense, and a restoration in American priderestoration in American pride

• ““Are you better off than you were Are you better off than you were four years ago?”four years ago?”

Won easily along with the Won easily along with the Republicans taking over the Republicans taking over the Senate tooSenate too

Carter worked hard to free the Carter worked hard to free the hostages before Reagan took overhostages before Reagan took over

They were freed hours after Carter They were freed hours after Carter was out and Reagan was was out and Reagan was inauguratedinaugurated

Chapter 32 1970s QuestionsChapter 32 1970s Questions1.1. What were Nixon’s goals in foreign policy? What did he do to What were Nixon’s goals in foreign policy? What did he do to

try to achieve these goals? What was his greatest try to achieve these goals? What was his greatest achievement?achievement?

2.2. What was the Watergate scandal? How did it start and What was the Watergate scandal? How did it start and eventually escalate? How was President Nixon involved? eventually escalate? How was President Nixon involved? What does your group think would have happened if the What does your group think would have happened if the Nixon administration had come clean at the beginning?Nixon administration had come clean at the beginning?

3.3. What were some problems with the economy during the What were some problems with the economy during the 1970s? How did the oil crisis lead to problems? What were 1970s? How did the oil crisis lead to problems? What were some programs the government tried and did they work? Give some programs the government tried and did they work? Give two examples.two examples.

4.4. Was Ford’s presidency effective? What decisions led the Was Ford’s presidency effective? What decisions led the country to distrust the government even more? What is your country to distrust the government even more? What is your group’s opinion of Ford?group’s opinion of Ford?

5.5. How was Jimmy Carter different than most presidents? What How was Jimmy Carter different than most presidents? What were some challenges during his presidency? What was his were some challenges during his presidency? What was his biggest success and biggest failure?biggest success and biggest failure?