1970s America

US Studies

Nixon Elected 1968 (Law & order) Spoke of the “Silent Majority” Paranoid at times (enemies list) Created a stronger executive Tried to end inflation (90 day

price controls, 1971; 60 day 1973)

OPEC & Oil crisis (1973) New Federalism (states spent $) Southern Strategy (Slowed Civil

Rights enforcement)—won over Southern white Democrats

Watergate Nixon’s paranoia started

this (Enemies List; wiretaps; tax audits)

1972 election: CREP (Plumbers ordered a break-in of the DNC)

Security Guard found them, 5 were arrested

Nixon’s initial response—denial

No one noticed; Woodward & Bernstein kept story alive

Ford Presidency

“I’m a Ford, not a Lincoln” Almost immediately

pardoned Nixon (deal?) Meant to move the country

forward; killed his goodwill w/Dems and Americans

Stagflation Whip Inflation Now (WIN) War Powers Act (48

hours/60 days)

Carter Presidency Why he won: he was an outsider Why he failed as a president: he

was an outsider Biggest issues—inflation &

energy crisis Increased spending & money

supply—inflation up Reaction: decrease spending;

unemployment rose Deregulation of gov’t controls Created Energy Department;

focused on conservation

His Energy Plan

Tax gas guzzlers Power utilities use fuels OTHER than gas &

oil (Coal) Tax credits for homeowners who insulate &

use solar energy Fund alternative energy resources other than

coal & oil What changed this: energy prices dropped;

Three Mile Island

Middle East

Camp David Accords (Sadat and Begin): Israel withdrew from Sinai Peninsula; Egypt recognized them as a nation

Biggest problem: Iran US supported the Shah of Iran (Cold War coup) Shah was cruel (secret police) Islamic Revolution 1978 Ayatollah Khomeini sought to get back at the US