Chapter 25 –Section 1

The Nixon Years

Nixon Election - 1968

Supporters – Middle Class “Silent Majority”

Kennedy & Johnson’s Policies

Nixon’s Policies

Pg. 740 & 741

Kennedy & Johnson’s Policies

•“Great Society” programs expanded welfare and provided services to poor Americans

•Proposed & supported civil rights policies

•Increased government spending on social programs

Nixon’s Policies

•Wanted to reform welfare by replacing services with Family

Assistance Plan (FAP)

•No new civil rights policies

•Promised to cut back democratic programs.

Believed that government

needed to help out to combat

poverty.

Difference between Kennedy / Johnson & Nixon

Nixon & Economy Inflation: rising prices over time

– Check this out…Calculating Prices

Stagflation – High unemployment + high inflation

Nixon froze prices, rents & wages… Energy crisis – caused inflation

By 1973 – we used 2x as much oil as we produced

Nixon’s High Points Realpolitik – Practical Politics Disarmament talks with Soviet Union

– SALT – Strategic Arms Limitations Talks• Limits were set on long-range nuclear missiles &

defensive missiles• Détente – a lessening of tensions between US & SU

Normalization of relations with China– 1972 Visit – Established diplomatic relations with

Communist Chinese– Nixon Doctrine – Asian nations would have to

defend themselves and couldn’t rely on US for aid. Middle East Conflict – US was behind Israel

Chapter 25Section 2

From Watergate to Ford

Issues surrounding the Watergate Scandal Nixon ordered an “enemies list” of who opposed his

ideas White House created a secret unit to stop information

leaks and to spy on the Democrats June 1972, at the Watergate Hotel, five men were

arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee offices

– Wiretap equipment and other spying equipment found– Nixon denied involvement

Reporters and a secret source know as “Deep Throat” found that Nixon was paying these men

The White House is REALLY in trouble…

ALSO…Nixon’s vice president Spiro Agnew resigned over a tax evasion charge

Republican Gerald Ford is appointed

President:Nixon

Vice President:Agnew

Vice President:Ford

Back to Nixon being in trouble… White House tapes

– Nixon secretly recorded all his White House conversations.

– Asked to turn the tapes in – DOESN’T SATURDAY NIGHT MASSACRE-

– Nixon was court ordered to turn over the tapes. He responded by ordering that man to be fired. This led to firings and resignations of many top officials.

So “What happens?” Tapes were released, the truth came

out, a Nixon directed cover up. He resigned August 8, 1974

President:Nixon

Vice President:Agnew

Vice President:Ford

Gerald Ford takes Over

He pardoned Nixon – meaning he wouldn’t go to trial

Ford-Republican Congress-Democratic

Result: Ford never got any of his policies passed

U.S. was in a recession during this time– Ford recommended tax cuts and budget cuts– Shot down by Congress

Ford’s Foreign Policy Ford continued

Nixon’s policies Maintained U.S.

influence in Southeast Asia Cold War expands to Africa

– Gave $300 million in aid– Soviets and U.S. gave aid to

opposite fronts in Angola

Chapter 25 Section 3

Carter: as President

Who is Jimmy Carter…?

Won against Ford– Pledged to return MORALITY to government

Domestic Policy– Pardoned draft evaders – Popularity – Economy – Goal to inflation & unemployment

• Tax cuts• Voluntary wage & price controls• Unsuccessful – By 1980 = recession

What did he have to deal with?… Energy Crisis

– National Energy Act & Dept. of Energy created– World events threatened supply

• Iran revolution stopped shipments• OPEC raised oil prices 50%• Three Mile Island accident• Gas supplies ran out – long lines

– Asked Americans to…• Go 55 mph• Set thermostats no higher than 65• Limit driving to only necessary

Carter’s Foreign Policy Rejected Realpolitik wanted morals in

US foreign policy Supported right to freedom from torture and

unlawful detention Around the World

– Panama Canal – give operations to Panama by 2000

– Soviet Union – All time low• Invasion of Afghanistan• Boycott of 1980 Olympics in Moscow

– Middle East• Agreed on a framework for achieving peace in Mid. East• Peace treaty that ended 30 state of war between Egypt &

Israel

Carter’s Legacy Americans were frustrated that Carter could not find

solutions to the energy crisis, inflation and unemployment

Iran Hostage Crisis– Remember when Eisenhower put Pahlavi in charge?

• He wasn’t a nice guy• Ayatollah Khomeini created Islamic Republic• Carter allowed Pahlavi into US for treatment• Outraged Iran & they took 50+ US hostages

Became more famous AFTER presidency

Chapter 25Section 4

Life in the 1970s

Life in the 1970’s

Increase in Asian and Latin American immigrants

Voting Rights Act of 1975- required states to print voting materials in other languages

People started moving to the south “The Sunbelt” reason: warmer weather, more land available

Family Life: people lived alone longer, divorce rates started to rise, Family sizes were smaller, birthrates dropped

American Attitude & Entertainment People focused on

bettering themselves Running and eating right

became the thing to do Movie boom

– Steven Spielberg – Jaws, E.T. Close Encounters of a 3rd Kind

Music – Disco’s became popular – Fog, bubble machines, and strobe lights

Technology

MOON LANDING!!– July 20,1969

– Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin 1973 Skylab space station put in orbit Apple

– Stephen Jobs and Stephen Wozniak founded in their parents garage

Other inventions: Atari video game system, the VCR, answering machines