1970-1990

1970-1990

Imperial Presidency Authors of Founding Fathers tied to balance power in govtSince 1930s, Presidential power increased greatlyUnlike Congress, President can act quickly and decisivelyRadio and TV allowed presidents to more easily appeal to the peopleStarted to listen to personal advisors more than Cabinet members Congress had to approveGrowth of Presidential power sometimes called Imperial PresidencyExpansion of Presidential power reached peak under Richard Nixon

Nixon Presidency 1969-1974Imperial PresidencyNixon did not consult Congress on bombing of Cambodia and Laos or the mining of N. Vietnams harborUsed public funds to remodel private homesUsed CIA and FBI to collect information on political enemiesCongress voted for programs he didnt like, Nixon refused to spend the funds

Nixon Presidency 1969-1974Domestic PolicyA Republican, Nixon wanted a more conservative directionBelieved federal social programs inefficient and better dealt w/ at local levelEliminated several Great Society programs and gave funds to state and local govts to decide how to use

Nixon Presidency 1969-1974Domestic PolicySough an end to the draftCreate series of strong anti-crime lawsAdvanced a broad environmental programPromised to appoint Conservative Supreme Court Justices

Nixon Presidency 1969-1974Domestic PolicyFirst Amendment RightsTinker v. Des Moines (1969)Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)SC struck down law that required Amish children to go to school past 8th gradeViolated freedom of religionInflationRising prices, new trade deficit, rising unemploymentNixon cut spending on social programs, imposed first peacetime wage and price controlsAll proved unsuccessful

Nixon Presidency 1969-1974Domestic PolicyEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)EPA set air and water pollution standards for cities, engages in monitoring and enforcement activitiesConstruction projects must pass through detailed environmental impact reviewsPrivate citizens can file lawsuits against polluters under EPA

Nixon Presidency 1969-1974Domestic PolicyEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA)Endangered Species Act (1973)Required Fish and Wildlife Service to list species of plants and animals that are threatened w/ extinction and take further steps to protect them

Nixon Presidency 1969-1974Domestic PolicyEqual Rights Amendment1923 Alice Paul (founder of National Womans Party) proposed Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the US or any state on account of sex50 years introduced to Congress but failed to pass

Nixon Presidency 1969-1974Domestic PolicyEqual Rights Amendment1972 amendment finally approved by Congress7 year ratification deadline by the StatesDeadline extended to 1982 but still 3 states shotReintroduced to Congress every session since

Nixon Presidency 1969-1974Domestic PolicyEqual Rights AmendmentCritic of Womens Liberation Movement Phyllis Schlafly Book attacked liberal Republicans and was used by Goldwater supporters in 1964 electionCampaigned against ERABelieved it would reduce rights of wives an harm family lifeClaimed it would deprive women the right to be supported and protected by men

Nixon Presidency 1969-1974Foreign Policy Believed Presidents most important role was directing foreign policyAssisted by foreign policy expert Henry Kissinger

Nixon Presidency 1969-1974Foreign PolicyReopening relations with China, 1972Since 1949, US refused to establish diplomatic relations with Communist govtUS had vetoed Communist China entering UNNixon strong anti-Communist, but restored diplomatic relations with Communist China1972 first President to visit mainland ChinaNixons greatest foreign policy achievement

Nixon Presidency 1969-1974Foreign PolicyDtente with Soviet Union, 1972Pursued detent relaxing of tensionsNixon introduced to relation with USSRWanted to stop buildup of nuclear weaponsNixon became first President to visit MoscowSigned SALT with Soviet leaders, limited development of defensive missile systemsAgreed to sell American grain to USSR to help with food shortages1973 US and USSR pressured Israel and Arab states to conclude in cease-fire

Nixon Presidency 1969-1974Foreign PolicyVice President Ford takes officeIn re-election, Nixon promised a return to law and orderSoon, learned Nixons govt was corrupt1973 Nixons VP Spiro Agnew resigned when discovered he took bribes as Governor of MarylandUnder 25th amendment, Nixon appointed Gerald Ford as new VP

Watergate Crisis1972 group of former CIA agents working for Nixon re-electionCaught in Democratic Party headquarters at Watergate complex in Washington, D.C.President Nixon tried to cover up investigation saying it involved national security2 investigative reporters first to report possible links between White House and break-inSenate created committee to investigateAttorney General appointed Special Prosecutor to examine possible wrong doing

Watergate CrisisWatergate TapesAt Senate hearings, Presidential aide stated Nixon participated in the cover-upRevealed Nixon had secretly recorded all of own Whitehouse conversationsSenate Committed asked to listen, Nixon refused citing executive privilegeCongress had no authority to question members of the executive branch about communications advising the President without Presidential approval

Watergate CrisisWatergate TapesUnited States v. Nixon (1974) Nixon further contended if obeyed the district court to turn over tapes, it would lead to judicial control of the PresidencySC ruled Nixon must turn over tapesNo one is above the law

Watergate CrisisWhen tapes made public, revealed Nixon had lied about not being in the cover-up.House of Representatives moved to impeach NixonFearing removal from office, Nixon became first President to resign

Ford Presidency 1974-1977Gerald Ford became PresidentNot elected, been appointed by NixonFirst act of Fords was the pardon Nixon of all crimesNot very popular

Ford Presidency 1974-1977Fords main woes were economicEconomics believed inflation accompanied economic growth and full employment, not recessionAmericans suffered from stagflation high unemployment with inflation

Ford Presidency 1974-1977Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) formed in 1960OPEC mostly Arab countries1973 countries used oil as political weapon by imposing oil embargo on US and W. Europe for siding with Israel in 1973 warOvernight, oil prices shot upEven with war over, OPEC push oil prices higher to enrich own economiesHigher cost impacted US economy everything from heating to food to electricity to gasoline

Ford Presidency 1974-1977Helsinki AccordsFord continued dtente with USSR1975 US, Canada, USSR, and most of Europe signed international agreement recognizing post WWII borders and promising respect for human rights

Carter Presidency 1977-1981Many people blamed Republicans for WatergateJimmy Carter, former Governor of Georgia, was nominated for DemocratsHe was elected as an outsider who promised to clean up Washington

Carter Presidency 1977-1981Carters main problem was economyInflation more than 10%, interest rates rose 20%, and unemployment high

Carter Domestic PolicyTo deal with economy:Energy crisisCreated Department of EnergyIncreased oil in nations Strategic Petroleum ReserveWanted special tax on large cars and power to ration gas, but Congress said no

Carter Domestic PolicyStagflationCut federal spending but inflation stayed high until 2 years laterEnvironmentProvided funds to clean up toxic dump sitesFollowing accident at Three Mile Island nuclear reactor in 1979, created Nuclear Regulatory Commission to develop stricter standards for peaceful use of nuclear energy

Carter Domestic PolicyDiversityAppointed women and minority to govt postsSponsored bill requiring public schools to provide instructions to students in their native language while trying to learn English

Carter Domestic PolicyCarter pushed Community Reinvestment Act (1977) Required banks to stop redliningBanks have to make credit available to poor communities

Carter Foreign PolicyWanted US to set a moral example to other nationsCondemned apartheid in S. Africa, pressured USSR to allow Jews to emigrate, and cut dictatorships that violated human rights

Carter Foreign PolicyPanama Canal Treaty, 1977Gave control of Canal Zone, except for canal itself, to Panama. Agreed to turn over canal by the end of the century

Carter Foreign PolicyCamp David Accords, 1977Egypt and Israel had fought each other in series of wars since 19481977 Carter invites Anwar Sadat, President of Egypt, and Menachem Begin, Prime Minster of Israel, to Camp David retreat in MarylandIsrael agreed to return Sinai Peninsula to EgyptEgypt offered peace treaty and establishment of normal diplomatic relations w/ IsraelSadat and Begin awarded Nobel Peace PrizeMany Arab leaders denounced agreementSadat assassinated by Muslim Fundamentalists

Carter Foreign PolicyUS-Soviet RelationsInitially continued dtente w/ USSRUSSR invaded Afghanistan 1979Brought temporary end to dtenteHalted grain sales to Soviets, boycotted 1980 Olympics in Moscow, proposed ratification of new arms agreement SALT II

Carter Foreign PolicyIranian Revolution and Hostage CrisisShah of Iran an ally of US but also dictator1978 widespread demonstrations broke outShah fled and Ayatollah Khomeini and other religious leaders took overFundamentalist Shiite Muslims hostile to western influence

Carter Foreign PolicyIranian Revolution and Hostage CrisisOct 1979, Shah entered US for medical treatment2 weeks later angry Iranian students seized staff of US embassy in Tehran, IranHostages blindfolded, tied up, accused of working for CIAEmbassy staff held hostage for more than a year

Carter Foreign PolicyIranian Revolution and Hostage CrisisUS imposed economic sanctions on IranOther countries supported USUSs image suffered because of inability to free hostagesAny attempt to free them failed Negotiations finally led to release on the day Carter left office

New Conservatism1980s saw resurgence of conservatismReagan and Bush decided to cut down the size of the federal govt, reducing taxes and federal regulations on business while increasing private competitionFavored strong military establishments

Roots of New ConservatismSimilar ideas as Margaret Thatcher of EnglandCombat unionsReduce taxesCut govt spendingReduce govt regulationsReagan received support from number of leading American conservative groups;NRA (National Rifle Association)Became political after Gun Control Act of 1968NRA endorsed Ronald Reagan, first time in US history

Other conservative groups:Moral MajorityMainly Fundamentalist ChristiansJerry Falwell and others were socially conservative and anti-CommunistOpposed Equal Rights AmendmentHelped get Reagan electedDissolved in 1989, our mission is accomplishedHeritage Foundationthink-tank in Washington, DCSeeks to promote principles of free-enterprise, limited govt, individual freedoms, values, and strong national defenseNon-profit lobbying group that attempts to influence legislationReagan Presidency 1981-1989Popular Hollywood actor after WWII, Reagan president of actors union before politicsOriginally a Democrat, grew more conservative because fed govt too powerful and intrusiveGovernor of California, took tough stand against student protests of 1960sLost race Republican nomination in 1968 and 1976 but won in 1980Texas Congressman George H.W. Bush running mateSwept into office over Jimmy Carter

Domestic PolicyConfident, optimistic outlookFelt individuals and businesses better able to solve economic problems than govtReversed trend of increased federal control started in Progressive Era

Domestic PolicyReaganomicsStagflation still problemSolve problem with supply-side economicsReduce taxes on businesses and regulations, easier to produce more goodsLarger supply of goods would drive down prices and stop inflationMore employment1983 economy starting to come out of recessionEncouraged greater business activityNew oil supplies from Alaska and North Sea stabilized oil prices

ReaganomicsTax cuts and domestic spendingCut taxes on businesses and wealthyGroups would invest into productivity and employment, resulting in benefits trickling down to other groupsReduced spending in welfare to financeIncreased military spendingFinanced through borrowingIncreased spending stimulated entire economy, creating demand for many goods and servicesDeregulationEliminated many fed regulations making easier for new companies to competeOrdered many regulatory agencies to cut back rule making to allow businesses greater freedomRelaxed enforcement of anti-trust laws and allowed more business mergersOther factorsWorld oil prices stabilizedNew employment in compute programming and health careTook steps against unions to allow more flexible work practicesFired air traffic controllers on strikeDomestic PolicyFederal deficit and national debtFederal deficit amount of money fed govt spends beyond what it collects in taxesReagan promised govt spending limited to taxes raisedMilitary spending caused deficit to increase and national debt more than doubled

Domestic PolicyTrade ImbalanceAmericans bought more goods and services abroad than soldImbalance led to loss of millions of jobs, closing of steel mills and auto plants, and drop in disposable income of many AmericansImmigration PolicyDeal with problem of illegal immigrants, Mazzoli-Simpson Act (1986)Legalized illegal aliens who lived continuously in US since 1981

Domestic PolicySandra Day OConnor1981 Regan nominated her as first women on US Supreme CourtBorn in El, Paso, Texas, studied in California before moving to ArizonaConservative who preferred judicial restraintEmerged in 1990s as swing vote between conservative and liberal votes on Court

Reagan Foreign PolicyWanted to rebuild American confidence after Vietnam, Watergate, and Iran Hostage CrisisUS worlds principle defender of freedom and democracy

Foreign PolicyReagan Doctrine1983 Reagan sent US Marines to Caribbean island of Grenada after Communists took over to protect Americans on island and prevent Cuba from exporting CommunismShowed Reagan willing to use force against Communism1985 introduced Reagan DoctrineUS not simply contain CommunismAttempt to roll-back Communism by aiding freedom fighters in Afghanistan, Angola, Nicaragua, and Cambodia

Foreign PolicyPeace Through StrengthBest way to prevent war was to think US had means and will to stop aggressionSharply increased military spendingProposed research into anti-ballistic defense system, the Strategic Defense Initiative (also called Star Wars)Disturbed Soviet leaders who feared own expense of developing a similar weapon system

Foreign PolicyThreat of Terrorism1982 Israeli force invaded Lebanon setting off civil war between Christians and Palestinian refugeesLebanon requests multinational force of US Marines and French paratroopers to restore order1983 suicide bomber attacked American and French barracks in Beirut, capital of Lebanon241 US Marines and 58 French paratroopers killedPresident Reagan withdrew American forces from Lebanon

Foreign PolicyThreat of TerrorismReagan would not negotiate with terrorists Bombed two cities in Libya when though leader Muammar Gaddafi supported terrorist activities that caused explosion in BerlinLibya admitted was responsible for blowing up Pan Am flight over Scotland in 1988

Foreign PolicyIran-Contra AffairSecret foreign policy operation by officials in Reagan White House1986 Reagan Administration acted against policy of negotiating with terrorists by selling arms to Iran as part of exchange deal for release of American hostages in LebanonProfits diverted to support anti-Communist Contra rebels fighting in NicaraguaDone even after Congress prohibited any US aid to Contras

Foreign PolicyIran-Contra AffairShocked nation since Reagan had denounced Iran as supporter of global terrorismInvestigation cleared President He failed to monitor actions of his top officialsSome officials convicted of lying to Congress and sent to prisonGreatly tarnished Americas credibility with the worldLed many citizens to seriously question trust in govt officialsReagan continued to enjoy strong support among most of American public

Triumph of DemocracyPhilippines and Latin American, dictatorships and military govts suddenly replaced by democratically-elected govtsEnd of Reagan Presidency saw beginnings of end of Cold WarReagan called Soviet Union Evil EmpireMikhail Gorbachev became leader of Soviet Communist Party in 1985Failure of Soviet economic and political system forced Gorbachev to introduce reforms in Soviet Union

Triumph of DemocracyGorbachev withdrew troops from AfghanistanAllowed peaceful changes to take place in E. EuropeReagan and Gorbachev held series of conferencesSigned agreement to dismantle thousands of nuclear warheads

Triumph of DemocracyHistorians conflict over Reagans role over winding down Cold WarCritics says accidental beneficiary of Gorbachevs reformsSupporters believed he played essential roll in processReagans defense of freedom and democracy, roll-back policy, and threat of Star Wars