Crisis and Resurgence

The Modern Era I (1969-2000)

Notes #1

The Authors of the Constitution attempted to strike a balance between the separate branch of government (Separation of Powers)

Great Depression & The New DealBoth World Wars and the Cold WarImperial Presidency: The belief that viewed the

president as having too much power over timeRichard Nixon: The bombing of Cambodia and

Laos, and the mining of North Vietnam

The Nixon Presidency (1969-1974)

Nixon, a Republican, moved the nation into a more conservative direction

He eliminated many Great Society Programs and gave federal funds to state and local governments

Nixon put an end to the draft and advanced a broad environmental program

Domestic Policy

During Nixon’s presidency, the Supreme Court continued to protect First Amendment RightsTinker v Des Moines (1969): The Supreme

Court ruled that this violated the students’ First Amendment rights

Wisconsin v Yoder (1972): The Supreme Court struck down a Wisconsin state law that required Amish children to attend school beyond Grade 8. It violated the parents’ freedom of religion since the state’s secondary education conflicted with Amish values and beliefs

First Amendment Rights

The 1970s saw rising prices, a new trade deficit, and rising unemployment

To combat inflation, Nixon cut spending on social programs and took America off the gold standard

When these measures didn’t work, he imposed the first peacetime wage and price controls

All of these attempts to control inflation proved unsuccessful

Inflation

The Environmental Protection Agency was signed to protect the environment

It set air and water pollution standards for cities, and engages in monitoring and enforcement activities

Endangered Species Act (1973) requires the Fish and Wildlife Service to list species of plants and animals that are threatened with extinction, and then to take further steps to protect them

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

In 1923, Alice Paul, a suffragist leader and founder of the National Women’s Party, proposed the Equal Rights Amendment: “Equality of rights under

the law shall not be denied or abridged by the US or by any state on account of sex”

In 1972, the amendment finally approved by Congress, it would fail ratification by three states and introduced every year, ever since

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)

Phyllis Schlafly is an outspoken critic of the Women’s Liberation Movement“This would further deprive

women of the right to be supported and protected by men”In other words, it may lead to

unisex restrooms and require women to serve in combat roles

Phyllis Schlafly

Re-opening relations with China (1972): Nixon restored diplomatic relations with Communist ChinaNixon became the first American President to visit

mainland ChinaDétente (relaxing tensions) with the Soviet Union

(1972): In 1972, Nixon became the first President to visit Moscow, where he signed and agreement (SALT) with Soviet leaders, limiting the development of defensive missile systems

Foreign Policy

Nixon promised “law and order”, but the government was corrupt

In 1973, Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned when it was discovered that he was taking bribes while Governor of Maryland

Nixon appointed Gerald Ford, a Michigan Congressman, as his new Vice-President

Vice President Ford Takes Office

In 1972, a group of former CIA agents were caught breaking into Democratic Party Headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington D.C.

Nixon tried to cover it up as national securityIt came out that Nixon had recorded all of his

own White House conversationsNixon claimed Executive Privilege to the

tapesUnited States v Nixon (1974), ruled that

Nixon must turn over the tapes, reaffirming the principle that no one is above the law

The Watergate Crisis

The tapes revealed that Nixon had lied about his involvement in the cover up

The House of Representatives moved to impeach Nixon

Fearing removal, Nixon became the first President to resign

Nixon Resigns

“I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is opposed to every instinct in my body. But as President, I must put the interested of America first. America needs a full-time President, particularly at this time with [the] problems we face at home and abroad. To continue to fight through the months ahead for my personal vindication would totally absorb the time of both the President and the Congress… Therefore, I shall resign the Presidency effective at noon tomorrow.”

THE IMPACT OF WATERGATE

Lowered public confidence in government

officials

Showed that growth of

Presidential power created

new opportunities for

abuse

Showed that our government is based on laws, not individuals,

and that the system of

checks and balances works

Proved that the two-party

system works; the party out of power serves as a watchdog over

the other

Reaffirmed the role of the press in uncovering government

misconduct and informing the public

The Supreme Court preserved its

independence, ordering Nixon to

hand over the tapes

Congress passed new laws to curb

Presidential power, restoring the balance between the executive

and legislative branches

Notes #2

The Ford Presidency (1974-1977)

Ford’s first act was to pardon Nixon for crimes he had committed

Ford’s main worries were economic (inflation)Stagflation – high unemployment combined with inflationIn 1973, the Arab nations of OPEC used oil as a political

weapon – the price of oil shot upThis influenced the cost of heating a home, the prices of

food, electricity, and gasoline

In 1975, the US, Canada, the Soviet Union, and most European countries signed an international agreement known as the Helsinki Accords

The Helsinki Accords recognized post-World War II borders and promised respect for human rights

The Helsinki Accords

The Carter Presidency (1977-1981) Jimmy Carter was nominated

by the Democratic Party to oppose Ford in the 1976 election

He wanted to “Clean up” Washington

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmlcLNA8Zhc

Rachel Carson’s book Silent Springs was a latter day muckracking that exposed poisonous effects of pesticides (62), influencing Earth Day.

CARTER’S DOMESTIC POLICY

The Energy Crisis. To deal with the crisis, Carter created the

Department of Energy. He also increased the oil in the nation’s “Strategic Petroleum Reserve.” Carter sought a special tax on

large automobiles, and the power to ration gas, but Congress denied

him those powers.

Stagflation. Inflation and interest rates soared in 1979, partly due to

the oil crisis. Carter cut federal spending, but inflation did not

come down until two years later during the Reagan Presidency

The Environment. Carter provided funds to clean up toxic

dumpsites. Following an accident at the Three Mile Island nuclear

reactor in 1979, Carter created the Nuclear Regulatory

Commission to develop stricter standards for the peaceful use of

nuclear energy.

Diversity. Carter appointed women and minority members to

government posts. He also sponsored a bill requiring public schools to provide instruction to students in their native language

while trying to learn English.

Foreign Policy “We Bought.. We intend to keep it!” The Panama Canal Treaty (1977): signed a treaty

returned control of all the Canal Zone, except for the canal itself, to Panama

Camp David Accords (1977): Israel has been established as a homeland for the Jewish people by the UN in 1948Egypt and Israel fought one another in a series of

warsCarter invited Anwar Sadat (President of Egypt) and

Menachem Begin (Prime Minister of Israel) to Camp David in Maryland

Israel agreed to return the Sinai Peninsula to EgyptEgypt offered a peace treaty and the establishment of

normal diplomatic relations with Israel

A Step Towards Peace in The Middle East

Israel agreed to return the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt, while Egypt agreed to establish normal diplomatic relations with Israel. First time Arab country (Egypt) recognized Israel’s right to exist.

Carter initially continued Nixon’s policy of détente with the Soviet Union when he met with the Soviet Leader Brezhnev to sign SALT II.

During the hostage crisis in 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan.

Carter halted grain sales & high-tech machinery to the Soviets, boycotted the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, and postponed ratification of anew arms control agreement, known as SALT (Strategic Arms Limitations Talks II)-deemed “Russian Vietnam”-10 yr guerilla warfare

Foreign Policy Cont.

Shah Pahlavi of Iran was an ally with the U.S. but also a dictator who used brutal measures

After protests in 1978, he would flee the country in early 1979Ayatollah Khomeini and other Shiite Muslim religious leaders

took control declared it a republic-strict principlesOctober 1979, the Shah entered the U.S. for medical

treatment and students seized the staff of the U.S. embassy in Tehran, Iran (Nov,79) took 66-mission killed 8 Am-4 helicopters attempt

Captors of the hostages wanted him returned Hostages wouldn’t be released until Carter left office 444 dayshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7RaUQqP_E8 dochttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0Xe0gypvPU speech

The Iranian Revolution and Hostage Crisis: “Death to Carter!”

Opening of Red China Watergate Scandal

Détente with Soviets Stagflation

Panama Canal Treaty Fall of Saigon

Camp David Accords Iran Hostage Crisis

Presidents (1969-1978) (pgs 332-340/BB)

International Organizations& Domestic Organization/Policies

Nixon Doctrine= US would honor its existing defense commitments but in the future, Asians & others would have to fight their own wars w/o the support of large bodies of American ground troops (sent military aid to Persian Gulf to help Iran & Saudi Arabia instead of sending troops). Yom Kippur 73- SA embargo US oil for backing Israel.

Carter Doctrine=During his State of the Union Address (January 23, 1980), Carter stated that the U.S. would use military force if necessary to defend its national interest in the Persian Gulf region. The doctrine was a response to the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, and was intended to scare Soviet Union.

National Energy Act= (78) Carters plan to offer tax credit (pay less taxes to the govt)to those who conserved energy by insulating homes, solar energy, cut back on gas.=Didn’t stop our dependency on oil

Notes #3

The 1980s witnessed a resurgence of conservatism – the philosophy once championed by Barry Goldwater

Reagan and Bush wanted to cut down the size of the federal government

They reduced taxes and federal regulations on business, while increased private competition

They favored strong military establishments, expanding the government in one direction as reducing it in another

The New Conservatism: The Reagan and Bush Presidencies

Ronald Reagan was a Hollywood Actor and Governor of California

George H.W. Bush was his running mate

The Reagan Presidency (1981-1989)

Conservatism works to combat unions, reduce taxes, cut government spending, and reduce the amount of government regulations

National Rifle Association: promotes rifle shooting and marksmanship skills. The NRA became more political after monumental assassinations

The Moral Majority: Begun in 1979 by evangelist Jerry Falwell, it favored a strict interpretation of the Bible, and an agenda that was socially conservation and anti-Communism

Heritage Foundation: seeks to promote conservative policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, values, and a strong national defense

Roots of the New Conservatism

Tax cuts and Domestic Spending. Reagan cut taxes on businesses and the wealthy: he felt these groups would invest their tax savings to raise productivity and increase employment, resulting in benefits that would “trickle down” to other groups. To finance the tax cut, Reagan reduced spending in federal welfare programs.

Deregulation. Regan eliminated many federal regulations on industry, making it easier for new companies to compete. He ordered many regulatory agencies to cut back their rule-making and to allow businesses greater freedom. He relaxed enforcement of anti-trust laws and allowed more business mergers.

Domestic Policy

Increased Military Spending. Reagan increased military spending, which he financed through borrowing. This increased spending stimulated the entire economy, creating a demand for many goods and services.

Other Factors. World oil prices stabilized. New employment patterns created new jobs, such as computer programming and health care. Reagan took steps against unions to allow more flexible work practices. He fired air traffic controllers on strike.

Reaganomics

“Supply-side economics”; by reducing taxes and business regulations, they hoped to make it easier to produce more goods

This would drive down prices and stop inflationThe Federal Deficit (amount of money that the federal

gov. spends beyond what it collects in taxes)increased greatly under Reagan

The trade imbalance occurred when Reagan bought more goods and services abroad than they sold overseas

The Mazzoli-Simpson Act (1986) legalized illegal aliens who had lived continuously in the US Since 1981

Reaganomics

Nominate by Reagan in 1981, Sandra Day O’Connor became the first woman Justice on the US Supreme Court.

During her early years, she was conservative and believed in “judicial restraint”

Sandra Day O’Connor

The Reagan Doctrine: the US would not simply confine to the containment of Communism but also “roll-back” Communism through aid and “freedom fighters”. Reagan provided aid to these rebels fighting against Soviet-backed governments in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

“Peace through Strength”: the best way to prevent war was to make America’s enemies think the US had both the means and will to stop aggression

Star Wars: A Strategic Defense Initiative that would use lasers to shoot down missiles in order to prevent nuclear attack. Feared it would provoke a new arms race and undermine arms control agreements.

Foreign Policy

Terrorism (the use of bombing, assassination, kidnapping, or other acts of terror to ensure that a political group’s voice is heard) increased

The Iran-Contra Affair: The US was secretly selling arms to Iran for the release of hostages from Lebanon

Terrorism http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZNukeWdWnM

Mikhail Gorbachev became head of the Communist Party in 1985. He announced 2 policies with revolutionary implications: Glasnost ”openness”, and Perestroika

On June 12,1987 Reagan stood on a platform in front of the Berlin Wall (Brandenburg Gate).

These reforms, the Star Wars campaign, the “roll-back” theory, and the forthright defense of freedom and democracy would all starting winding down the Cold War.

“General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr Gorbachev tear down this wall!

The Triumph of Democracy

Notes #4

Domestic PolicyDefense SpendingSupreme Court

AppointmentsThe Recession – Rust

Belt decreaseCivil Rights – Rodney

KingAmerican with

Disabilities Act of 1990 for equal treatment

Invasion of Panama (1989) – Manuel Noriega

End of the Cold War (1989-1991)

The Gulf War (1990)- and attack against Iraq and Saddam Hussein

Somalia – humanitarian airlift

The George H.W. Bush Presidency (1989-1993)

Foreign Policy

Domestic PolicyHealth CareEconomic RecoveryThe Contract with

America – Newt Gingrich – the federal government was too large

Yugoslavia, Bosnia, and Kosovo – negotiations to prevent genocide

International Organizations – NAFTA, GATT (World Trade Organization), UN, NATO, SEATO, APEC, OAS

China – 1999 missiles

The Clinton Presidency (1993-2001)

Foreign Policy

Impeachment requires a trial and conviction by Senate, a majority vote in the House of Representatives, and a two-thirds vote in the Senate

He was impeached for committing perjury (lying under oath)

This again caused Americans to question their government leaders

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiIP_KDQmXs

Impeachment and Scandal

Bill Gates: co-founder of Microsoft, created one of the most recognized brands in the computer industry (1980s)

Sam Walton: started his own five-and-dime store in Arkansas and through hard work created Walmart and Sam’s Club (1962)

Estee Lauder: Jewish New Yorker; founded a cosmetics company with her husband and pioneered the “giveaway promotion”

Robert Johnson: first African American billionaire and founder of BET. In 1998 he sold it for 1.5 billion

Lionel Sosa: founded the largest Hispanic advertising agency in the US

Achieving the American Dream

President Ronald Reagan

Reaganomics: Notes #3

Star Wars:Notes#3

Iran-Contra Affair:Notes#3/OR 345/BB

President George H.W. Bush

Persian Gulf War: 348/BB

End of the Cold War: 348/BB

Americans with Disabilities Act:348/BB

President Bill Clinton

Economic Recovery:350/BB

Balkan Crisis:352/BB

Impeachment:351/BB