Passage to a NewCentury

Part INixon - Ford - Carter

Nixon Administration

1968-1973

Domestic Issues*High Unemployment*High Inflation*Welfare Reform*Clean Up Environment*Energy Crisis*Busing

Historical SpotlightDuring President Nixon’sfirst term, the Twenty-sixthAmendment was ratified in1971, extending voting rightsto Americans 18 years orolder.

World Affairs*Détente*Salt Treaty*Nixon visits Moscow and China

Historical SpotlightOn July 20, 1969, NeilArmstrong became thefirst person to walk onthe moon. “That’s onesmall step for man,” Armstrong said, “one giant leap for mankind.”

WatergateA scandal arising from the Nixon administration’s attempt tocover up its involvement in the 1972 break-in at the DemocraticNational Committee headquarters in the Watergate apartmentcomplex.

Television Reflects American Life1968-1980

Diversity Educational Programming Social Values

Independent WomenCultural Identity

Ford Tries to Reunite the Nation*Unelected President*Pardoned President Nixon*“Whip Inflation Now” Program*Helsinki Accords

Cambodian Communists seized anunarmed U.S. cargo ship, the Mayaguez, in 1975. Ford called the action piracy and sent U.S. Marinesto free the vessel and its crew. Gerald R. Ford

Did You Know?Gerald Ford played football at the University of Michigan from1932-1934.

Jimmy Carter 1976-1980

Domestic Issues

*Energy Crisis*Worsening Inflation*Nuclear Power*Civil Rights

Historical SpotlightThe Trans-Atlantic Pipeline, stretching acrosshundreds of miles of tundra,was completed in 1977.

Science and TechnologyOn March 28, 1979,Three Mile Island,near Harrisburg, PA, was the sight of a nuclear accident.The partial melt-down of the reactorcore caused wide-spread concern about nuclear power throughoutthe American public.

The King is GoneOn August 16, 1977,Elvis Presley died athis Memphis, TN home.

Did You Know?Jimmy Carter….*Was the first president born in a hospital.*Graduated from the Naval Academy.*Could read 2000 wpm.*Became a millionaire in the peanut industry.*Was the first president sworn in using nickname.*Won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

Carter and Foreign Affairs

In 1977, the U.S. agreed toturn over control of the Panama Canal to Panamaon December 31, 1999.

Carter called for strong diplomatic and economicpressure on countries thatviolate human rights.

In 1978, Carter brokered anhistoric peace agreement between Israel and Egypt known as the Camp DavidAccords.

In 1979, Iranian rebels ledby the Ayatollah Khomeiniseized the U.S. embassy inTehran and took 52 Americanhostages for 444 days.

1970’s Nuts and BoltsPowered by strong beats on records spun by disc jockeys, disco music got Americans dancing in the 1970s. Dressed up in polyester and silk, people boogied at nightclubs beneath colored strobe lights and mirrored balls.

During the 1970s, the yellow smiley face became an omnipresent symbol of happiness and good cheer. This perky design appealed to all ages and appeared on everything from buttons and cookie jars to neckties and sleeping bags

Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978)

In 1973, AllanBakke, a whitemale, was deniedadmission into medical school.He sued arguingthat he had beendiscriminated against on the

basis of his race.The Supreme Courtruled that racialquotas were unconstitutional, but that schools could still considerrace as a factor inadmissions.

Historical SpotlightIn 1979, Soviet troopsinvaded the country ofAfghanistan. When theyrefused to withdraw,Carter cut grain salesto the Soviet Unionand announced a boycott of the 1980Summer Olympics inMoscow.