Richard Nixon

Political Background

•Review:▫How did Nixon get his political start? ▫Why was his first attempt to become

president (1960) unsuccessful? ▫Why was his second attempt to become

president (1968) so successful?

Environmental Issues• 1962 Silent Spring – Book by Rachel Carson; warned of harmful

effects of chemicals• 1970 – Earth Day demonstrations–Nixon responded with Clean Air Act which

regulated pollution• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Repaired damage already done to environment– Established new criteria to make a cleaner

environment

Foreign Policies• Realpolitik:

▫ realistic approach to politics based on what’s best for the nation

• Détente: ▫ reduced or lessened Cold

War tensions• SALT: Strategic Arms

Limitation Talks▫ Reduce weapons &

decrease build up of new weapons over next 5 years (with U.S.S.R.)

China

•China▫Nixon became the 1st president to visit Communist

China▫“Ping Pong” diplomacy

Why is Nixon the man to do this?▫Success in improving relations with China▫http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5V9sP_nDCM

Middle East• 1967 Six-Day War (June)

▫ Israel launched a preventative military effort to counter what they saw as an impending attack by Arab nations (Jordan, Syria & Egypt) that surrounded Israel

▫ Military disaster for Arabs & weakened morale

▫ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awnB45csHwk

• Yom Kippur War▫ Egypt & Syria launched a

surprise attack on this holiest day of prayer & fasting

▫ Although initially overwhelmed, after 2 days Israelis pushed back until the U.N. declared a cease-fire

▫ http://abcnews.go.com/Archives/video/oct-10-1973-yom-kippur-war-11128315

Developments at Home• Oil embargo

▫ Because of weaknesses in Arabic countries, many nations imposed an oil embargo which led to an energy crisis in the U.S.

▫ Led to increasing costs for nearly everything

• Apollo 11▫ 1969, Neil Armstrong,

“Buzz” Aldrin & Michael Collins landed on the moon

▫ Major NASA success▫ http://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=xLu0Ak9Blog

Election of 1972•Nixon (R) vs. George McGovern (D)

▫Eventful 1st term for Nixon▫“Plumbers” – respond to “leaks” of secrets &

investigate political enemies▫(e.g. Pentagon Papers & Daniel Ellsberg’s

psychiatrist)▫Hatched a plan to break into offices of the

Democratic National Committee at the Watergate Hotel

▫Woodward & Bernstein investigate the story▫Read pg. 675

Scandal Unfolds• Nixon was re-elected

despite continued investigation into the “Watergate scandal”▫ April 1973, Haldeman &

Erlichman (advisers); John Dean (lawyer); & attorney general all resigned but Democrats continued investigation

Butterfield’s Bombshell•Senate began its own investigation with

televised hearings▫Former presidential Aide Alexander Butterfield

revealed that since 1971 Nixon had tape-recorded all conversations in his office

▫Nixon argued “executive privilege” for privacy▫Despite subpoenas, Nixon ordered attorney

general Elliot Richardson to fire Special Prosecutor Cox He was fired when he refused (as was his assistant) Saturday Night Massacre

Watergate Ends•Public confidence in Nixon was low despite his

continued denial▫1974 Nixon released a transcript of taped

conversations but not enough▫Supreme Court finally ruled Nixon had to submit

tapes▫Without waiting for him to comply, the House

Judiciary Committee voted to recommend impeachment of the Pres. for obstruction of justice & failure to obey subpoenas > Nixon’s resignation

▫http://www.history.com/topics/watergate/videos/watergate-scandal-brings-down-richar-nixon

Gerald Ford’s Presidency •Nixon’s V.P. Spiro Agnew had resigned

due to tax issues so without a VP, Nixon chose the Republican leader in the House of Reps – Gerald Ford▫*He was the 1st president without having

been elected Pres. or VP▫Ford pardoned Nixon for any crime(s) he

may have committed▫He lost the election in 1976 to Jimmy

Carter