Richard Nixon Administration

Aim: How did Nixon’s presidency impact Americans’

view on politics?

Do Now: List 4 facts about the Cuban Missile Crisis

Foreign Policy

• Nixon’s foreign policy had at least 3 Major Successes:

• 1. US got out of the Vietnam War

• 2. Visit to China leading to later recognizing the People’s Republic of China

• 3.Arms Control with the Soviet Union

Nixon and Kissinger• Nixon and Kissinger

began to take advantage of the rivalry between the two Communist giants, China and the Soviet Union.

• Their diplomacy was praised for bringing about détente, a deliberate reduction of Cold War tensions.

Visit to China

•After a series of secret negotiations with Chinese leaders, in February 1972, Nixon traveled to Beijing.

•The visit was extensively covered on television. This trip led to the US later recognizing the government of the People’s Republic of China.

Visit to USSR

• In May, 1972, Nixon visited the Soviet Union and met with Soviet leader, Leonid Brezhnev.

• US and China put pressure on the Soviets to agree to a treaty limiting antiballistic missiles.

• This led to the Strategic Arms Limitations Talks (SALT I)

Economy•During Nixon’s administration, the US suffered from a combination of Inflation and Unemployment which is called “Stagflation”.

•Nixon’s cutting of the government spending contributed to a recession.

Trouble in the Middle East

• October 6, 1973: Syrians and Egyptians launched an attack on Israel in an attempt to recover lands lost in the Six Day War in 1967.

•Nixon ordered US nuclear forces on alert and we shipped $2 billion in arms to Israel. This helped Israel take control of the war.

OPEC Oil Embargo

• In response to the US support of Israel, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) placed an embargo on oil sold to Israel’s supporters.

• This caused a worldwide shortage and long lines at gas stations in the US

Nixon’s Paranoia• The White House had compiled an “enemies list”

of prominent Americans who opposed Nixon, the Vietnam War, or both.

• People on this list were investigated by government agencies such as the IRS.

• “Plumbers”- a group of former covert government agents who were in charge of plugging security and information leaks in the administration.

CREEP• The Committee to Re-Elect the

President had also committed a series of illegal activities.

• The Democratic Party had nominated George McGovern to run against Nixon in the 1972 election.

• In June, 1972 a group of men hired by CREEP were caught breaking into the offices of the Democratic National Committee Headquarters at the Watergate Complex in Washington, D.C.

• These men were found guilty and sent to prison.

• Nixon overwhelmingly defeated McGovern.

• Two Washington Post reporters, Robert Woodward, and Carl Bernstein, published a story claiming these burglars had ties to the Nixon administration.

• Also, information was uncovered showing that money and possible pardons had been promised to the burglars in exchange for their silence.

START HERE• Congress investigates Nixon.• Nixon turned over transcripts of the tapes,

but the Supreme Court eventually forced Nixon to turn over the tapes

• The released tapes clearly showed Nixon had engaged in the cover-up only days after the Watergate break-in.

• The House Judiciary committee voted three articles of impeachment: obstruction of justice; abuse of power; and contempt of Congress.

Resignation

• Faced with certain impeachment, Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974.

• His appointed Vice President, Gerald Ford, then took the oath of office.

Summary

• How did Nixon impact the US socially, politically, and economically? Explain in 5-6 sentences.

Aim: How did Presidents Ford and Carter impact the US?

Do Now: List 4 facts about President Nixon

President Ford

• Was the first president take office without being elected

• Pardoned Nixon

• War Powers Act—limited presidential power in war

President Carter

• Signed SALT II treaty with Soviet Union to limit the production of nuclear weapons

• Signed treaty that turned control of Panama Canal back to Panama– Strengthened US relationship with Panama

President Carter• Camp David Accords: Carter mediated an

agreement between Israel and Jordan that attempted to bring about peace the Middle East

• Iran Hostage Crisis: Muslim religious leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, led a rebellion against the Shah (king) who was an ally of the US.– Shah received cancer treatment in the

US– Rebels were outraged and took 52

Americans hostage