The Rise and Fall of Richard Nixon

Unit 5

Lesson

Big Idea

Nixon worked to lead the country in a new, more conservative, direction; however any accomplishment is negated by the Watergate Scandal.

Warm Up:

What was Nixon’s campaign promise?

Peace w/honor abroad Law & order at home

1968 Election

(D) Humphrey (R) Nixon (I) Wallace

Intense political process

Nixon wins close vote Law & Order @ home Peace w/honor abroad

The Nixon Administration

“Imperial presidency”

“President’s Men” HR Haldeman- Chief of Staff John Erlichman- Domestic Advisor John Mitchell- Attorney General John Dean- Presidential Counsel

Henry Kissinger- Secretary of State

Domestic Agenda – New Conservatism

Economic Problems Inflation and

unemployment on rise

Dependence on foreign oil (prices ↑)

Solutions Raise taxes and cut

budget Raise interest rates Price, wage, rent

controls

OPEC Embargo = Recession

Domestic Agenda – New Conservatism

Size of Federal Government Great Society- Too

much fed responsibility

Did increase Soc Sec, Medicare, and Medicaid!

Welfare inefficient

Solutions New Federalism- share

certain responsibilities w/states

Revenue Sharing Impoundment- Withheld

fed $ for programs he didn’t like (unconstitutional)

Family Assistance Plan- basic income, job training

Domestic Agenda – New Conservatism

Domestic Upheaval Press Leaks Antiwar Protestors,

Student Radicals, Counterculture

Rising crime, growing drug use, racial violence/riots

Liberal Ct and Brown II – speedy desegregation

Solutions Justice Dept Wiretaps,

FBI investigations, IRS audits, Enemies List

VP Spiro Agnew- Vocal lashings of media and liberals

Southern Strategy – opposed extending VRA, interfered w/desegregation

Appt 4 conservative SC justices (Warren Burger)

A New Foreign Policy

• Henry Kissinger▫ Realpolitik – evaluate

nation’s power, not political ideals

• Détente▫ Relaxing tension

w/Communist nations

                                           

Ping Pong Diplomacy & China

’70 shouldn’t isolate China

UN recognition ‘71

‘71 end travel ban & trade embargo

’72 Visit (1st Pres ever)

Détente with the Soviet Union

’72 Visit to Moscow

Brezhnev Explore space Ease trade limits Weapons pact

SALT I

Peace With Honor in Vietnam

Vietnamization Gradual withdraw

US troops

Increased scope

Paris Peace Accords Jan 1973

Nixon’s Downfall

Suspicion and Deceit Not enough credit for

accomplishments Fear of losing “Enemies List” “Plumbers” stop leaks

w/wiretaps of staff and reporters, mail

CREEP

Committee to Reelect the President John Mitchell

Fund-raising

G. Gordon Liddy Dirty Tricks

Fake letters, gossip Hecklers Spies

Watergate

DNC headquarters

June 17, 1972 “Burglary” Tap phones Photograph strategies CAUGHT…with

CREEP $!!!!!!

Activity: The Cover Up

Use the reading handout to complete the timeline of major Watergate events.

Video: http://youtu.be/nFID6Qkwh88

Effects of Watergate

Nixon resigns in light of impeachment 69 charged, 48 guilty 25 ppl in admin serve

prison terms

Lack public trust Angry Congress =

Balance of powers Cynical media

Who was Deep Throat?

5-31-2005 FBI Deputy Director

Mark Felt

Activity

The Nixon Years

Closure

What were Nixon’s major domestic goals?

Reduce inflation New Federalism – decrease size & role fed govt Strengthen law & order Southern Strategy – slow civil rights, appt

conservative justices