The SeventiesThe Seventies The SeventiesThe Seventies

BeckerBeckerUS HistoryUS History

1960s in Review 1960s in Review RFK/MLK assassinations in 1968

Manson murders in California

Escalation of the Vietnam War

US astronauts on the moon

Woodstock & the Summer of Love

Richard NixonRichard Nixon Troops levels in Vietnam fall dramatically 540,000 in 1969 reduced to <30,000 in 1972 1970 invasion of Cambodia = more protests

Opposition to Nixon’s PoliciesOpposition to Nixon’s Policies

Nationwide protests on college campuses resulted in student deaths at the hands of the National Guard troops

OppositionOpposition

EDITED

Opposition to Nixon’s PoliciesOpposition to Nixon’s Policies

Four students were killed at Kent State in Ohio

Two students were killed at Jackson State in Mississippi

In response, the Senate (not the House) voted to

Peace TalksPeace TalksCongress repeals Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Sec. of State Kissinger’s secret meetings

N. Vietnam’s Le Duc Tho“peace is at hand” – premature

Mass Bombings force peace agreement

No one was immune to

protests

ArmisticeArmistice

1971 Paris Accords signedUS withdraws troops500 POWs returnedfree electionscease-fire

Armistice did not end Civil War between N/SCosts for the US

58,198 American lives$118 billionLong-term inflationary cycle

Détente With ChinaDétente With China

Nixon and Kissinger strengthened the US position in the world by taking advantage of the rift between the two Communist giants – Soviet Union and China

Their diplomacy was praised for bringing about détente – a deliberate reduction of Cold War tensions

Détente With ChinaDétente With China

Nixon knew that only an out-spoken critic of Communism could improve relations with “Red” China and Mao Zedong without appearing soft on Communism

Nixon visited Beijing in 1972and met with Chairman Maoleading to US recognition ofCommunist China in 1979

Nixon at the Great Wall

Arms Control With the USSRArms Control With the USSR

Nixon used his new relationship with China to pressure the Soviets to sign a treaty limiting antiballistic missiles (ABMs)

At the conclusion of the first round of Strategic Arms Limitations Talks (SALT1) the Soviets agreed to freeze the number of ballistic missiles carrying nuclear warheads

It did not end the Cold War but eased tensions

Nixon’s Domestic PoliciesNixon’s Domestic Policies

Republican Nixon faced a Democratic controlled Congress and had to compromise

Nixon shaped public opinion toward a more conservative agenda, which would happen again in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s

Unusual combination of economic slowdown and high inflation = Stagflation (stagnation and inflation)

Nixon’s Economic PoliciesNixon’s Economic Policies

Nixon tried to cut federal spending, leading to recession and unemployment

Adopts Keynesian economics and deficit spending in order not to alienate the middle and working class

Aug 1971, imposed 90 day wage/price freezeTook the dollar off the gold standard10% surtax on imports improve trade balanceAutomatic increases in Social Security based on cost of living (COLA)

19721972Nixon had won 1968 election with 43% of vote

Devises policy to make Republicans more attractive

Many voters disaffected by antiwar protests, black militants, school busing

He called them the “silent majority”

Nixon asked the courts to delay integration

Strategy wins votes from Southerners

1972 Election1972 Election

Democrats nominate George McGovern, liberal, antiwar candidateSegregationist George Wallace paralyzed in assassination attemptRepublicans re-nominate Nixon/AgnewRe-election assured because of Nixon’s

Foreign policy success in China/USSRWallace out of the raceMcGovern’s VP troublesNixon carried 49 states, 61% of vote

WatergateWatergate

Committee to reelect the Pres formed (CREEP)

June 1972 CREEP hires caught breaking into DNC HQ at Watergate Hotel in DC

Wiretaps on gov employees and reporters

“The Plumbers” stop leaks, discredit opponents

Break into office of Daniel Ellsberg’s psychiatrist

“Enemies list” of opposed to Nixon/War

Watergate InvestigationWatergate Investigation

No solid proof of Nixon’s involvement It was clear he had engaged in cover-upSenate investigation brings to public attention through televised hearingsLawyer John Dean links Nixon to cover upNixon aides Haldeman & Ehrlichman resignJudge John Sirica learned of promises of money and pardons to keep quietTaping system discovered in Oval OfficeTapes subpoenaed, Nixon: executive privilege

Watergate and MoreWatergate and MoreSupreme Court orders him to turn over tapes

13 minutes were missing: erased

1973 VP Spiro Agnew forced to resign

He had taken bribes as MD governor

1974 Nixon visits Moscow and Cairo but his reputation continued to slide

Impeachment ChargesImpeachment Charges

House begins impeachment hearings

House votes on 3 articles of impeachment:

obstruction of justiceabuse of powercontempt of Congress

Impeachment ChargesImpeachment ChargesAmericans shocked by contents of tapesNixon tapes friends & enemies alike: paranoid“I am not a Crook”Nixon implicated 2 days post-WatergateNixon chooses to resign on Aug 9, 1974

October War and OilOctober War and Oil1967 6-Day War on Israel

Egypt and Syria with USSR supportUS backs Israel with $2B in supplies

OPEC imposes oil embargo on USWorldwide oil shortageLong gas lines, job losses Lower standard of living

Efficient Japanese-made vehicles sell55mph speed limitAlaska Oil Pipeline approved

Oil PricesOil Prices

President FordPresident Ford

Low respect: “can’t walk and chew gum at the same time”Ford becomes first president appointed by CongressGives Nixon full pardon for any crimesAccused of “corrupt bargain” with NixonFord counters that it was time to end the “national nightmare”Nixon’s aides do go prison for crimes

Ford’s Foreign PolicyFord’s Foreign PolicyApril 1975 US cuts $$ to S Vietnam

Vietnam unified under CommunismUS leaves 150K supporters: execution

Cambodia also falls to Khmer Rouge1M Cambodians killed in genocide

Domino Theory legitimizedOnly Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia remain free nations

Did US involvement save those nations?

Domestic IssuesDomestic IssuesFord attempts to control inflation

Slogan WIN – Whip Inflation NowEconomy sinks deeper Unemployment rises to 9%

Social IssuesTitle IX passes: gender equality in EdERA passes Congress, fails ratification1973 Roe v Wade divides nation on abortion“White flight” continues from city to suburbDesegregation slow: Milliken v BradleyUS v Wheeler gives Indians limited sovereignty in the US

Election of 1776Election of 1776Ford’s Nixon pardon not forgotten

Republicans nominate FordDemocrats nominate Jimmy Carter Georgia governor and peanut farmer Runs as outsider against corruption“I’ll never lie to you.”

Wins a close victory against unpopular Ford297 – 240 electoral votes

Election 1976Election 1976

Carter’s AdministrationCarter’s Administration

Informal style, walks to the White House on inauguration day

He was an outsider, not accustomed to dealing with Congress

Never really becomes an insider or quite understands Washington

Economic problems haunt domestic policies

Domestic Policy under CarterDomestic Policy under Carter Creates the Dept of Energy to address

high oil prices and oil shortage Proposes and secures an $18B tax cut

to address inflation concerns Pardons draft-dodgers of the Vietnam-

war era Still, double-digit inflation (13%) and

trade deficit steadily rise Federal deficit climbs to $60B as

Carter continues to spend

Carter’s Foreign PolicyCarter’s Foreign Policy Carter’s foreign policy focuses on human rights around the world

Denounced oppression of black majority in S. Africa and Rhodesia (Zimbabwe)

Human rights violations in Argentina and Chile led to Carter cutting off their aid

Carter rewrites Panama Canal Treaty to return the canal to Panama by 2000

Camp David AccordsCamp David Accords Carter’s greatest achievement was peace between Egypt and Israel

Egyptian president Sadat, visited Israeli Prime Minister Begin in Jerusalem

Meet again at Camp David where Carter negotiated a peace settlement

Egypt is first Arab country to recognize Israel Israel gives back Sinai Peninsula The PLO and other Arab countries opposed

Carter’s Foreign PolicyCarter’s Foreign Policy

Middle East also destroys Carter’s presidency Islamic fundamentalists in Iran, led by the Ayatollah Khomeini, overthrow government The Shah had kept the oil flowing to US Now, Iran stops oil production, causing a second world-wide oil shortage Nov 1979, Iranian militants seized the US embassy in Tehran and capture 50+ hostages

Carter tries to negotiate release- no success April 1980, Carter approved a rescue mission but fails when choppers break down in desert

Carter’s Foreign PolicyCarter’s Foreign Policy Carter’s failed attempt to rescue the hostages mirrors failed attempt at the presidency

Carter attempts to continue the Nixon-Ford policy of détente with China and USSR

In 1979, the US sends first ambassador to communist China

The USSR signed the SALT II treaty in 1979

Carter’s Foreign PolicyCarter’s Foreign Policy Russians invaded/occupied Afghanistan Senate refused to ratify the treaty US fears Soviet control the Persian Gulf

Carter reacted by Placing an embargo on USSR Boycotting the 1980 Olympics in Moscow

Approval rating sinks to 23% Carter blames a spiritual crisis in US US citizens blame Carter’s focus on world

Carter’s Domestic PolicyCarter’s Domestic Policy

Carter’s intelligence, effort, humanity and integrity were not enough to keep him popular and his approval rating sank to 23%

Then he blamed America for its problems – a “moral and spiritual crisis”

America blamed Carter

The Dems nominated him in 1980 to run against Republican nominee George H W Bush