Nixon Administration. 1968-1974.

Election of 1968.

Richard Nixon v. Hubert Humphrey.

George Wallace as the wild card.

Nixon’s “Southern” Strategy.

Why were the Democrats now vulnerable in the South?

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Nixon’s Plan.

• Law and Order!

• New Federalism: Federal revenue sharing.

• Family Assistance Plan. Encouraged people to work.

Foreign Policy.

• Henry Kissinger, National Security Advisor.

• Foreign policy based on PRACTICAL actions rather than IDEOLOGIES.

• Nixon MAY have been the best foreign policy president ever.

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Establishment of Détente.

• Détente: A “warming of relations” with Soviet Union and China.

• A “bipolar” world must be replace with a “multipolar world.

• Nixon visits China to ease tensions.

• Radical political move!

Soviets React to China “Card.”

• Soviets and China hate each other.

• Soviets afraid of a U.S. and China alliance. Want SUMMIT.

• One third of Soviet Military on China boarder.

• Cold War warms up a bit in early 70’s.

Watergate Scandal. 1972

• Nixon was a tad paranoid. Had an enemies list of people he wanted to monitor.

• Nixon ran against George McGovern in 1972.

• McGovern had no chance.• Didn’t matter, Nixon’s team used “Dirty”

tricks and “Plumbers.”

Bugging Democratic Headquarters.

• Nixon covert operators caught by police trying steal information and “bug” the Democrats.

It was discovered that these “burglars” work for the Co. to Reelection of the President.

The cover-up begins by the White House staff and President.

Nixon Wins reelection in Landslide. 1972.

• Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein of the WASHINGTON POST investigate the cover up. Deep Throat.

• Watergate hearings reveal many laws broken by Nixon administration and campaign co.

• Oval office microphone tapes revealed.

Cover Up Crumbles.

• John Dean spills the beans!

• Senate wants tapes.

• Nixon claims “Executive” privilege.

• Supreme Court rules 9-0 against Nixon.

• Nixon IMPEACHED.

• He resigns Aug. 1974.

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Impact of Watergate.

• Federal Campaign Act.

• Deep distrust of government by many Americans.

• Weakened Presidency/Strong Congress.

• Deeply wounded Republican Party.

Ford and Carter. 1974-1980.

• Inflation rips economy.• Organization of Petroleum Exporting

Countries. OPEC. Embargoed oil to U.S./Western Europe.

• U.S. support for Israel. Yom Kipper War of 1973.

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What Caused the Inflation?

• Vietnam War fought on borrowed money.

• Great Society reforms cost big money.

• Oil went from $3.00 a barrel to $12.00 a barrel in a matter of months.

• Inflation= “Too many dollars chasing too few goods.”

Stagnant Economy.

• Many U.S. factories were old and not competitive with Japan/Western Europe.

• Many factories closed=Higher unemployment.

• Recession= Two back to back quarters of declining G.D.P.

Stagflation.

• Worst of both worlds.

• High unemployment and higher and higher prices.

• Economist thought this situation impossible.

• Why?

How to Fight Stagflation?

• Raise interest rates?

• Spend government money to stimulate the economy?

• One aggravates the other.

• A true no win situation!

Fords Foreign Policy.

• Continued with détente.

• Negotiated Helsinki Accords:

• Recognized Soviet Union’s domination of Eastern Europe.

• Soviets must allow basic human rights and freedom of cross border movement.

Helsinki Accords Fails.• Soviets fail to live up to agreement.

• Americans begin to sour on détente.

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Election of 1976.

• Gerald Ford v. Jimmy Carter.

• Voters done with Republicans for awhile.

• Carter wins with 50.1 percent.

• Electoral College: Carter-297, Ford-240.

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Carter Battles Economic Crisis. 1976.

• Tried to end recession with government spending.

• Inflation surged by 1978.

• Tried to reduce money supply to curb inflation.

• He had no success.

“Moral Equivalent To War.”

• Carter declared war on U.S. oil consumption.

• Oil prices were undermining U.S. economy.

• Gas shortages angered Americans.

• Carter asked Americans to make energy sacrifices. Not popular!

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Carter Foreign Policy.

• Foreign policy based on human rights and morality.

• Returned Panama Canal to Panamanians.• Accused Soviet Union of human rights

violations.

Camp David Accords.

• Carter helped broker a peace accord between Israel and Egypt. 1978.

• VERY HISTORIC!

• Without Egypt, other Arab states can’t make war against Israel.

Sadat Opens the Door of Peace.

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Carter’s Fall. Iran.

• Iranian Islamic fundamentalists, lead by the Ayatollah Khomeini, over throw the Shah.

• Shah very repressive.

• Fundamentalists didn’t want shah to “Westernize” Iran.

American Embassy Taken.

• Fundamentalist Revolutionary Guard take 52 American embassy worker hostage.

• They wanted the Shah returned for trial.• U.S. refused.• Rescue attempt fails. Fiasco!• Hostages held for 444 days until Reagan

sworn in to office. 1981.• Hostage situation cost Carter presidency.

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Soviets Invade Afghanistan. 1979.

Soviets invade to prop up Marist government,

Détente dead.

U.S. boycott Olympics held in Moscow. 1980.

In the end, this invasion will help cause down fall of Soviet Union.

Soviet Threat to Western Oil and Warm Water Port?

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1970’s, the ME Generation.

• New age movement: Secular beliefs, self healing, spiritual enlightenment, and, people are responsible for every thing.

• Activities such as: yoga, martial arts, TM, meditation, and finding Zen.

• Music: Disco, John Travolta. Sat. Night Fever, and the Bee Gee’s.