Richard Nixon • President of the U.S. from 1969-1974. • Highlights: – Environmentalism (CS 31) – Détente (CS 27) – Oil Embargo (CS 31) – Watergate
Environmentalism
• Greater concern about pollution and the environment • Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring discussed the danger of pesticides • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created in 1970 – Sets and enforces pollution standards – Conducts environmental research • The first “Earth Day” in 1970 • In 1970s, Congress passed 35 environmental laws – Clean Air Act (1970) – Endangered Species Act (1970)
China
• Until Nixon, U.S. feared everything communist – U.S. had not had diplomatic relations with China since 1949 – Largest communist country in Asia
1 NIXON GOES TO CHINA (1972) • 1971: China invited U.S. ping pong team for exhibition match – First Americans to step foot in China since 1949 – Diplomatic success! • Opened up door for Nixon to go
NIXON GOES TO CHINA
• Goals: – Heal Cold War tensions with China – Make China a potential trade partner – Form an alliance with them against USSR – Help end Vietnam War
Detente
• Détente: Ease the tension between U.S. and communist countries – Détente focused on peaceful negotiations and weapon limitations. – Negotiate, compromise, try to co-exist
2 NIXON GOES TO THE U.S.S.R.
• In 1972, Nixon made a trip to Moscow to meet with Leonid Brezhnev. • Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I) signed in 1972 – First treaty limiting production of nuclear weapons between U.S. and USSR – Lowered tension between the countries for first time since WWII • In 1973, Brezhnev visited the White House.
Election of 1972
• Nixon beats George McGovern 520-8. • Détente, “Peace at Hand” (Vietnam) propelled Nixon to victory
Oil Crisis (1973)
• War: Israel v. Egypt and Syria – United States backed Israel – Arab nations declared they would not sell oil to the U.S. • Within a few months, the price of a barrel of oil quadrupled! • Devastated U.S. economy
3 American Response to Oil Embargo • 55 miles per hour speed limit • Creation of the Alaskan pipeline • Heavy use of coal power • Nuclear power seemed a more viable option for cheaper energy • Oil now a weapon • Increased U.S. involvement in Middle East
Watergate
• 1972: Burglars broke into the Democratic headquarters • Nixon did not order it, but helped cover it up • Nixon forced to resign in 1974 • Gerald Ford now President – Gave Nixon a full pardon
Election of 1976
• Ford hurt by his pardon of Nixon and poor economy • Jimmy Carter nominated by the Democrats – Washington outsider – Came across as folksy and honest
4 Arab-Israeli Peace
• Carter brings Egypt and Israel to U.S. for peace negotiations • Camp David Peace Accords signed in 1978 – Historic treaty gives Israel first recognition by Arab nation – Greatest feat of Carter’s presidency
Carter’s Foreign Policy
• Détente effectively came to an end when Carter was President – USSR angered by Carter’s criticism of USSR’s human rights violations • US began negotiation with USSR to further limit making of nuclear weapons (SALT II) – Talks stalled when USSR attacked Afghanistan in 1979. – U.S. aided Afghanistan
Energy Issues • U.S. continued to study alternative energy plans under Carter – The National Energy Act (1978): Placed tax on gas- guzzling cars and encouraged the use of alternative energy – He also created the Department of Energy. • Alternative Energy Sources and Three Mile Island – U.S. increasingly using nuclear power. – A partial meltdown of a nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island eroded people’s confidence in nuclear power.
5 Election of 1980
Escalation of Cold War
• Reagan called USSR “focus of evil in the modern world” • Defeat USSR by increasing defense spending and expanding arms race • Hoping USSR would spend their way into bankruptcy (it worked) and give in to US demands
“Star Wars”
• 1983: Reagan announces U.S. investing into Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) or Star Wars • Never worked • But, did cause USSR to increase its own defense spending hurting its economy
6 Mikhail Gorbachev
• Becomes leader of USSR in 1985 • Glastnost: openness – Tried to rid USSR of repressive tactics • Perestroika: restructuring – Revive struggling Soviet economy by introducing free-market practices • Reagan and Gorbachev worked hard to end Cold War
Election of 1988
• George Bush (R) v. Michael Dukakis (D) • “Read My Lips, No New Taxes”
China, 1989
• World events showing that the communism is waning and people are moving toward democracy • June: China crushed a pro-democracy movement in Tiananmen Square – Television cameras showed this
7 Eastern Europe 1989
• Poland’s “Solidarity Movement” successful and puppet government toppled • Communist regimes in Hungary, Czech., Romania fall
Berlin Wall Falls
• December, 1989: Berlin Wall falls and the process of uniting East and West Germany begins • USSR disbands n December, 1991
Cold War Impact on U.S. Economy • Late 1980s-Early 1990s economy began to recover from 1987 recession • End of Cold War meant: – Decrease in defense spending and missile construction – Closing of a number of naval bases – Pentagon cancelled over $52 billion in defense contracts – Increase unemployment (especially California)
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