The Vietnam War Years

A Crisis In Confidence Nixon and the Cold War

Nixon Redefines Foreign Policy In dealing with foreign affairs, Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger (Secretary of State) employed the idea of realpolitik. Realpolitik – Politics based on power and strength rather than morals. Détente – An attempt to ease tensions The Nixon administration came up with a between the US and USSR. new communism policy called détente.

Playing the China Card

China invited an American table-tennis team to PING-PONG play against their athletes. This small action DIPLOMACY demonstrated China’s willingness to talk.

In 1972 Richard Nixon became the first US President to visit communist China. The visit was a great success . and an important step towards normalizing diplomatic relations with China.

STRATEGIC ARMS LIMITATION TREATY Following the success in China, Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev invited Nixon to visit Moscow. SALT froze the deployment of intercontinental missiles (ICBMS), but it did NOT stop the stockpiling of weapons.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ A Crisis In Confidence Nixon & The Watergate Scandal

Nixon’s Policies Target Middle America Silent Majority – A significant Nixon’s 1968 campaign for President, Nixon number of Americans who supported his policies but chose not to express became a spokesman for the Silent Majority. their views. NIXON’S PROGRAM Nixon’s programs dismantled federal programs and NEW FEDERALISM gave more control to state and local governments. Nixon’s program provided funds to state and local agencies, which was intended to increase their power, but it actually led to a greater dependency on federal funds.

New Government Agencies created: 1. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 2. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) 3. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Nixon Follows A Southern Strategy Nixon targeted blue-collar workers and southern whites, “SOUTHERN STRATEGY” 1972 ELECTION both of whom traditionally voted for Democrats. Nixon appealed to the southern states by: 1. Promising to appoint conservatives to the Supreme Court. 2. Nominating a vice president acceptable to the Democratic Party.

Historical Significance: Nixon was the 1st Republican to sweep the entire south.

SPIRO AGNEW Watergate Scandals Brings Down Nixon  Nixon and his supporters had been overly concerned about his re-election and ended up involved in a scandal.  Nixon’s supporters broke into the Democratic Nation Committee headquarters in the Watergate office complex to locate campaign information and install wiretaps on telephones.  These supporters were caught and arrested. The Nixon administration tried to cover up any involvement to the break-in. Nixon denied any and all involvement.

 Case of the Tapes: Nixon had installed a taping system in the White House to record all conversations.  Investigators wanted these tapes; but Nixon refused and pleaded executive privilege.  Supreme Court Case: US v. Nixon: Ruled that presidential power is not above the law and that it cannot be used to protect evidence that may be sued in a criminal trial.  Nixon has to turn over the unedited tapes.  Nixon turns over tapes but crucial parts of conversations are missing.  The House of Representatives to vote on impeachment. Support dwindled for Nixon and he would be impeached.  Nixon decided to resign!! Spiro Agnew resigned due to a scandal (taking bribes). Gerald Ford the Republican leader of the House of Representatives became the new VP.

Executive Privilege – Historical Significance: The Watergate The principle that the scandal shook the public’s confidence in president has the right to the government, but also showed the keep certain strength of the systems of checks and information balances. confidential.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ A Crisis In Confidence Ford & Carter Years

Ford Faces Political & Economical Woes Ford’s Presidency did not go well: 1. Ford issues a pardon of Nixon in an attempt to restore American faith in government. 2. Ford’s continuation of détente with the Helsinki Accords, turned many Americans against the policy.

Helsinki Accords – Post WWII European borders were to be permanent, and the signers agreed to respect human rights. Soviets later go back on this promise.

Stagflation began during Nixon’s Stagflation – Economic condition presidency and continues with Ford’s. created by high inflation combined with stagnant economic growth and high unemployment. 3. Ford’s economic plan Whip Inflation Now. WIN called for a reduced dependency on oil and an increased interest rate. This was a complete failure!

A Washington “Outsider” Carter’s Domestic Policies Include:  Vietnam – Granted amnesty, or political pardons, to Americans who evaded the draft during the Vietnam War.  Stagflation – Increased government spending, cut taxes, raised interest rates. All things proved unsuccessful.  Energy Crisis – Asked Congress to create the Department of Energy . because of our dependence on foreign oil.

Rustbelt to Sunbelt Political power begins shifting from the northeast to the southeast. A Crisis In Confidence Foreign Policy Troubles

Carter Changes Course BOYCOTT OF 1980 The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to help out a failing SUMMER OLYMPICS communist government. Carter imposed sanctions, one of which was a boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympic Games held in Moscow.

Historical Significance: The Olympic games became a platform for political lobbying.

Carter signed the Panama Canal Treaty and PANAMA Neutrality Treaty promising to give control of CANAL the canal to the Panamanians by the year 1999.

CAMP DAVID ACCORDS Negotiations between Egypt and Israel took place over 12 days at Camp David. The peace treaty between the two nations had been difficult.

Most Arab nations opposed the treaty, but it marked the first step toward peace in the Middle East.

IRAN HOSTAGE The Shah of Iran was dying of cancer and CRISIS facing a rebellion at home, so he fled to the US to seek medical treatment. Ayatollah Khomini took power.

The US embassy in Iran was invaded and 66 Americans were held hostage. Carter’s last year of his presidency was centered on getting these hostages released, but he was unable to find success. **Carter has done more since he has left the presidency then perhaps any other president. He has been a proponent for human rights. Carter is also responsible for the creation of Habitat for Humanity. **