The Artios Home Companion Series Unit 25: A Time of Malaise
Teacher Overvie w
Despite the turbulence of the 1960s, the decade closed on a high note with the Apollo 11 space mission, by which the first humans in history landed on the moon. On July 20, 1969, Americans Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin separated the Lunar Module Eagle from the Command Module Columbia and set down on the lunar surface. Six hours later, on July 21, Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon, proclaiming to a worldwide television audience that the event was “one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.” Fulfilling the goal set eight years earlier by the late President John F. Kennedy of “landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth” before the decade was out, the Apollo 11 mission brought Space Race victory to the United States and raised national hopes for a new era of peace, prosperity, and international cooperation. Unfortunately, things went terribly wrong in the 1970s. The United States was supposed to be a superpower, yet American forces proved powerless to stop a tiny guerrilla force in Vietnam. Support for Israel in the Middle East triggered a rash of terrorism against American citizens traveling abroad, as well a punitive oil embargo that stifled the economy and forced American motorists to wait hours for their next tank of gasoline. A hostile new government in Iran held fifty-two American citizens hostage before the eyes of the incredulous world. The détente with the Soviet Union from the Nixon years dissolved into bitter animosity when a second arms control agreement failed in the Senate and a Soviet army of invasion marched into Afghanistan. The United States military juggernaut seemed to have reached its limits. At home, the news was no better. The worst political scandal in United States history forced a president to resign before facing certain impeachment. Months of investigation turned into years of untangling a web of government deceit. Details of illegal, unethical, and immoral acts by members of the White House staff covered the nation’s newspapers. Upon resignation, the president was granted a full and complete pardon. Many Americans wondered what happened to justice and accountability. The booming economy sputtered to a halt. Inflation approached 20% and unemployment neared 10%—a combination previously thought to be impossible. Crime rates rose as tales of the decaying inner cities fell on deaf ears. A nuclear disaster of unspeakable proportions was barely averted at the Three Mile Island fission plant in Pennsylvania. Many Americans coped with the current ailments by turning inward. Outlandish fashion and outrageous fads such as streaking, mood rings, and pet rocks became common. Younger Americans finished their workweeks and sought escape in discotheques. Controversy surrounding decaying morality surfaced with regard to increased drug use, sexual promiscuity, and a rising divorce rate. As a result, Christian leaders and organizations spoke out, hoping to change the direction in which the nation was headed.
Modern: Elementary Unit 25: A Time of Malaise Page 284 The United States celebrated its bicentennial anniversary in 1976 without the expected accompanying optimism. Instead, while many reflected on the past laurels of American success, an overarching question was on the minds of the American people: what had gone wrong?
The only full-body photograph of Neil Armstrong on the moon shows him working at the Apollo 11 lunar module Eagle on July 20, 1969. The first man to set foot on the lunar surface was inadvertently captured on film by Buzz Aldrin, who was tasked with taking a series of panoramic photos. (Credit NASA)
Reading and Assignments Based on your student’s age and ability, the reading in this unit may be read aloud to the student and journaling and notebook pages may be completed orally. Likewise, other assignments can be done with an appropriate combination of independent and guided study.
In this unit, students will: Complete four lessons in which they will learn about the events during the Johnson, Nixon and Carter administration that led to a feeling of discouragement and disillusionment among the American people. Visit www.ArtiosHCS.com for additional resources.
Leading Ideas Honesty is a character quality to be desired. The Lord detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please Him. — Proverbs 20:23 Modern: Elementary Unit 25: A Time of Malaise Page 285 The Bible provides the ethics upon which to judge people and nations. — Exodus 20:1-17
God is sovereign over the affairs of men. From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. — Acts 17:26
Key People, Places, and Events President Lyndon Johnson Bob Woodward Vietnam War Vice President Spiro Agnew Justice Thurgood Marshall Carl Bernstein Martin Luther King, Jr. President Gerald Ford Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy First Lady Betty Ford President Richard Milhous Nixon President Jimmy Carter Watergate
Modern: Elementary Unit 25: A Time of Malaise Page 286 L e s s o n O n e
History Overview and Assignments Lyndon in Trouble
Lyndon Johnson faced many challenges during his presidency including the Vietnam War. His dishonesty with the American people regarding the status of the war caused a deep distrust with the American people. Television revealed to the American people that he wasn’t telling the truth, setting off a chain of negative public reaction by the people.
Reading and Assignments
Read Chapter 28 in the book A History of US: All the People, “Lyndon in Trouble.” After reading the chapter, summarize OR ▪ Completing an appropriate notebook page. Either way, be sure to include the answers to the discussion questions and an overview of key people, dates, and events in your summary. Visit www.ArtiosHCS.com for additional resources.
Discussion Questions Vietnam War protests at the Pentagon. By the time this photo was taken in Washington, D.C. 1. What influence did television have on in October 1967, support for the Vietnam War the presidency of Lyndon Johnson, and was dropping and the anti-Vietnam War why? movement was gaining momentum. 2. Describe some of the public’s reactions and responses to the war in Vietnam. Key People, Places, and 3. List some of the groups who were Events becoming vocal for equal rights during President Lyndon Johnson this time. Vietnam War Justice Thurgood Marshall
Modern: Elementary Unit 25: A Time of Malaise Page 287 L e s s o n T w o
History Overview and Assignments Up to the Mountain
The assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a shock to the nation. Robert Kennedy expressed his sentiments on the assassination in the following words: “Martin Luther King dedicated his life to love and to justice for his fellow human beings, and he died because of that effort. In this difficult day, in this difficult time for the United States, it is perhaps well to ask what kind of a nation we are and what direction we want to move in. For those of you who are black - considering the evidence there evidently is that there were white people who were responsible – you can be filled with bitterness, with hatred, and a desire for revenge. We can move in that direction as a country…black people amongst black, white people amongst white, filled with hatred toward one another. Or we can make an effort, as Martin Luther King did, to understand and to comprehend, and to replace that violence, that stain of bloodshed that has spread across our land, with an effort to understand with compassion and love.”
Reading and Assignments
Read Chapter 33 in the book A History of US: All the People, “Up to the Mountain.” After reading the chapter, summarize the story you read by either: ▪ Retelling it out loud to your teacher or parent. OR ▪ Completing an appropriate notebook page. Either way, be sure to include the answers to the discussion questions and The tomb of Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott an overview of key people, dates, and King, located on the grounds of the King Center in events in your summary. Atlanta Visit www.ArtiosHCS.com for additional resources.
Key People, Places, and Events Martin Luther King, Jr. Attorney General Robert Kennedy President Lyndon B. Johnson
Discussion Questions 1. Describe the events surrounding the 2. Describe the reactions to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. assassination.
Modern: Elementary Unit 25: A Time of Malaise Page 288 L esson Three
History Overview and Assignments Nixon: Vietnam, China, and Watergate
President Richard Nixon was a brilliant man and a brilliant politician. However, there seemed to be two extreme and contrasting sides to his personality. Although he was bright and capable and talked of “law of order,” there was another side to him that had no respect for the law when it affected him. This was demonstrated in his involvement in the Watergate scandal.
Reading and Assignments
Read Chapter 36 in the book A History of US: All the People, “Nixon: Vietnam, China and Watergate.” After reading the chapter, summarize the story you read by either: ▪ Retelling it out loud to your teacher or parent. OR ▪ Completing an appropriate notebook page. Either way, be sure to include an overview of key people, dates, and events in your summary. Describe the events surrounding the Watergate Scandal. Visit www.ArtiosHCS.com for additional resources. Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913 – April 22, 1994) 37th President of the United States
Key People, Places, and Events President Richard Milhous Nixon Vietnam War Watergate Bob Woodward Carl Bernstein Vice President Spiro Agnew
Spiro Theodore Agnew November 9, 1918 – September 17, 1996 39th Vice President of the United States
Modern: Elementary Unit 25: A Time of Malaise Page 289 Lesson Four
History Overview and Assignments A Congressman and a Peanut Farmer
The circumstances that led to Gerald Ford becoming president were by far some of the most unique in history. During Ford’s presidency, the last U.S. troops and support workers were brought home from Vietnam, and Vietnam would go down as the worst American foreign policy defeat in the country’s history. The country’s negative view of the war and of the Nixon administration laid the groundwork for the election of Jimmy Carter. Carter was a southern Democrat with moderate views on economics and more liberal views on civil rights. After his election, Carter never seemed to capture the affection or the trust of the American people. He was not a great communicator and when he ran for reelection, he was defeated.
Reading and Assignments
Read Chapter 37 in the book A History of US: All the People, “A Congressman and a Peanut Farmer.” After reading the chapter, summarize the story you read by either: ▪ Retelling it out loud to your teacher or parent. OR ▪ Completing an appropriate notebook page. Either way, be sure to include the answers to the discussion questions and an overview of key people, dates, and events in your summary. Visit www.ArtiosHCS.com for additional resources. James Earl “Jimmy” Carter, Jr. (born October 1, 1924) 39th President of the United States
Key People, Places, and Events President Gerald Ford First Lady Betty Ford President Jimmy Carter
Discussion Questions 1. How did Gerald Ford become president 2. What type of First Lady was Betty Ford? of the United States?
Modern: Elementary Unit 25: A Time of Malaise Page 290 3. What type of background did Jimmy 4. What were some of the challenges that Carter have as he came to the Carter faced during his presidency? presidency? 5. How did these challenges affect the American people?
Rosalynn Carter, wife of the thirty-ninth U.S. president, Jimmy Carter, forged a career in public service as one of the nation’s foremost advocates for mental health. Her lifelong dedication to improving life for women, children, the elderly, people with mental illness, and impoverished people worldwide earned her recognition in 2001 as one of only three first ladies ever inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame.
Official presidential portrait of Gerald Ford Official White House photograph, 1974 Gerald Rudolph “Jerry” Ford, Jr. First Lady of the United States, (born Leslie Lynch King, Jr.) Elizabeth Ann “Betty” (Bloomer) Ford July 14, 1913 – December 26, 2006 April 8, 1918 – July 8, 2011 38th President of the United States
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