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Nixon Testing the Superpower 1968-1974 Nixon’s Staff Although he had a reserved and remote personality, many Americans respected Nixon for his experience and service. Believing that the executive branch needed to be strong, Nixon gathered a close circle of trusted advisors around him. Nixon’s Close Advisors John Mitchell — Asked to be Attorney General after working with Nixon’s campaign in New York, Mitchell often spoke with Nixon several times a day. Henry Kissinger — Although he had no previous ties to Nixon, Harvard government professor Henry Kissinger first became Nixon’s national security advisor and later his Secretary of State. Also had an “enemies list” Nixon’s Domestic & Economic Policies During Nixon’s first few years in office, the United States went through economic troubles unemployment and inflation rose, and federal spending proved difficult to control. •Stagflation: A period of high inflation combined with economic stagnation, unemployment, or economic recession that occurred during the 1970s. • In response, Nixon turned to the practice of deficit spending, or spending more money in a year than the government receives in revenues. •Raised taxes, cut the budget Domestic Policy—Oil and Inflation Stagflation usually occurs when there is a shock in the economy (such as a sudden increase in oil) When the United States supported its ally Israel in a war against Egypt and Syria in 1973 (Yom Kippur War) the Arab members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) imposed an embargo, or ban, on shipping oil to the United States. The resulting shortage resulted in high oil prices, which in turn drove inflation even higher. New revenue sharing Under Nixon’s New Federalism, states were asked to assume greater responsibility for the well-being of their citizens, taking some of this responsibility away from the federal government. Takes away programs controlled by the federal government Program may be set up by federal govt, but money is given to states to distribute Other domestic issues Passed by Democratic Congress Endangered Species Preservation Act National Environmental Act Environmental Protection Agency National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Clean Air Act The First Moon Landing During Nixon’s presidency, the United States achieved its goal of a successful moon landing. On July 20, 1969, Neil A. Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon. He was joined by Edwin E. “Buzz” Aldrin, Jr., a fellow crewman on the Apollo 11 spacecraft. Television viewers around the world watched the moon landing, and Apollo 11’s crew were treated as heroes when they returned. Relaxing Tensions Détente Although Nixon had built a reputation as a strong antiCommunist, he and Kissinger reversed the direction of postwar American foreign policy by holding talks with China and the Soviet Union. Nixon and Kissinger’s greatest accomplishment was in bringing about détente, or a relaxation in tensions, between the United States and these Communist nations. Complex Foreign Affairs The Soviet Union and China, once allies, had become bitter enemies. This development had the potential to reshape global politics. A New Approach to China Easing Relations Between the United States and China Historical Background — After its Communist takeover in 1949, the United States refused to recognize the People’s Republic of China, viewing the government of Taiwan as the legitimate Chinese rulers. Steps to Ease Relations — During the early 1970s, relations eased between the United States and the People’s Republic of China. Nixon referred to the nation by name, travel and trade restrictions were lifted. Kissinger encouraged Nixon to work with China. His efforts in ending the Vietnam War and easing Cold War tensions made him a celebrity. A New Approach to China Easing Relations Between the United States and China Nixon’s Visit to China — In February 1972, Nixon became the first American President to visit China. Touring Chinese sites in front of television cameras, Nixon established the basis for future diplomatic ties during his visit. A New Approach to China Easing Relations Between the United States and China Recognizing the Chinese Government — The United States decided to join other nations in recognizing the Chinese government. Limiting Nuclear Arms Nixon uses new relations with China to get USSR to talk about limiting the nuclear arms race. In 1972, the United States and the Soviet Union signed the first Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty, known as SALT I. SALT I froze the number of strategic ballistic missile launchers at existing levels, and provided for the addition of new submarinelaunched ballistic missile launchers. SALT I demonstrated that arms control agreements between the superpowers were possible. However, it did not reduce the number of weapons that either nation possessed, nor did it halt the development of conventional weapon technologies. Nixon’s Foreign Policy in Vietnam Vietnamization Nixon had hoped to slowly remove US from the war while helping South Vietnam to defend itself. He tried to force North Vietnam into accepting a peace plan by increasing bombing on North Vietnam and by attacking North Vietnamese strongholds in Cambodia. Spiro Agnew Nixon’s belligerent Vice-President who took on opponents much like Nixon did for Ike Pleaded ‘no contest’ to bribe charges, resigns from office in late 1973 Gerald Ford replaces – appointed by Nixon, approved by Congress Richard Nixon & Domestic Policy By the late 1960s, the South was becoming more conservative due to new military bases Nixon seized the opportunity to attract & corporate headquarters, the relocation Southerners to the Republican Party byof retirees, & frustration by whites over civil opposing new civil rights policies & rights cutting government spending Battling Political Enemies Nixon’s suspicious and secretive nature caused the White House to operate as if it were surrounded by political enemies. One result of this mind-set was the creation of an “enemies list,” a list of prominent people seen as unsympathetic to the administration. When someone in the National Security Council appeared to have leaked secret government information to the New York Times, Nixon ordered that wiretaps, or listening devices, be installed on the telephones of some news reporters and members of his staff. PENTAGON PAPERS In June 1971, Daniel Ellsburg leaked the Pentagon Papers to the NY Times These are a detailed study of US policy in Vietnam commissioned in 1967 Because they showed that US leaders had planned all along to expand the war even while promising not to, Nixon and Kissinger felt threatened •The Pentagon Papers showed US leaders had lied to the American people about not wanting to expand the Vietnam War but did. •President Nixon felt National Security was threatened. •Nixon was successful in obtaining a court order to stop publication but New York Times filed a lawsuit citing free press issues and violating no prior restraint. •Nixon ordered Ellsburg’s psychiatrist’s office burglarized looking for evidence to discredit him. •Ellsberg was charged with 12 felony counts under the Espionage Act. •Carried a maximum sentence of 115 years. •The charges were against Ellsberg and Anthony Russo (who helped him photocopy the papers) •Charges were dismissed in the fifth month of the trial on grounds of governmental misconduct due to illegal wiretapping and evidence tampering. WATERGATE BREAK IN There was break-in at the Democratic Headquarters located in the Watergate Hotel in Washington 5 burglars caught June 17, 1972, carrying cameras, wiretapping equipment and large amounts of cash Nixon administration denied any knowledge Burglars were convicted in January 1973 and, despite offers of $400K in hush money from White House Counsel John Dean, one of the burglars started to talk The Watergate Coverup Although Nixon had not been involved in the break-in, he became involved in its cover-up. He illegally authorized the CIA to try to persuade the FBI to stop its investigation of the break-in, on the grounds that the matter involved “national security.” Nixon advisors launched a scheme to bribe the Watergate defendants into silence, as well as coaching them on how to lie in court. During the months following the break-in, the incident was barely noticed by the public. Nixon won the 1972 election by a landslide. The Scandal Unfolds The Watergate Trial At the trial of the Watergate burglars in early 1973, all the defendants either pleaded guilty or were found guilty. The judge presiding over the trial was not convinced that the full story had been told. He sentenced the burglars to long prison terms, suggesting that their terms could be reduced if they cooperated with upcoming Senate hearings on Watergate. Woodward and Bernstein Two young Washington Post reporters, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, were influential in tracking down information to uncover the Watergate story. Woodward and Bernstein believed that the White House would prove to be involved in the Watergate scandal. The Scandal Unfolds A Secret Taping System The Senate Investigates Aided by Woodward and Bernstein During the Senate hearings, and by the testimony of one of the Alexander Butterfield, a former Watergate burglars, a Senate Select presidential assistant, revealed Committee on Presidential the existence of a secret taping Campaign Activities began to system in the President’s investigate the Watergate affair in office. 1973. Millions of Americans watched the The taping system had been Senate hearings unfold on national set up to provide a historical television. record of Nixon’s presidency. Nixon attempted to protect himself by Now it could be used to show forcing two top aides to resign and by whether or not Nixon had been proclaiming that he would take final involved in the Watergate responsibility for the mistakes of cover-up. others. Impeachment Hearings and Nixon’s Resignation In the summer of 1974, the House Judiciary Committee voted to impeach Nixon, indicting or charging with numerous crimes. Conviction, and removal from office by a trial in the Senate seemed likely. On August 5, 1974, Nixon released the White House tapes, with an 18 1/2 minute gap. Even with this gap, the tapes revealed his involvement in the Watergate cover up. On August 9, 1974, Nixon resigned, the first President ever to do so. Gerald Ford was sworn in as the new President. • Essential Questions: – In what ways did Presidents Ford & Carter fail to meet the needs of America in the late 1970s? -Should Nixon’s presidency be judged more in his foreign policy successes or the Watergate scandal? Why? America from 1974 to 1980 • In the late 70s, the U.S. was “overextended” –Americans distrusted their government as a result of Vietnam & Watergate –The economy had entered a recession with high unemployment & inflation –A decline in America’s status in the world –A series of presidents (Ford & Carter) that failed to inspire a sense of hope among the American people President Gerald Ford When Nixon resigned in 1974, VP Gerald Ford became president Ford was seen as an “honest man” & hoped to move America past the Watergate scandal But, In September Ford was unable 1974, Ford to move pardoned forward Nixon due to of constant any crimes questions related to Watergate; about a potential Ford lost criminal popular trial support of Nixon Another issue during Ford’s presidency was a growing economic recession Since the early 1970s, Inflation, interest rates, Together, a stagnant economy the economy had & unemployment were & high inflation are known as: Stagnant economy High inflation grown stagnant with all on the rise STAGFLATION few new jobs or business profits President Gerald Ford Making the economic situation worse was the oil crisis of the 1970s Since “automania” of the 1950s, U.S. use of oil was on the In 1960,rise the oil rich nations in the Middle East & Latin America formed the Org of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) President Gerald Ford Making the economic situation worse was the oil crisis of the 1970s In retaliation for American support of Israel, OPEC cut off oil to the U.S. in 1973 As a result, gas prices soared & shortages led to long lines for gasoline President Jimmy Carter Ford had no answer for stagflation or the gas crisis & was challenged by Georgia Democrat Jimmy Carter in the 1976 election Carter ran as an “outsider” who played no part in Vietnam, Watergate, or the recession President Jimmy Carter In the 1976 election, Carter beat Ford Carter & Domestic Policy NoneCarter of histried efforts worked: As president, to attack the energy Inflation hit 14%, interest& rates neared 20%, & crisis, stagflation, the recession a new oil embargo in 1979 increased gas prices Carter & Foreign Policy Carter entered office committed to making “human rights” the basis of U.S. foreign policy Carter stopped supporting foreign governments that violated human rights In 1977, Carter agreed that the U.S. would return the Panama Canal in Dec 1999 Carter hoped to gain peace in the Middle East between Israel & the Muslim nations Since By the its1970s, creation Egypt in 1947, appeared ready Israel to recognize was attacked Israel inbyexchange its for the Muslim return of neighbors land in the in the Sinai Peninsula 1940s, 1960s, & 1970s 1973 Yom Kippur War between Egypt and Syria against Israel Carter & Foreign Policy Carter brought Egyptian leader Anwar el-Sadat & Israeli leader Menachem Begin to the U.S. for the Camp David Accords in 1977 ? Carter did the impossible ? Egypt recognized Israel’s right to Israel agreed to leave the Sinai Carter & Foreign Policy But, the situation in the Middle East got worse in 1979 when fundamentalist Islamic cleric Ayatollah Khomeini led the Iranian Revolution Carter & Foreign Policy Iranians seized the U.S. embassy & captured 52 American hostages (Iranian Hostage Crisis) Carter tried negotiation, economic threats, & a rescue mission to return the hostages but all efforts failed The 52 hostages were held for 444 days Carter & Foreign Policy To make matters worse, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 to defeat an anti-communist uprising The invasion signaled an end to Nixon’s détente with the USSR as the United States sent aid to the Afghan rebels The Election of 1980 Carter had been unable in to search end In By the1980, election of 1980, Americans stagflation, free Ronald the U.S.Reagan hostages Iran, of answers elected asin president or restore America’s place in the world Conclusions • By 1980, the USA seemed to be losing its place as the top nation in the world: –The 1970s presented failures in the Cold War & new problems in the Middle East –The social protests & counter culture seemed to divide liberals & conservatives –Stagflation & the economic recession were growing worse, not better –The failures of Johnson, Nixon, Ford, & Carter left citizens in search of optimism, strong leadership, & conservative policies