Nixon, Ford, and Carter
(1968-1980)
The Nixon Years (1986-1974)
I.
Conservatism -- slowed
advancement of civil rights
with his policies to control
the economy and create law
and order (discouraged
protests)
II.
A Foreign Policy of Détente (a
relaxation in the tensions between the
super powers)
A. Relations with China -- 1972 Nixon
traveled to China; basis for diplomatic
ties were established
B. Relations with Soviet Union -- 1972
he then traveled to S.U. to meet with
Brezhnev to talk about a weapons pact
(SALT, strategic Arms Limitation
Talks), space exploration, and opening
up trade.
III.
The Watergate Scandal -- IN the face of the
1972 election, Nixon would do whatever
necessary to win; even break the law.
A. A Suspicious Whitehouse -- a group
called the Plumbers was organized to stop
government security leaks after the Pentagon
Papers (which discussed Vietnam) were
given to the New York Times.
B. Creep -- Committee to Reelect the
President used other questionable tactics
during the 1972 campaign.
C. Nixon Resigned -- August 9th, 1974; he
knew he was defeated
Stage I: The Watergate Break-in
Stage 2: Investigations Begin
Stage 3: Congressional Hearings
Stage 4: The Secret Tapes
Stage 5: Nixon Resigns
YouTube - Richard Nixon
YouTube - Mark Felk, Aka "Deep Throat" Dead at 95
The Ford Years (1974-1976)
I.
A Troubled Presidency (first nonelected president)
A. The Economy had been
ignored during the Watergate
scandal and the Vietnam was
ending in defeat.
B. Only a month after Nixon
resigned, Ford pardoned him for
“all offenses” he might have
committed; he lost popular
support.
II.
WIN campaign (Whip Inflation
Now) -- encouraged people to
save a portion of their incomes,
an to plant gardens to challenge
rising prices;plan failed in the
face of “stagflation” (inflation
and unemployment both on the
rise)
The Carter Years (1976-1980)
I.
Campaign Strategy -- as a
peanut farmer from Georgia
who sought to end racial
discrimination, Carter made
sure people knew that he was
not part of the Washington
establishment.
II.
Carter Administration
A. He appointed more
women and minorities
B. His inexperience and a staff that
was inexperienced found it difficult to
pass legislation in Congress.
C. Agenda:
1. Energy – Moral equivalent of
war
2. Human Rights
3. Government Reform
4. Negotiate rather than confront
III.
Foreign Policy
A. Human rights -- became the cornerstone of
Carter’s foreign policy; he had a strong belief in
religion and morality.
B. Shuttle Diplomacy -- moving back and forth
between nations in an attempt to arrange peace in the
region
1. Camp David Accords: U.S. tried to bridge
gap between Israel and Egypt in the Middle East
2. SALT II: (Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty)
between the U.S. and Soviet Union failed when
S.U. invaded Afghanistan in 1979. Détente was
dead
3. Iran Hostage Situation: arose as a result of
Carter’s humanitarian efforts; a failure for Carter
Iran Hostage Crisis
YouTube - Former Iran Hostages Recall US Embassy Takeover 30 Years
Ago - VOA Story(4 min)
YouTube - Iran Hostage Crisis 1979-1981(10min)