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Nixon. Obj : How effective was RMN in domestic & foreign policy before Watergate?. Hawks vs Doves Hawks – Vietnam was winnable and legitimate; blamed liberal media Doves – Did not question intentions but continued engagement
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Nixon Obj: How effective was RMN in domestic & foreign policy before Watergate?
Hawks vs Doves • Hawks – Vietnam was winnable and legitimate; blamed liberal media • Doves – Did not question intentions but continued engagement • “If America’s soul becomes totally poisoned, part of the autopsy must read ‘Vietnam.’” – MLK
1968 Democratic Convention – Chicago • A. Mayor Richard Daley - Put on a show • B. Police Riots outside • C. Turmoil Inside - Delegates • Hubert Humphrey 561.5 • RFK 393.5 • McCarthy 258 • 80% of primary votes for peace plank • D. New Deal Coalition Crumbles on TV
I. The Election of 1968 – Conservative Resurgence • New Republicans: Sunbelt, SW, SoCal, FL & Silent Majority • A. Democrats Divided • B. Nixon & Spiro “Who” Agnew • 1. “End the War, Win the Peace” • C. George Wallace – American Independent Party • 1. Law & Order
II. Nixon’s Foreign Policy (Realpolitik) • Pragmatism over ethics or ideology • 1968 peace negotiations w/ Johnson…cease fire? • A. Vietnam • 1. Vietnamization • 1. Replace US w/ SV troops • 2. Direct negotiation w/ NV • 3. Increase air strikes & secret Cambodian & Laos strikes • 2. Cambodian Incursion & SV invades Laos (‘71) • 3. 1972 Christmas Bombing – Worst of War
4. Paris Peace Accords (January 1973) • 1. 58k dead, 300k wounded, $150B • 2. US withdraws all troops, return POW’s, N/S issue unresolved
B. Détente – Relaxation of Tensions w/ China & USSR • 1. Henry Kissinger: Pragmatic, Realist, Patient • 2. Cold War: Power Rivalry to be managed – not won • 3. Improved Relations w/ China • 1a. Beijing: Establish American Liaison Mission (2/72) • 2a. Full Diplomatic Recognition (1979)
4. Cooperation w/ USSR • a. Moscow Trip; Did not end arms race (5/72) • b. Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I): Nuclear Equality – Not superiority • c. ABM Treaty: restrict deployment nationwide missile defense system
C. Shuttle Diplomacy in the Middle East • 1. 6 Days War (‘67), Yom Kippur War (‘73), Oil Embargo • 2. Kissinger brokers truce after 2 years of diplomacy • 1a. Cease Fire, Israel ceded territory, end embargo • 2a. Palestinian issue unresolved
D. US Aid based on Anti-Communism • 1. Iran – Support Shah • 2. South Africa, Philippines, Chile
The Fall of Richard Nixon • Obj: To what extent did RN create his own downfall? • I. Nixon’s Strengths • A. Apollo 11 (7/21/69) “Eagle has landed”
B. Cooperation w/ Democratic Congress • 1. Increase Social Security Benefits • 2. Build Subsidized Housing • 3. Expanded Job Corps • 4. Lowered Voting Age to 18 – 26th Amendment • 5. OSHA, EPA, Clean Air Act, Earth Day (4/22/70)
II. Troubled Economy • A. Stagflation – Increasing Unemployment & Inflation • 1a. Causes: War, Oil, Budget Deficits • 2a. Plan: Cut spending & Raise interest rates • 3a. Unrest: Strikes, Drop in Investment, Unemployment • 4a. 90 Price & Wage Freeze – Success until after election • 5a. Post Election – Voluntary Restraints • 6a. Inflation soars due to embargo
III. Nixon’s Society • A. Law & Order • 1. Establish new Republican base • 2. Undermine ‘Radicals’: Audits, Wiretaps, Enemies List • 3. Uncooperative CIA leads to creation of “The Plumbers”
B. Southern Strategy • 1. Gain Southern White Support – anger NOT at Nixon but SCOTUS • 2. SCOTUS Nominees - 2 conservative Southerners rejected • a. Burger Court – Moderate: Powell, Rehnquist & Blackmun • b. Swann v. Charl.-Meck. Bd. Of Ed. (1971) – upheld busing • c. Roe v. Wade (1973) – liberal & more conservative rulings • d. NYT v. Nixon – 1st amendment protected • 3. Let Agnew do the dirty work
IV. Election 1972 • A. CREEP – Watergate contained? • B. Nixon 520 vs. McGovern 17 • 1. Desperate for Mandate – Leaks? • 2. Bold Attack on Inflation, Vietnam, Détente, Victory
V. Crisis in the White House • A. Economy & Inflation: P&W Freeze over & Prices Soar • B. New VP; IRS Problems; Grain Shortages; Oil Crisis • 1. Agnew Resigns; Ford Appointed – Not Elected • 2. Nixon tax returns: “I am not a Crook”
VI. Watergate Investigation Continues • A. McCord’s Letter to Judge Sirica Implicating WH (‘73) • B. Story Begins to Unravel – Deep Throat (M. Felt 2005) • 1. Executive Privilege • 2. Ervin Committee, Saturday Night Massacre 12/73 • 3. Tapes, Missing Tapes • C. SP Jaworski & House Judiciary Committee Investigate • D. Unintened Co-Conspirator; More Tapes • E. US v. Nixon; Televised; 3 Articles of Impeachment