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Vietnam and the Rise of the New Right

Vietnam and the Rise of the New Right. Legacy of the 1960s. Liberal reforms But conservative ascendancy R eaction to: feminism integration h ippies a nti-war. The Age of Nixon. Wins 1968 Appeals to “Silent Majority” Promises to end war with “secret plan”. War Drags On.

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Vietnam and the Rise of the New Right

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  1. Vietnam and the Rise of the New Right

  2. Legacy of the 1960s • Liberal reforms • But conservative ascendancy • Reaction to: • feminism • integration • hippies • anti-war

  3. The Age of Nixon • Wins 1968 • Appeals to “Silent Majority” • Promises to end war with “secret plan”

  4. War Drags On • US tries to prevent Communist takeover since 1964 • Stiff resistance from N. Vietnamese, i.e. Viet Cong • No exit strategy

  5. The Problem • N. Vietnamese fighting war for independence • US relies more on air power • S. Vietnamese corrupt, lack commitment

  6. The End • Nixon tries to find way out • Americans leave 1973-5 • Death toll: • 1-3 million Vietnamese • 58,220 Americans

  7. War Exposes Rift • Conservatives: war critics are unpatriotic • “Acid, amnesty, and abortion” • Nixon wins 1972 landslide

  8. 1970s Malaise • Inflation • High gas prices • Unemployment • Wounded national confidence

  9. Watergate • Revealed after 1972 election • Extensive campaign of “dirty tricks” • Burglary of Watergate Hotel

  10. Impact • 1974: Nixon forced to resign • Dems benefit from GOP unpopularity • But scandal deepens skepticism toward gov’t

  11. America’s Soul-Searching • 1976: Jimmy Carter, GA Gov., becomes prez • Promises return to honest gov’t • But beset by crises

  12. Iran Hostage Crisis • 1979: Revolutionaries seize Americans • Carter’s rescue mission bungled • Big embarrassment

  13. Big Picture • America looks weak • Conservatives want return to traditional values and military strength • Rise of Ronald Reagan

  14. The Perfect Storm • Conservatives fight ERA, gay rights, sex ed • Idea of moral decline • Bad economy and foreign policy failures

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