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The 1970s

johnathan
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The 1970s

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    1. The 1970s From Nixon to Carter

    3. Nixon and Middle America Nixon elected in 1968 as representative of “Middle America” Citizens fed up with liberal politics and social radicalism of the 1960s Promises to counter liberalism, Great Society “government waste” and end Vietnam war White House staff and Cabinet reflected values of “silent majority” All male, all white, all Republican

    4. Nixon and Civil Rights Attempts to block Congressional renewal of Voting Rights Act in 1970; overrides veto Mississippi schools desegregated in 1970 Nixon opposed: Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education (1971): cities must bus students out of their neighborhood if necessary to achieve racial integration Nixon supported: Bakke v. Board of Regents of California (1978): restricted use of quotas to achieve racial diversity

    5. Nixon and the Great Society Fervently desired to reverse welfare policies of Democratic predecessors Decentralize social services: 1972, $30 billion distributed to states for “use as they saw fit.” Unsuitable plan to Democratic-controlled Congress VP Spiro Agnew speaking tour to assault the Democratic and liberal opposition

    7. Congressional Reaction Agnew’s phrase-turning proved unsuccessful: 1970, right to vote to 18 year olds in federal elections 1971, Twenty-sixth Amendment Increases to Social Security benefits Rise in food stamp funding Occupational Safety and Health Act (1970) Federal Election Campaign Act (1972) Clean Air Act (1970) Environment Protection Agency (EPA)

    8. Nixon’s Foreign Policy Ending Vietnam and détente Establishing relations with Communist China, 1971-2 Nixon visits Beijing in February 1972 Improved relations with Soviets Nixon visits Moscow in 1972 Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) OPEC and Arab world Not as successful Yom Kippur War of 1973 and oil

    12. Watergate 1972 election, burglars caught breaking into DNC headquarters at Watergate Hotel McGovern’s accusations of “dirty tricks” seems shrill and biased at the time One burglar confessed to the Nixon administrations complicity 25 arrests over two years (4 cabinet members and resignation of President Nixon) No evidence that Nixon ordered the break-in, but he did participate in the subsequent cover-up “Nixon tapes” and executive privilege

    13. Watergate Cover-up July 1974: Supreme Court ruled that Nixon must surrender tapes House Judiciary Committee voted on articles of impeachment Aug. 9, 1974: Nixon resigns after releasing tapes

    14. Effects of Watergate VP Agnew resigned in 1973; bribes Gerald Ford of Michigan appointed by Nixon as VP Ford had no intention of pardoning Nixon Nixon pardoned month after resignation to “put Watergate scandals behind us.” War Powers Act (1973) Freedom of Information Act (1966) strengthened Renewed public cynicism about a government that lied and violated civil liberties

    16. The Carter Years Early success short-lived by his energy and foreign policy 1979 energy crisis Panama Canal Camp David Accords Iranian Revolution Inexperienced Approval ratings at 26%

    17. Initial Success and Popularity Diverse administration: more black, Hispanic, and women appointments than ever before. Amnesty offered to Vietnam-era draft dodgers still out of the country Reformed civil service program Creation of the Energy Secretary Environmental legislation

    18. Oil and the Canal Summer of 1979, renewed violence in Middle East leads to second fuel shortage. Long lines, limited supply, high prices for gasoline White House blamed; prices and supply normalized without presidential involvement Panama Canal Zone Control gradually given to Panama by 1999 Backlash by Republicans and conservatives

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