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HS A-85—Tuesday, April 17, 2007 “Nixon to Carter: From the Imperial Presidency to the Man from Plains”. Nixon’s Record before Watergate A. Moderately liberal agenda but cultivated new conservatism B. Foreign policy—Vietnam escalation but breakthroughs with China and Soviet Union
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HS A-85—Tuesday, April 17, 2007 “Nixon to Carter: From the Imperial Presidency to the Man from Plains” • Nixon’s Record before Watergate A. Moderately liberal agenda but cultivated new conservatism B. Foreign policy—Vietnam escalation but breakthroughs with China and Soviet Union • Watergate: Convergence of the Man and the Times A. Nixon the man: 1. Nixon the entrenched anti-communist 2. Nixon the determined, self-justifying opportunist 3. Nixon the media-obsessed politician B. The Times: 1. Growth in executive branch since New Deal leading to the “Imperial Presidency” and culture of surveillance 2. Legacy of paranoia around winning/losing Vietnam • Conclusion: A. Growth of cynicism about government and normalization of corruption B. Election of James Earl “Jimmy” Carter in 1976: although a liberal Democrat, also represented new trends (critic of federal govt, cultural outsider, Southerner, rural not urban)