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Topic: The Domestic Policies of President Richard Nixon. Do Now:
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Topic: The Domestic Policies of President Richard Nixon Do Now: “The Vietnam War did not destroy the Democrats in 1968. The War was only one (albeit noisy) component of the Dems loss in ’68. The real reason they lost was due to the fact that Americans were tired of Democratic liberals like Johnson who had been in control since 1960. The American people were tired of the Great Society and Civil Rights… they wanted a return to conservative American beliefs”. Defend or Refute This Statement
The Election of 1968 • Johnson hated, refuses to run for a new term • Race riots, student riots, etc. • Dems Chicago Riot • Mayor R. Daley • 1968: Nixon vs. Hubert Humphrey • Segregationist George Wallace as 3rd party candidate (Am. Ind.) • Nixon Wins: • “plan to end Vietnam war” • “law and order” candidate • Appeals to the “Silent Majority” • Takes advantage of Dem split (Hawk vs. Dove)
The Domestic Front • 1970s: a period of “Stagflation” • Causes of economic downturn? • Nixon keeps many Great Society programs • SSI, Food Stamps • Nixon takes US off the Gold Standard; wage freezes • Nixon and the “Southern Strategy” (wins 1972 Election) • Nixon keeps US in Vietnam reactions • 1970 Kent State “Massacre” • Creation of the EPA • Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring
Domestic Controversies • Nixon reshapes the Supreme Court (The Burger Court) not as conservative as he hopes • Nixon and Race: • De facto segregation and “white flight” • The Bakke Decision • Women’s issues: • Betty Freidan and the Feminine Mystique • Roe v. Wade case • Title IX in education • NOW and the Failure of the ERA
Conclusion • On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best) where would you place Nixon’s domestic policies? In 2-3 sentences, explain your rationale for your rating.