An Age of Limits

1. An Age of Limits In what ways can a president misuse power?

2. The Nixon Administration Main Idea President Richard M. Nixon tried to steer the country in a conservative direction and away from federal control. Why it Matters Today American leaders of the early 1970s laid the foundations for the broad conservative base today.

3. Nixon’s New Conservatism • President Nixon entered office in 1969 determined to turn America in a more conservative direction.

4. Nixon’s Southern Strategy • Nixon won a slim majority in 1968. As President, he began working to forge a new conservative coalition to build on his support. • Southern Strategy- Nixon tried to attract Southern conservative Democrats by appealing to their unhappiness with federal desegregation policies and a liberal Supreme Court.

5. Nixon’s Strategy • A New South • Conservative backlash • Nixon wants the democratic vote in the south • Nixon Slows Integration • Nixon slows desegregation in the South • 1969- he ordered the Depart. Of Health, Education and Welfare to delay desegregation plans for school districts. • Nixon opposes the extension of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Congress votes to extend it. • Controversy Over Busing • Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education • Battle Over the Supreme Court • Places more conservative justices on the supreme court. • They didn’t always take the conservative route

6. Confronting a Stagnant Economy • Between 1967-1973, the U.S. faced high inflation and high unemployment-a situation economists called stagflation. • Causes of Stagflation • High Inflation • Competition in international trade • Dependency on foreign oil • OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) • OPEC raises prices 60’s • Yom Kippur War 1973 • OPEC cuts off oil to the U.S. • 1971- Nixon turned to price and wage controls to stop inflation for 90 days.

7. Nixon’s Foreign Policy Triumphs

8. Watergate:Nixon’s Downfall Main Idea President Nixon’s involvement in the Watergate scandal forced him to resign from office. Why it Matters Today The Watergate scandal raised questions of public trust that still affect how the public and media skeptically view politicians.

9. Watergate Timeline July 1974 Judiciary Committee Votes to impeach June 1973 John Dean Testifies June 1972 Watergate Break-in October 1973 Saturday Night Massacre May 1973 Senate Investigates August 1974 Nixon Resigns

10. President Nixon and His White House • The Watergate scandal centered on the Nixon administration’s attempt to cover up a burglary of the DNC headquarters at the Watergate office and apartment complex in Washington, D.C. • An Imperial Presidency • Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. • Executive branch had become the most powerful • The President’s Men • H.R. Haldeman- W.H. chief of staff • John Ehrlichman- chief domestic adviser • John Mitchell- attorney general • Above the Law

11. The Drive Toward Reelection • By the end of 1972, Nixon’s campaign team sought advantages to win the election, by any means necessary.

12. The Fall of a President • Nixon Releases the Tapes • Spring 1974- Nixon releases editing transcripts of White House conversations about Watergate. • Investigators demand unedited tapes. • The President Resigns • House Judiciary Committee charged the president with obstruction on justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress. • August 8, 1974- before the House could impeach, Nixon announced his resignation from office. • The Effects of Watergate • 25 members of Nixon’s administration were convicted and served prison terms for crimes connected to Watergate.

13. The Ford and Carter Years Main Idea The Ford and Carter administrations attempt to remedy the nation’s worst economic crisis in decades. Why it Matters Today Maintaining a stable national economy has remained a top priority for every president since Ford and Carter.

14. Ford Travels a Rough Road • Upon taking office, Gerald Ford urged Americans to put the Watergate scandal behind them. • “A Ford, Not a Lincoln” • Sept. 8, 1974- Ford pardoned Nixon. • Public is outraged • Ford Tries to “Whip” Inflation • “W.I.N.”-Whip Inflation Now • “Tight Money” policy • Cut Gov’t spending and encouraged the Federal Reserve Board to restrict credit through higher interest rates. • Worst economic recession in 40 years.

15. Ford’s Foreign Policy • Carrying out Nixon’s Foreign Policies • Ford followed Kissinger’s advice • Helsinki Accords • A series of agreements that promised greater cooperation between the nations of Eastern and Western Europe. • Ongoing Turmoil In Southeast Asia • 1973- Cease-fire had broken down • 1975- S. Vietnam surrendered to the North • Cambodia seized the U.S. merchant ship Mayaquez in the Gulf of Siam. • Ford responds with military force

16. Carter Enters the White House • 1976-Republican- Gerald Ford; Democrats-Jimmy Carter • Carter a peanut farmer from Georgia and former governor. • Soft-spoken, personable.

17. Carter’s Domestic Agenda

18. A Human Rights Foreign Policy • Jimmy Carter rejected the philosophy of Realpolitik.

19. Triumph and Crisis in the Middle East • Americans became aware of troubles in the Middle East.

20. Environmental Activism Main Idea During the 1970s, Americans strengthened their efforts to address the nation’s environmental problems. Why it Matter Today The nation today continues to struggle to balance environmental concerns with industrial growth.

21. The Roots of Environmentalism • The widespread realization that pollution and overconsumption were damaging the environment began in the 1960’s. • Rachel Carson and Silent Spring • Silent Spring • Warned against the use of pesticides. • DDT outlawed in 1972

22. Environmental Concerns in the 1970s

23. Alaskan Pipeline • The 800-mile-long Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) is one of the largest pipeline systems in the world. It stretches from Prudhoe Bay on Alaska’s North Slope, through rugged and beautiful terrain, to Valdez, the northernmost ice-free port in North America. Since pipeline startup in 1977, Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, the operator of TAPS, has successfully transported over 15 billion barrels of oil.