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Nixon ( & Ford )

Nixon ( & Ford ). 1968-1976. A Conservative Backlash. 1968 marked a watershed year in America Liberalism of the 1960’s had come to an end Increasingly radical movements had been rejected by the mainstream in America Vietnam & Civil Rights had polarized the nation

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Nixon ( & Ford )

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  1. Nixon ( & Ford ) 1968-1976

  2. A Conservative Backlash 1968 marked a watershed year in America Liberalism of the 1960’s had come to an end Increasingly radical movements had been rejected by the mainstream in America Vietnam & Civil Rights had polarized the nation Nixon’s “silent majority” had regained power in America Majority of Americans voted for either Nixon or Wallace in 68 1960’s reform had come to an end Democratic party had been marginalized by radicals Nixon’s presidency characterized appeals to moderate and conservative factions in America

  3. Nixon’s Foreign Policy Nixon’s most significant accomplishments as President came in foreign policy Assisted by brilliant Secretary of State Henry Kissinger Realpolitik-based on power struggles, not ideals Détente Period of easing tensions between US and USSR Nixon aided by cooling of Cold War China First US President to recognize People’s Republic of China Soviet Union Visited Moscow in 1972 SALT I treaty successful in slowing nuclear arms race Middle East Arab Israeli Wars lead to oil embargo Kissinger’s “shuttle diplomacy”

  4. Domestic Policy Moon landing kicks off Nixon’s presidency (June 21, 1969) Lacked control of Congress, approves liberal legislation Expands social security/anti poverty programs Passes 26th Amendment (Voting age) Environmental/Business regulation Allowed federal affirmative action Favored welfare reform (not passed) Strict conservatives felt Nixon’s programs were excessive/overly expensive Economic Problems War + Social Problems = Budget deficit Stagflation Emerging energy crisis (OPEC boycott) Switches strategies multiple times

  5. Why does an oil embargo cause inflation?

  6. New Left Old Left referred to the reformers of the 1930’s/1940’s New Left was primarily represented by young people in the 1960’s Grew rapidly on college campuses SDS (Students for a Democratic Society) Berkeley Free Speech Movement Port Huron Statement became a defining manifesto for counterculture Radicals within many movements engage in acts of violence and terror FBI surveils and infiltrates many radical groups Kent State (May 1970) Counterculture grows in the late 1960’s Connection to rock music Emergence of the drug culture

  7. Ohio by Neil Young Tin soldiers and Nixon coming,We're finally on our own.This summer I hear the drumming,Four dead in Ohio.Gotta get down to itSoldiers are cutting us downShould have been done long ago.What if you knew herAnd found her dead on the groundHow can you run when you know?Gotta get down to itSoldiers are cutting us downShould have been done long ago.What if you knew herAnd found her dead on the groundHow can you run when you know?Tin soldiers and Nixon coming,We're finally on our own.This summer I hear the drumming,Four dead in Ohio.

  8. Influence of Civil Rights Other groups had been inspired by the success of the black civil rights movement Indian Civil Rights Movement Among the poorest of all Americans Inspired by literature and intertribal nationalism Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown Successful in passing 1968 Indian Civil Rights Act Extended constitutional protections to Indian reservations Preserved tribal autonomy American Indian Movement (AIM) Unsatisfied by civil rights law, pushed for equality 1968 Alcatraz occupation 1973 Wounded Knee Occupation Native Americans will win a series of significant court battles

  9. Influence of Civil Rights Latino activism Fastest growing minority group in the 1960’s Surging illegal immigration following WWII Many immigrants were exploited in the workplace Unable to organize under traditional unions Caesar Chavez organizes UFW Nationwide boycotts (grapes and lettuce) Chicano Movement Nationalist movement among latinos creates a unique identity for their group Able to influence educational decisions and unite significant numbers of voters

  10. Influence of Civil Rights New Feminist Movement Women identified with minority groups Rebirth of 1920’s feminism Heavily influenced by Betty Friedan's Feminine Mystique Women began to question 1950’s roles Increased move towards independence and equality National Organization of Women (NOW) Equal rights organization Support ERA (dies in the states 1982) Women’s liberation (very controversial) Social equality Increased sexual freedom Abortion (Roe v. Wade)

  11. Environmental Movement Increasing belief in an interrelated world view Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring 1962 Great Society programs had reflected desire to protect rather than simply conserve the environment Nixon creates the EPA to enforce Great Society measures Growth of many new nongovernmental organizations as well April 22, 1970 first Earth Day begins to raise national awareness of environmental concerns

  12. 1972 Election Increasing liberalism in American society moves the Republican party in a conservative direction Wallace had nearly cost Nixon the 1968 election Needed to draw in Southern conservative voters Southern strategy Appeal to Southern whites by opposing desegregation and welfare programs assisting minorities Opposed Swann decision publicly Appointed conservatives to Supreme Court Used VP Agnew to attack Democratic party Wallace is shot while campaigning Deeply divided Democrats nominate ultra liberal McGovern Nixon wins by a landslide Watergate break in is minor news

  13. Why was it necessary for Nixon to appeal to Southern white voters?

  14. Watergate Watergate burglars found to have direct link to CREEP Attorney general John Mitchell chaired committee No direct link established between “plumbers” and White House aides Burglars had been paid hush money Washington Post assigns Woodward and Bernstein to write the story Their investigation begins to unravel larger cover up Assisted by anonymous source “Deep Throat” (Mark Felt) Uncover “dirty tricks” by CREEP Stories trigger a Senate investigation Former White House Counsel John Dean testifies against Nixon

  15. Watergate Nixon responding by ordering new Attorney gen. Richardson to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Archibald Cox attempts to subpoena Nixon’s tapes Saturday Night Massacre Nixon attempts to fire Cox through Atty. Gen. Richardson resigns, as does deputy, third will fire Cox In response House initiates impeachment hearings Senate subpoenas Nixon’s personal tapes US v. Nixon Supreme Court forces Nixon to hand over tapes Overruled “executive privilege” Tapes missing segments but enough to possibly convict Nixon of crimes Also reveal an angry, profane, and racist side of Nixon

  16. Gerald Ford VP Agnew had been indicted on separate charges during Watergate investigation Replaced by Gerald Ford Nixon forced to resign or face impeachment Gerald Ford assumes Presidency Pardons Nixon Ford had never been elected Watergate seriously shakes role of US President in US Press has become a watchdog agency Power of President limited by Congress End of imperial presidency Ford will be haunted by Nixon’s failures Vietnam Economy

  17. How does the American public view government? Has this always been the case?

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