The Rise and Fall of Richard Nixon

1. The Rise and Fall of Richard Nixon Unit 5 Lesson

2. Big Idea • Nixon worked to lead the country in a new, more conservative, direction; however any accomplishment is negated by the Watergate Scandal.

3. Warm Up: • What was Nixon’s campaign promise? • Peace w/honor abroad • Law & order at home

4. 1968 Election • (D) Humphrey • (R) Nixon • (I) Wallace • Intense political process • Nixon wins close vote • Law & Order @ home • Peace w/honor abroad

5. The Nixon Administration • “Imperial presidency” • “President’s Men” • HR Haldeman- Chief of Staff • John Erlichman- Domestic Advisor • John Mitchell- Attorney General • John Dean- Presidential Counsel • Henry Kissinger- Secretary of State

6. Domestic Agenda – New Conservatism • Economic Problems • Inflation and unemployment on rise • Dependence on foreign oil (prices ↑) • Solutions • Raise taxes and cut budget • Raise interest rates • Price, wage, rent controls • OPEC Embargo = Recession

7. Domestic Agenda – New Conservatism • Size of Federal Government • Great Society- Too much fed responsibility • Did increase Soc Sec, Medicare, and Medicaid! • Welfare inefficient • Solutions • New Federalism- share certain responsibilities w/states • Revenue Sharing • Impoundment- Withheld fed $ for programs he didn’t like (unconstitutional) • Family Assistance Plan- basic income, job training

8. Domestic Agenda – New Conservatism • Domestic Upheaval • Press Leaks • Antiwar Protestors, Student Radicals, Counterculture • Rising crime, growing drug use, racial violence/riots • Liberal Ct and Brown II – speedy desegregation • Solutions • Justice Dept Wiretaps, FBI investigations, IRS audits, Enemies List • VP Spiro Agnew- Vocal lashings of media and liberals • Southern Strategy – opposed extending VRA, interfered w/desegregation • Appt 4 conservative SC justices (Warren Burger)

9. A New Foreign Policy • Henry Kissinger • Realpolitik – evaluate nation’s power, not political ideals • Détente • Relaxing tension w/Communist nations

10. Ping Pong Diplomacy & China • ’70 shouldn’t isolate China • UN recognition ‘71 • ‘71 end travel ban & trade embargo • ’72 Visit (1st Pres ever)

11. Détente with the Soviet Union • ’72 Visit to Moscow • Brezhnev • Explore space • Ease trade limits • Weapons pact • SALT I

12. Peace With Honor in Vietnam • Vietnamization • Gradual withdraw US troops • Increased scope • Paris Peace Accords Jan 1973

13. Nixon’s Downfall • Suspicion and Deceit • Not enough credit for accomplishments • Fear of losing • “Enemies List” • “Plumbers” stop leaks w/wiretaps of staff and reporters, mail

14. CREEP • Committee to Reelect the President • John Mitchell • Fund-raising • G. Gordon Liddy • Dirty Tricks • Fake letters, gossip • Hecklers • Spies

15. Watergate • DNC headquarters • June 17, 1972 “Burglary” • Tap phones • Photograph strategies • CAUGHT…with CREEP $!!!!!!

16. Activity: The Cover Up • Use the reading handout to complete the timeline of major Watergate events. • Video: • http://youtu.be/nFID6Qkwh88

18. Effects of Watergate • Nixon resigns in light of impeachment • 69 charged, 48 guilty • 25 ppl in admin serve prison terms • Lack public trust • Angry Congress = Balance of powers  • Cynical media

19. Who was Deep Throat? • 5-31-2005 • FBI Deputy Director Mark Felt

20. Activity • The Nixon Years

21. Closure • What were Nixon’s major domestic goals? • Reduce inflation • New Federalism – decrease size & role fed govt • Strengthen law & order • Southern Strategy – slow civil rights, appt conservative justices