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Richard Nixon and Watergate

Explore Richard Nixon's contradictory stance on federal programs, impact of the Southern Strategy, Watergate scandal, and lasting influence on American politics. Understand key events affecting Ford and Carter presidencies, economy under Ford, US-Soviet relations, Mariel boatlift, Christian fundamentalists, and Middle East events during Carter's era.

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Richard Nixon and Watergate

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  1. Richard Nixon and Watergate

  2. New Federalism • Nixon said he was the spokesperson for the silent majority, the Middle Americans • He wants to make federal government smaller – fed government gave states money to fund social programs (revenue sharing). The states then controlled them

  3. New Federalism cont. • Nixon contradicts himself. He actually supported programs that increased the size of government: • OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) • DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) • EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) • Nixon’s welfare policies also increased gov’t

  4. Southern Strategy • Wants to expand his base of support • Tries to appeal to the blue-collar worker and Southern Whites • Trying to make the Republican Party a powerful force in the South

  5. Southern Strategy cont. • Court-ordered busing – trying to achieve greater racial balance • Nixon didn’t support it, called for a freeze • YET……he supported Affirmative Action – policy that gives special consideration to women and minorities in employment and in education

  6. Southern Strategy cont • Philadelphia Plan • Required labor unions and federal contractors to submit goals and timetables for the hiring of minorities • Next election Nixon won huge!!!!

  7. Watergate – the scandal

  8. Break-in • Burglars break in to the DNC (Democratic National Committee) headquarters in the Watergate complex

  9. Cover-up • Advisors use money from the Committee to Reelect the President to pay for the burglary.

  10. Tapes • Nixon had tapes detailing his involvement • Executive Privilege – should he have to give the tapes up? • U.S. v. Nixon – SC says Nixon must give up tapes.

  11. Resignation • He would have been impeached • Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein from the Washington Post are credited with cracking the story

  12. Lasting Impact – So What? • Richard Nixon damaged the reputation of the presidency and shook the public’s confidence in government • Late 1950s to the mid 70s, the percentage of Americans who believed in the truth of government statements dropped from 80% to 33%

  13. On the positive – it showed that the nation could survive • Both Congress and the SC checked the power of the President • No one is above the law – RULE OF LAW

  14. Ford/Carter reading • What critical event affected both the Ford and Carter presidencies • What was the economy like when Gerald Ford was president? • Why did our relationship with the Soviets cool in the late 70s? • Mariel boatlift? • Christian fundamentalists • Changing values

  15. Ford/Carter reading • Carter and foreign policy • What was happening in the Middle East

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