The Stalemated Seventies
•In the 1970’s the US economy slumps, although economists still do not agree on the causes.
•Responding to antiwar protests, Nixon puts forth a plan, called Vietnamization, to gradually
withdraw US forces while preparing the South Vietnamese to carry on the fight. It is revealed
that while Nixon claimed to be winding down the Vietnam War he had secretly expanded it by
ordering the bombing of neutral Cambodia to assail North Vietnamese troops that had taken
refuge there. Even after the 1973 cease fire with North Vietnam, Nixon continued attacks on
communist positions despite Congressional calls for a cessation of the bombings.
•With the US involvement in Vietnam seemingly coming to an end, Nixon wins reelection
handily against McGovern. In 1974, Nixon is the first president to ever to resign.
•Nixon visits China, Arab states impose an oil embargo over their outrage over US support for
Israel.
•Looking for a fresh political face, an outsider untainted by Washington politics, the Democrats
nominate Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter, who wins the presidency in 1976. Camp David
Accords are a crowning achievement.
I. Nixon’s Detente
A.
Vietnam “Nixon Doctrine”
1.
2.
3.
“Vietnamization”
“bums” vs. “Silent
Majority”
Extend war into Cambodia
a.
4.
Anti-War Movement
a.
b.
c.
5.
6.
B.
My Lai Massacre
Pentagon Papers
26th Amendment
War Powers Act, 1973
Peace Accords
Détente-H. Kissinger
1.
2.
C.
Kent and Jackson State
“one-China” policy
SALT I and Grain Deal
Middle East
A.
B.
Yom Kippur War
Energy Crisis
D.
II. Nixon’s Aggressive
Homefront
Stagnant Economy
1.
2.
3.
Welfare and military spending
inflationary
Industrial competitors
Wage-Price controls, 1971
E. Extension of liberalism
1.
Warren and Burger Courts
a. “Right of privacy”
2.
3.
4.
Increase in entitlements
“Philadelphia Plan” for
African Americans
Environmentalism
a.
b.
Rachel Spring’s “Silent Spring”
Clean Air Act, 1970
III. Unelected Ford
A.
Election of 1972
1.
2.
3.
4.
B.
CREEP
VP Agnew
J. Dean testimony
Resignation
The “selected” Ford
1.
2.
3.
4.
Watergate pardon
Helsinki begins failing
Fall of Saigon and $118B/58K
Feminism victories and defeats
a.
b.
5.
Title IX, Roe v. Wade
ERA
Civil Rights victories and
defeats
a.
b.
Alcatraz, Wounded Knee,
Bakke Case
IV. Carter’s Humanitarian
Diplomacy
A.
B.
Election 1976
Economic Woes
1.
Increasing cost foreign oil
a. Muslin fundamentalism in Iran, 1979
2.
3.
4.
Stagflation
Unemployment at 7.5%
Increasing reliance on foreign
trade
C. Humanitarian Diplomacy
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Camp David Accords, 1978
Full recognition of China
Iran Hostage Crisis-444 days
SALT II
USSR in Afghanistan
a. Boycott Olympic games