Unit 12 1970’s Conflict and Change Nixon, Ford and Carter
Nixon Presidency 1969-1974
 Richard Nixon began what is known as the Imperial Presidency
--Presidential power and influence reaches its peak (Radio & TV allow direct access to voters, President uses more advisers
instead of cabinet members that need Congressional approval) with Nixon and he used it to move the country in a more
conservative direction.
 Nixon began US withdrawal from Vietnam
-In 1972 Equal Rights Amendment (cannot deny equal rights on account of sex) approved by Congress, but never ratified by
states
-To deal with inflation(rising prices), Nixon imposed temporary price and wage controls, and took US off gold standard with
shift toward fiat money
-Nixon eliminated several Great Society programs and gave the money to state and local governments.
 During Nixon’s term in office you had several Supreme Court decisions that protected the first amendment rights of
individuals
-Tinker V Des Moines: Supreme Court ruling that School districts could not suspend students for wearing armbands
protesting the Vietnam War because it violated their first amendment rights.
-Wisconsin V Yoder: US Supreme Court struck down a Wisconsin state law that required Amish students to attend school
beyond 8th grade because it violated Amish parent’s religious beliefs under the 1st amendment and conflicted with Amish
values and ways of life.
 In addition Nixon ended the draft, increased anticrime laws, and broadened environmental laws and agencies.
-Environmental Protection Agency-a government agency that protects Americans’ health and the natural environment by
setting and enforcing pollution standards
-Endangered Spices Act--requires the Fish and Wildlife Service to list plants and animals that are threatened with extinction
and then take steps to protect them
 Nixon believed that the President’s most important role was directing foreign policy. He was greatly assisted by his
closest advisor Henry Kissinger in deciding US foreign policy during the 1970’s.
 Since China became Communist the US had refused to have any diplomatic ties. Nixon restored US diplomatic
relations with China. In 1972, Nixon became the first US president to visit the Chinese mainland, this opening of
relations with China was Nixon’s greatest foreign policy achievement.
 Nixon wanted to pursue a policy of détente (relaxing tensions) with the Soviet Union.
-Nixon signs SALT I, an agreement to limit the development of missile systems.
-He also sold American grain to Russia to ease food shortages.
-Also, when war breaks out in the Middle East the US and USSR both help to arrange a cease fire.
 In 1973 Nixon’s Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned when it was discovered that he took bribes as governor.
-Using the 25th amendment Nixon appointed Gerald Ford as his new Vice-President
 in 1972 a group of former CIA agents working for Nixon’s reelection for President were caught breaking into
Democratic Party headquarters in the Watergate Complex in Washington DC.
-This incident is going to cause the greatest scandal of Nixon’s presidency.
 Nixon immediately begins to cover up the investigation of Watergate by saying that it involved National Security.
-The links between the White House and the break in are reported by two reporters.
-This causes both the Senate and attorney general to launch investigations.
 During the investigation aides to the President testified that Nixon had secretly recorded all of his White House
Conversations.
-The Senate asks for the tapes and Nixon refuses claiming executive privilege. (Congress has no right to question the
executive branch without presidential approval)
-It goes to court and in US v Nixon (1974) the Supreme Court said that Nixon must turn over the tapes, reaffirming the
principle that no one is above the law.
 When the tapes become public, they reveal that Nixon had lied about his role and involvement in the cover-up.
-The House of Reps moves to impeach, fearing removal from office Nixon becomes the first President to resign.
 Impact of Watergate
-Lowered public confidence in government
-too much power for president leads to abuse (congress passes laws to restore balance between executive and legislative)
-shows US govt is based on laws and checks and balances
-two party system works, can watch each other
-reaffirms role of press in uncovering govt misconduct
-Supreme Court preserves its independence
Ford and Carter Presidencies 1974-1981
 Gerald Ford becomes President of the United States in 1974 when Nixon resigns, only President who was appointed
and not elected
-One of his first acts as president was to pardon Richard Nixon, this greatly angered many Americans
 Ford faces the problem of Stagflation
-Partially created by the rise of oil prices
-Stagflation is when inflation (rising prices) meets stagnation (sluggish economy)
 Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) was formed in 1960
-In 1973 OPEC imposes an oil embargo on US and Western Europe for supporting Israel in 1973 war
-Price of Oil in US skyrockets, and has a significant impact on US economy, prices on food, gasoline, electricity, and heat
increase across the nation
 Ford continued Nixon’s détente policy with Soviet Union
-Leads to Helsinki Accords where US, Canada, and most of Europe recognize post WWII borders and respect for human
rights
 President Jimmy Carter campaigned and was elected on a promise to clean up Washington D.C.
-He also wanted US to set a moral example to other nations
 Carter’s Domestic Policy
-Created the Department of Energy to deal with energy crisis
-US began to create a strategic oil reserve in case of national emergency, tax on large cars
-Dealt with stagflation by cutting federal spending
 Community Reinvestment Act—required banks to make credit available in poor communities
-Wanted to prevent the decay of low income neighborhoods
 Carter’s foreign policy
-Carter signs the Panama Canal Treaty which returned the canal zone, except for the canal, over to Panama
-By the end of the century Panama had total control over the canal and canal zone
 After the holocaust, Israel had been the homeland of the Jews since 1948
-US policy had traditionally been very supportive of Israel in the form of economic & military aid
 In 1977 Carter invited Anwar Sadat of Egypt and Menachem Begin of Israel to Camp David for peace talks
-Under the Camp David Accords Israel returns the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt, and Egypt offers a peace treaty and normal
diplomatic relations with Israel
 Carter initially continues Nixon’s policy of détente
-After the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, US-Soviet Relations deteriorated
-US halted grain sales to USSR, boycotted 1980 Olympics, and postponed SALT II
 Iran Hostage Crisis begins with the overthrow of the Shah of Iran and his relocation to the US
-Iranian students following Ayatollah Khomeini seized the US Embassy and held the staff hostage for 444 days
 US imposed sanctions and launched a failed rescue attempt, but the inability to free the hostages damages the US’s
image and credibility across the world
-The hostages are finally released on Jimmy Carter’s last day in office.