1970-1990

1. 1970-1990

2. Imperial Presidency • Authors of Founding Fathers tied to balance power in govt • Since 1930s, Presidential power increased greatly • Unlike Congress, President can act quickly and decisively • Radio and TV allowed presidents to more easily appeal to the people • Started to listen to personal advisors more than Cabinet members Congress had to approve • Growth of Presidential power sometimes called Imperial Presidency • Expansion of Presidential power reached peak under Richard Nixon

3. Nixon Presidency 1969-1974 • Imperial Presidency • Nixon did not consult Congress on bombing of Cambodia and Laos or the mining of N. Vietnam’s harbor • Used public funds to remodel private homes • Used CIA and FBI to collect information on political enemies • Congress voted for programs he didn’t like, Nixon refused to spend the funds

4. Nixon Presidency 1969-1974 • Domestic Policy • A Republican, Nixon wanted a more conservative direction • Believed federal social programs inefficient and better dealt w/ at local level • Eliminated several Great Society programs and gave funds to state and local govts to decide how to use

5. Nixon Presidency 1969-1974 • Domestic Policy • Sough an end to the draft • Create series of strong anti-crime laws • Advanced a broad environmental program • Promised to appoint Conservative Supreme Court Justices

6. Nixon Presidency 1969-1974 • Domestic Policy • First Amendment Rights • Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) • Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) • SC struck down law that required Amish children to go to school past 8th grade • Violated freedom of religion • Inflation • Rising prices, new trade deficit, rising unemployment • Nixon cut spending on social programs, imposed first peacetime wage and price controls • All proved unsuccessful

7. Nixon Presidency 1969-1974 • Domestic Policy • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • EPA set air and water pollution standards for cities, engages in monitoring and enforcement activities • Construction projects must pass through detailed environmental impact reviews • Private citizens can file lawsuits against polluters under EPA

8. Nixon Presidency 1969-1974 • Domestic Policy • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • Endangered Species Act (1973) • Required Fish and Wildlife Service to list species of plants and animals that are threatened w/ extinction and take further steps to protect them

9. Nixon Presidency 1969-1974 • Domestic Policy • Equal Rights Amendment • 1923 – Alice Paul (founder of National Woman’s Party) proposed “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the US or any state on account of sex” • 50 years introduced to Congress but failed to pass

10. Nixon Presidency 1969-1974 • Domestic Policy • Equal Rights Amendment • 1972 – amendment finally approved by Congress • 7 year ratification deadline by the States • Deadline extended to 1982 but still 3 states shot • Reintroduced to Congress every session since

11. Nixon Presidency 1969-1974 • Domestic Policy • Equal Rights Amendment • Critic of Women’s Liberation Movement Phyllis Schlafly • Book attacked liberal Republicans and was used by Goldwater supporters in 1964 election • Campaigned against ERA • Believed it would reduce rights of wives an harm family life • Claimed it would deprive women the “right” to be “supported and protected” by men

12. Nixon Presidency 1969-1974 • Foreign Policy • Believed President’s most important role was directing foreign policy • Assisted by foreign policy expert Henry Kissinger

13. Nixon Presidency 1969-1974 • Foreign Policy • Reopening relations with China, 1972 • Since 1949, US refused to establish diplomatic relations with Communist govt • US had vetoed Communist China entering UN • Nixon strong anti-Communist, but restored diplomatic relations with Communist China • 1972 – first President to visit mainland China • Nixon’s greatest foreign policy achievement

14. Nixon Presidency 1969-1974 • Foreign Policy • Détente with Soviet Union, 1972 • Pursued detent – relaxing of tensions • Nixon introduced to relation with USSR • Wanted to stop buildup of nuclear weapons • Nixon became first President to visit Moscow • Signed SALT with Soviet leaders, limited development of defensive missile systems • Agreed to sell American grain to USSR to help with food shortages • 1973 – US and USSR pressured Israel and Arab states to conclude in cease-fire

15. Nixon Presidency 1969-1974 • Foreign Policy • Vice President Ford takes office • In re-election, Nixon promised a return to “law and order” • Soon, learned Nixon’s govt was corrupt • 1973 – Nixon’s VP Spiro Agnew resigned when discovered he took bribes as Governor of Maryland • Under 25th amendment, Nixon appointed Gerald Ford as new VP

16. Watergate Crisis • 1972 – group of former CIA agents working for Nixon re-election • Caught in Democratic Party headquarters at Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. • President Nixon tried to cover up investigation saying it involved national security • 2 investigative reporters first to report possible links between White House and break-in • Senate created committee to investigate • Attorney General appointed Special Prosecutor to examine possible wrong doing

17. Watergate Crisis • Watergate Tapes • At Senate hearings, Presidential aide stated Nixon participated in the cover-up • Revealed Nixon had secretly recorded all of own Whitehouse conversations • Senate Committed asked to listen, Nixon refused citing executive privilege • Congress had no authority to question members of the executive branch about communications advising the President without Presidential approval

18. Watergate Crisis • Watergate Tapes • United States v. Nixon (1974) – Nixon further contended if obeyed the district court to turn over tapes, it would lead to judicial control of the Presidency • SC ruled Nixon must turn over tapes • No one is above the law

19. Watergate Crisis • When tapes made public, revealed Nixon had lied about not being in the cover-up. • House of Representatives moved to impeach Nixon • Fearing removal from office, Nixon became first President to resign

20. Ford Presidency 1974-1977 • Gerald Ford became President • Not elected, been appointed by Nixon • First act of Ford’s was the pardon Nixon of all crimes • Not very popular…

21. Ford Presidency 1974-1977 • Ford’s main woes were economic • Economics believed inflation accompanied economic growth and full employment, not recession • Americans suffered from stagflation – high unemployment with inflation

22. Ford Presidency 1974-1977 • Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) formed in 1960 • OPEC mostly Arab countries • 1973 countries used oil as political weapon by imposing oil embargo on US and W. Europe for siding with Israel in 1973 war • Overnight, oil prices shot up • Even with war over, OPEC push oil prices higher to enrich own economies • Higher cost impacted US economy – everything from heating to food to electricity to gasoline

23. Ford Presidency 1974-1977 • Helsinki Accords • Ford continued détente with USSR • 1975 – US, Canada, USSR, and most of Europe signed international agreement recognizing post WWII borders and promising respect for human rights

24. Carter Presidency 1977-1981 • Many people blamed Republicans for Watergate • Jimmy Carter, former Governor of Georgia, was nominated for Democrats • He was elected as an “outsider” who promised to “clean up” Washington

25. Carter Presidency 1977-1981 • Carter’s main problem was economy • Inflation more than 10%, interest rates rose 20%, and unemployment high

26. Carter Domestic Policy • To deal with economy: • Energy crisis • Created Department of Energy • Increased oil in nation’s “Strategic Petroleum Reserve” • Wanted special tax on large cars and power to ration gas, but Congress said no

27. Carter Domestic Policy • Stagflation • Cut federal spending but inflation stayed high until 2 years later • Environment • Provided funds to clean up toxic dump sites • Following accident at Three Mile Island nuclear reactor in 1979, created Nuclear Regulatory Commission to develop stricter standards for peaceful use of nuclear energy

28. Carter Domestic Policy • Diversity • Appointed women and minority to govt posts • Sponsored bill requiring public schools to provide instructions to students in their native language while trying to learn English

29. Carter Domestic Policy • Carter pushed Community Reinvestment Act (1977) • Required banks to stop “redlining” • Banks have to make credit available to poor communities

30. Carter Foreign Policy • Wanted US to set a moral example to other nations • Condemned apartheid in S. Africa, pressured USSR to allow Jews to emigrate, and cut dictatorships that violated human rights

31. Carter Foreign Policy • Panama Canal Treaty, 1977 • Gave control of Canal Zone, except for canal itself, to Panama. • Agreed to turn over canal by the end of the century

32. Carter Foreign Policy • Camp David Accords, 1977 • Egypt and Israel had fought each other in series of wars since 1948 • 1977 – Carter invites Anwar Sadat, President of Egypt, and Menachem Begin, Prime Minster of Israel, to Camp David retreat in Maryland • Israel agreed to return Sinai Peninsula to Egypt • Egypt offered peace treaty and establishment of normal diplomatic relations w/ Israel • Sadat and Begin awarded Nobel Peace Prize • Many Arab leaders denounced agreement • Sadat assassinated by Muslim Fundamentalists

33. Carter Foreign Policy • US-Soviet Relations • Initially continued détente w/ USSR • USSR invaded Afghanistan 1979 • Brought temporary end to détente • Halted grain sales to Soviets, boycotted 1980 Olympics in Moscow, proposed ratification of new arms agreement SALT II

34. Carter Foreign Policy • Iranian Revolution and Hostage Crisis • Shah of Iran an ally of US but also dictator • 1978 – widespread demonstrations broke out • Shah fled and Ayatollah Khomeini and other religious leaders took over • Fundamentalist Shiite Muslims hostile to western influence

35. Carter Foreign Policy • Iranian Revolution and Hostage Crisis • Oct 1979, Shah entered US for medical treatment • 2 weeks later angry Iranian students seized staff of US embassy in Tehran, Iran • Hostages blindfolded, tied up, accused of working for CIA • Embassy staff held hostage for more than a year

36. Carter Foreign Policy • Iranian Revolution and Hostage Crisis • US imposed economic sanctions on Iran • Other countries supported US • US’s image suffered because of inability to free hostages • Any attempt to free them failed • Negotiations finally led to release on the day Carter left office

37. New Conservatism • 1980s saw resurgence of conservatism • Reagan and Bush decided to cut down the size of the federal govt, reducing taxes and federal regulations on business while increasing private competition • Favored strong military establishments

38. Roots of New Conservatism • Similar ideas as Margaret Thatcher of England • Combat unions • Reduce taxes • Cut govt spending • Reduce govt regulations • Reagan received support from number of leading American conservative groups; • NRA (National Rifle Association) • Became political after Gun Control Act of 1968 • NRA endorsed Ronald Reagan, first time in US history • Other conservative groups: • Moral Majority • Mainly Fundamentalist Christians • Jerry Falwell and others were socially conservative and anti-Communist • Opposed Equal Rights Amendment • Helped get Reagan elected • Dissolved in 1989, “our mission is accomplished” • Heritage Foundation • “think-tank” in Washington, DC • Seeks to promote principles of free-enterprise, limited govt, individual freedoms, values, and strong national defense • Non-profit lobbying group that attempts to influence legislation

39. Reagan Presidency 1981-1989 • Popular Hollywood actor after WWII, Reagan president of actors’ union before politics • Originally a Democrat, grew more conservative because fed govt too powerful and intrusive • Governor of California, took tough stand against student protests of 1960s • Lost race Republican nomination in 1968 and 1976 but won in 1980 • Texas Congressman George H.W. Bush running mate • Swept into office over Jimmy Carter

40. Domestic Policy • Confident, optimistic outlook • Felt individuals and businesses better able to solve economic problems than govt • Reversed trend of increased federal control started in Progressive Era

41. Domestic Policy • Reaganomics • Stagflation still problem • Solve problem with “supply-side economics” • Reduce taxes on businesses and regulations, easier to produce more goods • Larger supply of goods would drive down prices and stop inflation • More employment • 1983 – economy starting to come out of recession • Encouraged greater business activity • New oil supplies from Alaska and North Sea stabilized oil prices

42. Reaganomics • Tax cuts and domestic spending • Cut taxes on businesses and wealthy • Groups would invest into productivity and employment, resulting in benefits “trickling down” to other groups • Reduced spending in welfare to finance • Increased military spending • Financed through borrowing • Increased spending stimulated entire economy, creating demand for many goods and services • Deregulation • Eliminated many fed regulations making easier for new companies to compete • Ordered many regulatory agencies to cut back rule making to allow businesses greater freedom • Relaxed enforcement of anti-trust laws and allowed more business mergers • Other factors • World oil prices stabilized • New employment in compute programming and health care • Took steps against unions to allow more flexible work practices • Fired air traffic controllers on strike

43. Domestic Policy • Federal deficit and national debt • Federal deficit – amount of money fed govt spends beyond what it collects in taxes • Reagan promised govt spending limited to taxes raised • Military spending caused deficit to increase and national debt more than doubled

44. Domestic Policy • Trade Imbalance • Americans bought more goods and services abroad than sold • Imbalance led to loss of millions of jobs, closing of steel mills and auto plants, and drop in disposable income of many Americans • Immigration Policy • Deal with problem of illegal immigrants, Mazzoli-Simpson Act (1986) • Legalized illegal aliens who lived continuously in US since 1981

45. Domestic Policy • Sandra Day O’Connor • 1981 – Regan nominated her as first women on US Supreme Court • Born in El, Paso, Texas, studied in California before moving to Arizona • Conservative who preferred “judicial restraint” • Emerged in 1990s as swing vote between conservative and liberal votes on Court

46. Reagan Foreign Policy • Wanted to rebuild American confidence after Vietnam, Watergate, and Iran Hostage Crisis • US world’s principle defender of freedom and democracy

47. Foreign Policy • Reagan Doctrine • 1983 – Reagan sent US Marines to Caribbean island of Grenada after Communists took over to protect Americans on island and prevent Cuba from exporting Communism • Showed Reagan willing to use force against Communism • 1985 – introduced Reagan Doctrine • US not simply contain Communism • Attempt to “roll-back” Communism by aiding “freedom fighters” in Afghanistan, Angola, Nicaragua, and Cambodia

48. Foreign Policy • Peace Through Strength • Best way to prevent war was to think US had means and will to stop aggression • Sharply increased military spending • Proposed research into anti-ballistic defense system, the Strategic Defense Initiative (also called Star Wars) • Disturbed Soviet leaders who feared own expense of developing a similar weapon system

49. Foreign Policy • Threat of Terrorism • 1982 – Israeli force invaded Lebanon setting off civil war between Christians and Palestinian refugees • Lebanon requests multinational force of US Marines and French paratroopers to restore order • 1983 – suicide bomber attacked American and French barracks in Beirut, capital of Lebanon • 241 US Marines and 58 French paratroopers killed • President Reagan withdrew American forces from Lebanon

50. Foreign Policy • Threat of Terrorism • Reagan would not negotiate with terrorists • Bombed two cities in Libya when though leader Muammar Gaddafi supported terrorist activities that caused explosion in Berlin • Libya admitted was responsible for blowing up Pan Am flight over Scotland in 1988