Nixon to Carter

1. Nixon to Carter

2. Nixon, Ford, & Carter • Took office in 69 & determined conservative • New Federalism: give back some of the power & responsibilities to states & localities (downsize federal gov’t) • Had to negotiate w/ democrat controlled Congress • Increased spending for Social Security, Medicare, food stamps

3. Nixon impounded funds for some programs (later unconstitutional) • Late 60s & early 70s US faced stagflation: high inflation & unemployment • Caused by deficit spending (war & new programs), increased international competition, new workers (baby boomers), dependence on foreign oil

4. Nixon focused more on foreign affairs (Vietnam, China, USSR) • Change from containment to realpolitik (more flexible approach to communism) • Détente: easing of Cold War tensions

5. Nixon recognized China & visited (wanted to take advantage of rift between USSR & China) • visited Moscow & signed SALT I (limit # of missiles) • End of Vietnam, détente, USSR & Chinese relations helped him win election of 72 • Watergate scandal led to his downfall, resigned before impeachment began (74), Ford sworn in

6. Ford pardoned Nixon Sep 1974 (bad PR move) • Inflation, unemployment, energy prices (OPEC) rise • Ford called on a citizen led program: WIN but failed • Cut spending, raised interest rates (worst recession in 40 yrs)

7. Battled democratic controlled Congress, vetoed 50 bills in 2 yrs • Continued Nixon’s foreign policy w/ Kissinger’s help • Helsinki Accords: cooperation between nations • Cease fire ended in Vietnam (Saigon falls), problems in Cambodia

8. Carter narrowly won election over Ford • Used fireside chats & honest, down to earth style • #1 problem: OPEC energy crisis, 100 proposals to Congress • passed National Energy Act: tax on gas-guzzling cars, removed price controls on oil & natural gas, tax credit for alternative energy

9. OPEC passed another price hike & inflation soared • Economy changing from manufacture to service • Booming economies of W. Germany & Asian tigers cut into US markets

10. Carter promoted human rights over realpolitik, cut nations off for human rights abuses • Gave up control of Panama Canal to improve relations in Latin America • Détente ended when USSR invaded Afghanistan

11. Helped to create Camp David Accords: peace between Egypt & Israel • Iranian students seized US embassy in Theran & took 52 hostages , finally released in 1981 after Reagan was sworn in (444 days)

12. Image Sources (in order) • http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://cacpeaceday.wikispaces.com/file/view/RichardNixonHelicopter.jpg/31296833/RichardNixonHelicopter.jpg&imgrefur • lhttp://www.historycentral.com/elections/1968PresElect.jpg • csmonitor.com • asiatravel.org • http://www.ibhistorytopics.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/2007-06-11-nixon_detente1.jpg • http://www.history.com/images/media/slideshow/gerald-ford/gerald-ford-salt.jpg • http://www.historycommons.org/events-images/b274_jimmy_carter_2050081722-23075.jpg • http://media.cnbc.com/i/CNBC/Sections/News_And_Analysis/_News/_SLIDESHOWS/AutoMilestones/SS_milestones_energycrisis.jpg • http://www.dailyhistory.net/images/panama-canal-handover-jimmy-carter-mireya-moscoso.jpg • http://www.britannica.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/0000078620-cartej008-004.jpg • http://www.thinktankprm.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/iran-hostage-crisis.jpg