Notes 4.7B:

1. Notes 4.7B: The Cold War Winds Down

2. I. The Watergate Scandal Nixon is re-elected in 1972. Political scandal builds around a series of break-ins at the Democratic Party Headquarters in the Watergate Hotel. Nixon resigns in 1974 after the House Judiciary Committee voted to accept three of four proposed Articles of Impeachment. Vice President Gerald Ford becomes President of the United States and finishes Nixon’s term.

3. II. Gerald Ford • Took over the presidency after Nixon resigned. • Last American President involved in Vietnam. • Had to take decisive action about domestic and foreign problems. 1. Sent Air Force and Marines to take back Payaguez freighter illegally seized by Cambodia. 2. Used Presidential power of veto 55 times to battle inflation, saving the US $9.2 billion.

4. III. Helsinki Accords The US, Canada, 3 European countries, and the USSR held a summit in 1975. An agreement was made to cooperate economically, respect existing national boundaries, and promote human rights.

5. IV. SALT I (1975) Strategic Arms Limitation Talks/ Treaty (SALT) These were meetings between the US and USSR Attempts were made on both sides to limit the arms race, especially in the area of nuclear weapons.

6. V. Jimmy Carter Elected in 1976, inaugurated in January of 1977 Delivers first national TV address to the country wearing a sweater “Ask the President” phone-in and ask questions

7. VI. Foreign Affairs SALT II – 1977 proposed to Soviet leadership and originally strongly rejected, but later Brezhnev signs Carter and Torrijos of Panama sign treaties giving control of the Panama Canal back to Panama in September of 1977, with Senate ratifying a 2nd treaty in 1978.

8. VII. Carter and the Middle East Carter meets Anwar Sadat of Egypt in April and Menachem Begin in July (Middle East – Israel/ Palestine) Camp David Summit begins in September of 1978 with Sadat and Begin March 26, 1979 – Sadat and Begin sign historic peace treaty Shah of Iran flees after growing public unrest. Conservative Muslim cleric Ayatollah Khomeini made a triumphant return from exile 2 weeks later. The Iranians take-over the US Embassy, holding 66 hostages. 444 days until all are free, after US elections, with Reagan becoming president. The day after Reagan is inaugurated, all hostages were released.

9. VIII. Domestic Affairs • Energy Crisis (Second Oil Embargo) – 1979 • Presidential Embargo on oil from Iran during the hostage crisis • Drove prices up • Shortages of gasoline at gas stations • Department of Energy had been formed in 1977 as a response to the first Oil Embargo in 1973-1974, and helped create policies on this issue.