Nixon, Ford, Carter & Reagan Presidencies

1. Nixon, Ford, Carter & Reagan Presidencies May 19, 2014 Note Packet “L”

2. Nixon’s Foreign Policy • Nixon Doctrine • No more direct US military protection in Asia • Relationship with China • Nixon & Zedong agreed to normal diplomatic relations • Open to economic & cultural exchanges • Reduced tensions

3. Nixon’s Foreign Policy • Relationship with the Soviet Union • Détente • “warm the cold war” & prevent open conflict • “Realpolitik” – decisions based on what US needed for strength & stability

4. Nixon’s Foreign Policy • Relationship with the Soviet Union • SALT (Strategic Arms Limitations Talks) • SALT agreement set limitson numbers of defensive missile sites & offensive missileseach nation would keep

5. Nixon’s Domestic Policy • Gov’t response to environmental & consumer movements • New Federalism • Reduce role of fed. gov’t, increase state gov’t • Revenue sharing – fed gov’t gives some income to states • Slow inflation caused by Vietnam • Wage-price freeze

6. Nixon’s Domestic Policy • Space Program • Neil Armstrong • 26th amendment • Women’s rights movement

8. The Watergate Affair What – illiegal break-in to wiretap phones in Democratic Party HQs Where – Watergate Towers (apt. complex in DC) When – July 17, 2972 Who – Committee to Reelect the President (acting w/knowledge of high-level Nixon advisors) Why – secure info to undermine Democratic Party

9. The Watergate Affair • The Cover-Up • Senate est. a committee to look into “illegal activities” • Nixon’s VP charged with tax evasion, Ford becomes VP • Senate uncovers tape recordingsbetween Nixon & aides • Supreme Court demanded tapes  Nixon refused  voting to impeach  Nixon resigns

10. The Watergate Affair • Significance of Watergate • Showed the Constitution works(system of checks & balances) • Decline in public trust of gov’t

11. Ford’s Foreign Policy Assisted in negotiations in Middle East Continued Détente policy

12. Ford’s Domestic Policy • Nixon’s pardon • Public questioned decision • Amnesty Plan • Met criticism when offered amnesty to thousands who avoided Vietnam draft

13. Ford’s Domestic Policy • Inflation • OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) placed embargo on US (supported Israel) • Gas & oil doubles

14. Carter’s Foreign Policy • Helsinki Accords • Promised to respect basic human rights, withhold aid to nations in violation • Camp David Accords • Peace treaty between Israel & Egypt mediated by Carter

15. Carter’s Foreign Policy • Détente problems • Détente endedwhen Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan • US cut off grain shipments to Soviets • Boycotted Olympics • Hostage Crisis • Islamic Rebelsseized US embassy in Teheran holding 50+ hostages

16. Carter’s Domestic Policy • Stagflation • Unproductivity of economy & inflation of prices • Energy problem • 40% of oil imported, world’s leading energy consumer • Urged development of alternative fuel sources • Corporate Bailouts • Corporations failing b/c of stagflation • Huge loans given out

17. Carter’s Domestic Policy • Environmental problems • Stagflation prevented implementing environment programs • Nuclear Energy • Possible alternative to oil & coal • Three Mile Island Accident • Shed light on hazards of nuclear power

18. Carter’s Domestic Policy • Election of 1980 • Republican candidate Reagan promised new beginning • Swept election

19. Reagan’s First Term Foreign Policy • Adopted a tough stand towards communism • Intervention in Central America • Continued support to countries in communist threat • Limited military intervention • Failed peacekeeping attempts in Middle East • Terrorism

20. Reagan’s First Term Domestic Policy • “Reaganomics” • supply – side economics • Tax breaks to businesses & wealthy • Ones who will reinvest, encourage economic growth • Trickle – Down economics • Economic growth depends onincreased amount of capital available to businesses

21. Reagan’s First Term Domestic Policy • “Star Wars” • National security depends on defense • SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative) – massive satellite shield to intercept & destroy Soviet missiles • Immigration reform • Forbids employers form hiring illegal immigrants (didn’t solve problem)

22. Election of 1984 • Reagan (P) & George H.W. Bush (VP) won • 1st president since Eisenhower to serve 2 full terms

23. Reagan’s Second Term Foreign Policy • Iran – Contra Affair • Presidential aides sold weapons to Iran in exchange for freeing hostages • Money went to support anti-communist reels in Nicaragua(contras) • Presidential stance on ban on terrorism bargaining, aid to contras

24. Reagan’s Second Term Foreign Policy • Renewal of Détente • Gorbachev criticism “Star Wars”, called for renewal of détente • Gorbachev’s glasnost & perestroika • Increased political freedom in Soviet Union, E Europe, some free enterprise to improve economic conditions • Arms Reductions • Elimination of short range & medium range land-based missiles

25. Reagan’s Second Term Foreign Policy • End of the Cold War • Reform & anticommunist movements in E Europe • Berlin Wall fell, Germany reunited • Soviet Union broken up

26. Reagan’s Second Term Foreign Policy Continued terrorism Drug trade Ending apartheid in Africa

27. Reagan’s Second Term Domestic Policy Continued New Federalism Criticism of deficit spending (spend more than you make) & tax cuts