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Nixon’s Silent Majority & Domestic Agenda. How does Nixon’s Domestic policies affect America?. The Silent Majority. Because of the chaos of the 60s, Nixon appealed to the “Silent Majority” (Middle class suburbanites & southerners) Nixon promises return to law & order, declares a war on drugs
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Nixon’s Silent Majority & Domestic Agenda How does Nixon’s Domestic policies affect America?
The Silent Majority • Because of the chaos of the 60s, Nixon appealed to the “Silent Majority” (Middle class suburbanites & southerners) • Nixon promises return to law & order, declares a war on drugs • Discuss: What message is Nixon both sending to the silent majority and to the protest movement? • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3K2N7FZSXc
Law & Order Politics • To restore law & order Nixon has FBI infiltrate anti-war groups, wire-tap protest organizers, liberals, and Democratic party • Used IRS to harass anti-war leaders (surprise audits) • Uses VP Spiro Agnew to harass the media, which Nixon saw as anti-war cheerleaders • Creates an “enemies list”
Nixon’s New Federalism • Wanted to decrease size of the Federal Govt (due to Great Society) by giving some of Fed’s power to state & local govts • Nixon proposes revenue sharing program – state & local govts could spend federal aid dollars however they saw fit • To win support of Congress, he increased money to some social programs but also “impounded” funds to other programs
Social Changes • Nixon pushes Family Assistance Plan (FAP), poor family of 4 gets up to $5600 a year, requires job training (replace welfare) • FAP passes House but dies in Senate (Reps say too much guaranteed money, Dems say not enough) • Nixon compromises, will give more money to Medicaid & Food Stamps but will try to end HUD and EOA • Senate still rejects FAP
Nixon’s Southern Strategy • Trying to gain support of Southern Democrats, Nixon attempts to slow down integration • Many white parents upset at new mandatory bussing, Nixon asks Congress to slow down mandatory bussing • NAACP files suit in Swan v. Mecklenburg- SupremeCourt upholds bussing of minority students into white areas • Many southerners begin switching to Republican party
Other Major Changes Under Nixon First men walk on the moon (1969) 2. 26th Amendment – lowers voting age to 18 3. Title IX law – creates gender equality in sports & PE • Significant domestic events during Nixon’s presidency incl: 4. Creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – influenced by Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring (pesticides) 5. Clean Air Act of 1970 Discuss: What was significant about moon landing?
A Stagnant Economy • Stagflation (high inflation & unemployment) creates slow growth of economy, caused by too much spending (Vietnam + GS) • OPEC countries cut oil supplies to US (due to support of Israel), causes high gas prices • Nixon takes US off “Gold Standard” can’t convert $ to gold • Wants reduce debt by 1) Raising taxes 2) Cut spending (incl no tax money for USPS) 3) Freezing prices & wages