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A CRISIS IN CONFIDENCE 1969-1980

A CRISIS IN CONFIDENCE 1969-1980. America: Past and Present Chapter 31. Nixon in Power. Apparent success in first term Triumphs in foreign affairs Nixon cuts himself off from Congress, his own cabinet, and the nation. Reshaping the Great Society. Nixon and the Great Society

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A CRISIS IN CONFIDENCE 1969-1980

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  1. A CRISIS IN CONFIDENCE 1969-1980 America: Past and Present Chapter 31

  2. Nixon in Power • Apparent success in first term • Triumphs in foreign affairs • Nixon cuts himself off from Congress, his own cabinet, and the nation

  3. Reshaping the Great Society • Nixon and the Great Society • more efficient administration • shift responsibility to the states • shift school desegregation to the courts • Shift to conservative Supreme Court • appointment of conservatives and moderates • Burger Court similar to Warren Court • Pace of change slows but continues

  4. Nixonomics • Nixon and inflation • inflation spurred by Vietnam • federal spending cuts • interest rates forced up • 1970--Nixon-induced recession • 1971--wage and price controls • Economy revives

  5. Building a Republican Majority • Nixon obsessed about reelection • Inactive on desegregation to win South • Attack cultural revolution to win “middle America” • Democrats try to retain majority by joining crusade against drugs, crime

  6. In Search of Détente • Foreign-policy assumptions • Cold War to be managed, not won • America must make a strategic retreat • improve relations with China to neutralize Russia • February 1972--Nixon visits China

  7. In Search of Détente:Outcome of China Visit • February 1972--U.S. recognition of Communist China set in motion • May 1972--Russians sign SALT I • Apparent mutual desire to reduce Cold War tensions

  8. Ending the Vietnam War • Nixon’s plan - VIETNAMIZATION • gradual reduction of American troops • intensify American bombing • hard line at the peace talks • 1970--invasion of Cambodia • January, 1973--peace talks conclude with disguised American surrender

  9. The Crisis of Democracy • June, 1972--Nixon agents arrested for attempted Watergate break-in • Nixon stonewalled the press about White House involvement • even instructed aides to lie under oath

  10. The Election of 1972 • Nixon’s opponents • American Independent George Wallace--shot and disabled, followers vote for Nixon • Democrat George McGovern--nomination alienates middle class; Staunch Liberal • Nixon landslide suggests new alignment • middle class shifting to Republican conservatism • African Americans, Jews, the poor remain strongly Democratic

  11. The Watergate Scandal • Summer 1973--Senate investigation • damaging Senate hearings on cover-up • White House tapes discovered • Summer 1974 • Nixon must relinquish tapes; “smoking gun” of investigation • House Judiciary committee recommends impeachment • August 9, 1974--Nixon resigns

  12. The Watergate Scandal: Consequences • Demonstrated growing power of the executive branch • Illustrates vitality of institutions • the press • the federal judiciary • Congress • Encourages more cynicism about Washington and politics (politicians)

  13. Energy and the Economy • U.S. way of life based on cheap energy • 1970s energy crisis sparks inflation

  14. The October War • October, 1973--Yom Kippur War pits Egypt, Syria against Israel • U.S. supplies weapons to Israel • Arab oil nations retaliate with boycott • prices of gasoline and home heating fuel rose sharply

  15. The Oil Shocks • Effects of soaring oil prices • consumer spending plunges • recession by 1974 • inflation persists through 1970s • Tax cut aids consumer spending and encourages recovery • 1979--Iranian Revolution causes second surge in oil prices

  16. The Oil Shocks: Price Increases of Crude Oil and Gasoline, 1973-1985

  17. The Search for an Energy Policy • Ford tries to encourage production • Carter tries to encourage conservation • Congressional legislation to • encourage production, e.g. Alaska pipeline • encourage conservation, e.g. gas rationing • Energy problem persists

  18. The Great Inflation • Oil prices drive inflation • price of goods soars • real income declines as buying power diminishes due to inflation • Attempted government controls result in record high interest rates (pull $ out of circulation to increase value of $ left in market, thereby decreasing inflation.)

  19. The Shifting American Economy • U.S. share of world markets declines • U.S. heavy industrial production declines…U.S. becomes service industry centered • High technology prospers • Businesses tend to diversify

  20. The Ford Administration1974-76 • Pardon of Nixon unpopular • Democratic Congress alienated • disclosure of illegal CIA activities under Kennedy and Johnson • opposes Democratic bills protecting the environment and civil rights

  21. The 1976 Campaign • Ford damaged by Watergate • Democrat Jimmy Carter wins close vote • former governor of Georgia • campaigns as outsider • calls for decency, morality in government

  22. Disenchantment with Carter • Carter displays lack of political vision • Outsider status hampers effectiveness • 1979--Carter blames American people for "national malaise"

  23. From Détente to Renewed Cold War • U.S. international dominance declined sharply in the 1970s • Internal and external events weakened foreign policy

  24. Retreat in Asia • April 1975--North Vietnam captures Saigon • U.S. response--evacuation, no aid • Subsequent incidents met with caution, restraint

  25. Accommodation in Latin America • 1977--treaty returns Panama Canal to Panama • 1979--U.S. refuses aid to Nicaraguan government against Sandinistas • Carter assists El Salvador against Marxist rebels

  26. The Quest for Peace in the Middle East • Carter’s success • 1978--Camp David Accords • 1979--Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty • Carter’s failure • 1979--Iranian Revolution • November--U.S. embassy in Teheran invaded, 58 Americans taken hostage • Carter fails to secure hostages’ release

  27. The Cold War Resumes • Carter, Brzezinski shift from Détente • condemn Soviet human rights abuses • new missile systems deployed • increased aid to China • December, 1979--Russians invade Afghanistan

  28. A Failed Presidency • Carter lost public confidence during the Iranian hostage crisis • Double-digit inflation also contributed to voter disappointment

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