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The Seventies and Eighties

The Seventies and Eighties. Nixon’s Presidency. New Federalism – idea was to give power back to states Used Revenue Sharing and Block Grants (US gov’t provided funds, but let States run programs such as Medicaid) A reaction to New Deal, Great Society Growth of Federal Gov’t

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The Seventies and Eighties

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  1. The Seventies and Eighties

  2. Nixon’s Presidency • New Federalism – idea was to give power back to states • Used Revenue Sharing and Block Grants (US gov’t provided funds, but let States run programs such as Medicaid) • A reaction to New Deal, Great Society Growth of Federal Gov’t • Southern Strategy – tried to attract Southern votes • 1968 election George Wallace won several states as 3rd party • Nixon pushed to slow integration and forced bussing • Nominated more conservatives to Supreme Court • Planned worked – from 1972 on, Deep South votes Republican unless Democrats run a Southerner (Carter, Clinton)

  3. The Burger Court • 1969, Chief Justice Earl Warren Resigns • Replaced by Warren Burger • Swainn v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board (1973) • Upheld forced bussing for Integration of schools • Furman v. Georgia (1972) • Capital punishment ended as it was then. • What was the problem? • Gregg v. Georgia (1976) allows it again • Roe v. Wade (1973) - Abortion

  4. Nixon’s Foreign Policy • Nixon Doctrine – based more on power than principles • Sometimes refer to as the “imperial presidency” • Led by Henry Kissinger (“Real Politek – more practical) • Détente – easing of Cold War tensions • Ping-Pong diplomacy • Nixon is first President to visit China and USSR • How did he use the rivalry between the two powers to his advantage? • 1972, U.S. officially recognizes (Red) China and they are added to U.N.

  5. Nixon Foreign Policy II • Vietnam • “Vietnamization” • Paris Accords in 1973 • SALT • Strategic Arms Limitations Talks • Treaty with USSR to limit missiles • Nixon Foreign legacy • Even critics agree that his policies had enhanced world peace

  6. 1972 Election • Democrats nominate George McGovern • Very liberal • Think back to 1964 and Goldwater • How do Americans like extremes? • Nixon wins in a major Landslide (520-17) • What does this say about Americans their view of him after 4 years? • Soon after his VP Spiro Agnew will resign • According to 25th Amendment rules, he is replaced

  7. Watergate • During 1972 elections, “Plumbers” broke into DNC headquarters at the Watergate Hotel. • Journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein investigate • Found some were part of CREEP – Committee to Reelect the President. • Nixon claimed “Executive Privilege” • Had to release the tape according to US v. Nixon • Cover-up does Nixon in and he resigns in August 1974

  8. Watergate effects • President Ford ultimately grants Nixon a full pardon. • Between Vietnam and Watergate, trust in government deeply damaged. • View of the Presidency changes after Watergate.

  9. 1970s Stagflation • Begins with Nixon, but continues with Ford and Carter • Stagflation = High inflation + High unemployment • Nixon tried price and wage freezes in 1971 • Deindustrialization effects • Energy Crisis effects • OPEC – Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries • Would raise oil prices multiple times in 1970s (starts after Yom Kippur War) Gas lines

  10. 1976 • Bicentennial celebration • 1976 Election • Rep – Ford • Dem – Carter • Ford still has the effects of the Pardon. • Carter seen as an outsider from Washington DC • Carter creates “misery index” that basically measures stagflation.

  11. Was there anything good in the 70s? • Carter best known for promoting Human Rights • SALT II – continued reduction of nuclear weapons • Camp David Accords - 1978 • Carter conducts peace talks between Egypt (Sadat) and Israel (Begin)

  12. Carter and bad times • Panama Canal Treaty • Debate over returning Canal to Panama • Three Mile Island 1979 • Worst nuclear accident in U.S. History • Love Canal – community built on toxic waste • Iran Hostage Crisis • U.S. Embassy attacked by Khomeini supporters • 52 Americans taken hostage • Rescue mission fails • Held for 444 days (Reagan Inauguration day) • 1980 Summer Olympics • USSR invades Afghanistan • Carter decides to cancel U.S. participation in Moscow Games

  13. Carter and Economics • Stagflation continues • Interest Rates continue to rise • Inflation 14% in 1980 • National Energy Act • Meant to help U.S.’s dependence on foreign oil • Malaise Speech by Carter about the energy crisis

  14. 1980 Election • Carter’s “misery index” used against him • Republican – Reagan • Former actor and California governor considered outsider (Watergate effect continues)

  15. Reaganomics • 1. Budget Cuts to Social Programs • 2. Tax Cuts – Trickle-Down Economics • Supply-side economics • 3. Increase Military Spending • SDI – Strategic Defense Initiative (Star Wars) • Effects • Cold War ultimately won • National Debt climbs • Economy improves • Reagan = Telfon President

  16. Morning Again • Economy improves in early 1980s • Grenada Invasion • Reagan’s meeting with Gorbachev (USSR) • Sandra Day O’Connor’s appointment • 1984 Election

  17. What was being ignored in the 80s? • Rising crime and homelessness • Factory jobs going overseas • AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) • Appears in early 1980s • What does Reagan administration do? • What is the effect on the sexual revolution? • Savings and Loans Crisis • In part due to Reagan’s Deregulation • Leads to Recession in early ’90s • Who gets blamed?

  18. Foreign Affairs • Problems in Latin America during the 80s • 1983 Terrorists bombing in Beirut (241 Marines killed) • 1986 U.S. bombs Libya • 1989 U.S. invades Panama and capture Manuel Noriega • Iran-Contra Scandal – sale of weapons to Iran, money given to Contras in Nicaragua (against Sandinistas) • Does Reagan get blamed?

  19. End of the Eighties • 1988 Election • Rep – George H.W. Bush (Reagan’s VP) • Dem – Michael Dukakis • 1989 Tiananmen Square in China • Fall of Communism

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