The Nixon Administration Chapter 27, Section1 By Mr. Thomas Parsons

I. Appealing to Middle America A. Middle America – 1. Many Americans supported the government and longed for an end to the violence of the 1960’s. 2. Republican Candidate Richard Nixon appealed “Middle America.” 3. Silent Majority – those who wanted conservative ideals, not vocal about it. 4. Nixon promised them: a. peace in Vietnam b. law and order c. a streamlined government d. return to conservative values.

B. The Election of Democratic Hubert Humphrey 2. Independent - George Wallace 3. Republicans - Richard Nixon – Won with only 43.4 percent of the popular vote.

C. Much of Nixon’s success in the election came from the South. 1. Nixon promised a. to appoint conservatives to the federal courts b. to name a Southerner to the Supreme Court c. to oppose court- ordered busing d. to choose a vice president acceptable to the South. 2. As a result, a large number of white Southerners left the Democratic Party and voted for Nixon.

D. The Southern Strategy 1. After his election Victory, Nixon began to win even more southerners to the Republican Party. 2. He took steps to slow desegregation.

E. Fulfilling the promises of “Law and Order” 1. Nixon set out to battle American crime. 2. Nixon criticized the Supreme Court regarding expanded rights for accused criminals. 3. He appointed several conservative judges to the Supreme Court, including one from the South.

F. Nixon’s New Federalism 1. Several federal programs were dismantled and gave more control to state and local governments. 2. Congress passed a series of revenue- sharing bills that provided federal funds to state and local agencies. a. It was Intended to give state and local agencies increased power. b. It actually led to a greater dependency on federal funds.

G. The Family Assistance Plan 1. In 1969 Nixon proposed replacing the existing Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) welfare program with his Family Assistance Plan. 2. The plan would give needy families a guaranteed yearly grant of $1, The program won House approval but was later defeated in the Senate.

II. Nixon’s Foreign Policy A. President Nixon’s administration focused mainly on the subject of foreign affairs. B. Henry Kissinger 1. Nixon chose former Harvard professor Henry Kissinger as his national security advisor. 2. Nixon and Kissinger attempted friendlier relations with the Soviet Union and China. (linkage)

C. A Multipolar World 1. Nixon was anti-communist but rejected the idea of a “bipolar world” [United States and the Soviet Union confronting each other] 2. Nixon felt the “multipolar” world would need a different approach. 3. Nixon and Kissinger – pushed détente - or relaxation of tensions between US and Soviet Union / China. 4. He wanted to build a better relationship with its rivals to ensure world peace.

D. Easing tensions with China – 1. Nixon lifted trade and travel restrictions and withdrew the Seventeenth Fleet from defending Taiwan. 2. In February 1972, Nixon took a historic trip to China 3. Both leaders (Nixon and Mao) agreed to better relations between the nations.

E. SALT I 1. As a result of US/China Summit, Soviet Union suggested an American-Soviet summit - or high-level diplomatic meeting 2. In May Nixon became the first president to visit the Soviet Union. 3. During the summit, the countries signed the first Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT 1) to limit nuclear arms. 4. The countries agreed to increase trade and the exchange of scientific information.