Nixon Administration Chapter 21 Section 1-2

Nixon in a Nutshell Campaign promises 1. streamlined government 2. “Peace with honor” in Vietnam 3. return to traditional values 4. appeal to the “silent majority” (Middle America/supported the government and wanted an end to violence and turmoil).

New Federalism Nixon felt the federal government should not be all powerful and sought to restore more power to state/local government. However, revenue-sharing tended to cause the federal government to dictate how the states had to meet certain conditions to get the funds.

New Federalism Nixon sought to close down many of the programs of Johnson’s Great Society. Nixon sought to increase the power of the executive branch. Executive Power Great Society

New Federalism Nixon’s big target was the nation’s welfare system—AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children). Republicans argued that the system was structured in such a way that it was better to remain on Welfare than to get a job.

Nixon’s Foreign Policy Nixon Doctrine (Vietnamization) The policy of America expecting its allies to take care of their own defense. We would still provide military aid and training but we would not undertake “all the defense of the free nations of the world.”

Nixon’s Foreign Policy Détente (relaxation of tensions) Nixon wanted to continue to contain communism but wanted to engage and negotiate with Communists to achieve our goals.

Nixon’s Foreign Policy “We must understand that détente is not a love fest. It is an understanding between nations that have opposite purposes, but which share common interests, including the avoidance of nuclear war…”

Nixon’s Foreign Policy Détente begins with an effort to improve American-Chinese relations. Nixon lifted trade and travel restrictions and withdrawing the 7th fleet from defending Taiwan.

Nixon’s Foreign Policy The biggest shock of all was when Nixon announced that he would go to China The leaders of both nations, during the trip, agreed to more normal relations.

Nixon’s Foreign Policy Soon after Nixon’s China trip, the Soviets wanted to have a summit (high-level diplomatic meeting) Nixon flew to Moscow and became the first American president since WWII to visit the Soviets

Nixon’s Foreign Policy SALT I—Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty A plan to limit nuclear arms that the two nations had been working on (USA and USSR). Nixon and Leonid Brezhnev agreed to increase trade and scientific information.

Roots of Watergate Early in the morning June 17, 1972, five men broke into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate Complex. Bob Woodward (reporter) was assigned to see what the story would become.

Roots of Watergate During arraignment, it came out that one of the “burglars” was former CIA. If this was just petty burglary, why would former CIA be involved? Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward would spend the next two years investigating that very question.

Roots of Watergate Once the media discovered the CIA connection, and also the fact that he was a member of CREEP (Committee for the re-election of the President)…the cover-up began. While Nixon may not have ordered the break-in, he did order the cover up.

Summer of Shock John Dean (member of the inner circle of the White House) testified that Attorney General John Mitchell had ordered the break-in and the Nixon had purposely covered it up. However, he lacked hard evidence to corroborate his story.

Summer of Shock July 16, 1973—Alexander Butterfield (White House Aide) testified that Nixon had ordered a taping system installed in the White House to tape all conversations (supposedly to help him write his memoirs when he left office).

Summer of Shock Those tapes could tell exactly what the president did and didn’t know…but Nixon would not release them. Nixon plead executive privilege (the principle that White House conversations should remain confidential for security reasons).

Summer of Shock Nixon’s Vice President was then forced to resign when investigators learned that he had accepted bribes, even while serving in Washington. Gerald Ford became the new VP

Nixon Resigns Supreme Court ruled Nixon had to turn over the tapes…and he does. Several days after that, the Senate voted to impeach Nixon. Evidence started to surface, further incriminating Nixon. He resigned the office.

Impact of Watergate Gerald Ford 1.”Our long national nightmare is over”—put Watergate behind us 2. Pardoned Nixon

Impact of Watergate 1. New laws to limit the Executive Branch Federal Campaign Act Amendments Ethics in Government Act 2. Distrust of public officials in American’s minds