#62 Chapter 24.1 The Nixon Administration OBJECTIVE: Describe President Nixon’s policies toward the problems facing him

Problem #1 Size and power of the federal government New Federalism--- program to turn over part of the federal government’s power to state and local governments.

Problem #2 Inefficiency of the welfare system Advocated the Family Assistance Plan (FAP). It was a program designed to reduce the role of the federal government in welfare and make the welfare recipients responsible for their own lives.

Problem #3 Vietnam War and domestic disorder Vietnamization Approved wiretapping of left wing, anti-war, and civil rights groups.

Problem #4 Nixon’s re-election Nixon adopted the Southern Strategy (1972)--- an attempt to attract the support of Southern conservative Democrats who were unhappy with desegregation policies and the liberal Supreme Court.

Problem #5 Liberalism of the Supreme Court justices Nixon replaced 4 retired justices with conservative justices which tilted the Supreme Court in a more conservative direction. Harry Andrew Blackmun Lewis F. Powell William Rehnquist Warren Burger

Problem #6 Stagflation and recession Raised taxes- Congress not support Cut budget- Congress not support Raised interest rates- led to more of a recession because less money in circulation. Price and wage controls- 90 day freeze worked in the short term but then recession continued.

Problem #7 US-China relations Adopted a policy of détente--- policy of easing Cold War tensions. Nixon visited China in February 1972. Opened diplomatic and economic relations with China.

Problem #8 U.S. Soviet relations Adopted a policy of détente. Visited the USSR in May 1972. Signed the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) Treaty with the USSR. Limited the amount of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and submarine-launched missiles.

Conclusion Short Answer Question 1. Which of Nixon’s policies was the most important? Why?