Warm Up Work on Common Vocabulary.

1970-1990: Resurgence of Conservatism

MAJOR CHARACTERISTICS OF 1970-1990 Nixon and relationship with China Reaganomics Peace through Strength Involvement in the Middle East

Term to know: Conservative: con·serv·a·tive Adjective Noun Holding to traditional attitudes and values and cautious about change, typically in politics or religion. Noun A person who holds to traditional values and attitudes and is averse to change, typically in politics.

Richard Nixon (1969-1974) Republican

Foreign Policy events and characteristics Relationship with China- President Nixon was instrumental in bridging the gap in relations between the U.S. and the People’s Republic of China. President Nixon’s visit in 1972 was the first by a U.S. President and led to the thawing of relations and opening of communications between the two countries.

S.A.L.T. 1 & 2 – (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) – This was an example to be followed later by negotiating arms reductions with U.S.S.R. during the Cold War. Two rounds of talks and treaties involving the U.S. and the Soviet Union in order to limit nuclear arms.

Domestic Policy events and characteristics Watergate Scandal: President Nixon, a Republican was tied to a crime in which former FBI and CIA agents broke into the offices of the Democratic Party and George McGovern (the Presidential candidate). Nixon's helpers listened to phone lines and secret papers were stolen. This was against the law.

Brought the actions of the president under suspicion, and people began to question his authority and power; people’s trust in the federal government declined. This event will cause President Nixon to resign on August 9, 1974 to avoid impeachment.

OPEC Oil Crisis of 1973- OPEC, the 12 country organization controlling oil in the Middle East and other areas, cut off the flow of oil to the U.S. which made the gas/oil prices go up sharply.

Gerald Ford (1974-1976) Republican

Foreign Policy events and characteristics Helsinki Accords - Ford signed the Helsinki Accords marking a move toward détente in the Cold War. With the conquest of South Vietnam by North Vietnam nine months into his presidency, U.S. involvement in Vietnam essentially ended. During Ford's incumbency, foreign policy was characterized in procedural terms by the increased role Congress began to play, and by the corresponding curb on the powers of the President.

Domestic Policy events and characteristics The 25th Amendment deals with succession to the Presidency and establishes procedures both for filling a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, as well as responding to Presidential disabilities. He was the first person appointed to the Vice Presidency under the terms of the 25th Amendment, after Spiro Agnew had resigned. When he became President upon Richard Nixon's resignation on August 9, 1974, he became the first and to date only person to have served as both Vice President and President of the United States without being elected by the Electoral College. 

Ford presided over the worst economy in the four decades since the Great Depression, with growing inflation and a recession during his tenure. 

One of his more controversial acts was to grant a presidential pardon to President Richard Nixon for his role in the Watergate scandal.