A CRISIS IN CONFIDENCE, America: Past and Present Chapter 22

Nixon in Power Apparent success in first term Triumphs in foreign affairs Nixon cuts himself off from Congress, his own cabinet, and the nation

Reshaping the Great Society Nixon and the Great Society more efficient administration shift responsibility to the states shift school desegregation to the courts Shift to conservative Supreme Court appointment of conservatives and moderates Burger Court similar to Warren Court Pace of change slows but continues

Nixonomics Nixon and inflation inflation spurred by Vietnam federal spending cuts interest rates forced up Nixon-induced recession wage and price controls Economy revives

Building a Republican Majority Nixon obsessed about reelection Inactive on desegregation to win South Attack cultural revolution to win “middle America” Democrats retain majority by joining crusade against drugs, crime

In Search of Détente Foreign-policy assumptions Cold War to be managed, not won America must make a strategic retreat improve relations with China to neutralize Russia February Nixon visits China

In Search of Détente: Outcome of China Visit February U.S. recognition of Communist China set in motion May Russians sign SALT I Apparent mutual desire to reduce Cold War tensions

Ending the Vietnam War Nixon’s plan gradual reduction of American troops intensify American bombing hard line at the peace talks invasion of Cambodia January, peace talks conclude with disguised American surrender

The Crisis of Democracy June, Nixon agents arrested for attempted Watergate break-in Nixon stonewalled the press about White House involvement even instructed aides to lie under oath

The Election of 1972 Nixon’s opponents American Independent George Wallace-- shot and disabled, followers vote for Nixon Democrat George McGovern--nomination alienates middle class Nixon landslide suggests new alignment middle class shifting to Republicans African Americans, Jews, the poor remain strongly Democratic

The Watergate Scandal Summer Senate investigation damaging Senate hearings on cover-up White House tapes discovered Summer 1974 Nixon must relinquish tapes House Judiciary committee recommends impeachment August 9, Nixon resigns

The Watergate Scandal: Consequences Demonstrates growing power of the executive branch Illustrates vitality of institutions the press the federal judiciary Congress

Energy and the Economy U.S. way of life based on cheap energy 1970s energy crisis sparks inflation

The October War October, Yom Kippur War pits Egypt, Syria against Israel U.S. supplies weapons to Israel Arab oil nations retaliate with boycott prices of gasoline and home heating fuel rose sharply

The Oil Shocks Effects of soaring oil prices consumer spending plunges recession by 1974 inflation persists through 1970s Tax cut aids recovery Iranian Revolution causes second surge in oil prices

The Oil Shocks: Price Increases of Crude Oil and Gasoline,

The Search for an Energy Policy Ford tries to encourage production Carter tries to encourage conservation Congressional legislation to encourage production, e.g. Alaska pipeline encourage conservation, e.g. gas rationing Energy problem persists

The Great Inflation Oil prices drive inflation price of goods soars real income declines Attempted government controls result in record high interest rates

The Shifting American Economy U.S. share of world markets declines U.S. heavy industry declines High technology prospers Businesses tend to diversify

Private Lives—Public Issues Traditional American family gives way to more diverse living arrangements Number of working women increases sharply Gay rights movement emerges

The Changing American Family: Family Life by % of women solely in childrearing 30% of married coupes without children 25% of households consist of one adult Birthrate begins to climb after 15-year fall Divorce rate levels and drops slightly

The Changing American Family: New Family Structure Many never marry or postpone marriage Most mothers work outside the home Proportion of single-parent households doubled Women without partners head 1/3 of impoverished families Children comprise 40% of the poor

Types of Households in the United States, 2000

Gains and Setbacks for Women Rapid movement of women into work force Breakthroughs for women leaders in industry, higher education Roe v. Wade strengthens reproductive rights women appointed to Supreme Court Resistance most women remain in female-dominated jobs wages only 77.5% of men’s earnings Equal Rights Amendment fails abortion widely stigmatized

Voting on the Equal Rights Amendment

The Gay Liberation Movement Stonewall Riot sparks gay rights movement Democrats include gay rights plank 1980s--AIDS activism ,000 march on Washington “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy a setback Defense of Marriage Act prohibits state recognition of same-sex unions Vermont legalizes same-sex “civil unions”

Politics After Watergate Watergate erodes public trust Confrontation leaves nation leaderless

The Ford Administration Pardon of Nixon unpopular Democratic Congress alienated disclosure of illegal CIA activities under Kennedy and Johnson opposes Democratic bills protecting the environment and civil rights

The 1976 Campaign Ford damaged by Watergate Democrat Jimmy Carter wins close vote former governor of Georgia campaigns as outsider calls for decency, morality in government

Disenchantment with Carter Carter displays lack of political vision Outsider status hampers effectiveness Carter blames American people for "national malaise"

From Détente to Renewed Cold War U.S. international dominance declined sharply in the 1970s Internal and external events weakened foreign policy

Retreat in Asia April North Vietnam captures Saigon U.S. response--evacuation, no aid Subsequent incidents met with caution, restraint

Accommodation in Latin America treaty returns Panama Canal to Panama U.S. refuses aid to Nicaraguan government against Sandinistas Carter assists El Salvador against Marxist rebels

The Quest for Peace in the Middle East Carter’s success Camp David Accords Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty Carter’s failure Iranian Revolution November--U.S. embassy in Teheran invaded, 58 Americans taken hostage Carter fails to secure hostages’ release

The Cold War Resumes Carter, Brzezinski shift from Détente condemn Soviet human rights abuses new missile systems deployed increased aid to China December, Russians invade Afghanistan

A Failed Presidency Carter lost public confidence during the Iranian hostage crisis Double-digit inflation also contributed to voter disappointment