Nixon, Ford, Carter - the 1970s Nixon, Ford, Carter - the 1970s Thinking Skill: Explicitly assess information and draw conclusions Objective: Understand the major events surrounding the three presidencies of the decade

Detente Détente: easing of Cold War tension Détente: easing of Cold War tension –Improve relationships with China and USSR  Aid exit of Nam  Reduce Nuclear Weapons (SALT)  Pit USSR and China against each other  Use Communist need for US trade –Nixon goes to China

Nixon on the Home Front Domestic Affairs At Elvis’ request, he met with Nixon to become a "Federal Agent-at-Large" in the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.

Environmental Concerns Grow “We’ve got Mother Nature on the run in the nineteen- seventies” - Neil Young They’ve paved paradise and put up a parking lot” – Joni Mitchell

Polluted River Crop Dusting Traffic Pollution Oil Slick

US Reliance on Foreign Oil: 1973 Oil Embargo and OPEC

Nixon Domestic Policy Problems: Stagflation/ Energy/ Pollution Problems: Stagflation/ Energy/ Pollution Target: Middle America/ Blue Collar/ South Target: Middle America/ Blue Collar/ South Solutions: Solutions: –New Federalism (aid to suburbs) –US off Gold Standard –Appoints Conservative Judges Contradictions: Contradictions: –EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) –Philadelphia Plan (Quotas) –Expansion of Great Society (food stamps)

Ford and Carter Administrations

Gerald Ford Only president never Only president never elected to office elected to office Pardoned Nixon “for any Pardoned Nixon “for any and all crimes” Persistent stagflation Persistent stagflation Continued détente Continued détente Economy gets worse Economy gets worse Vietnam “finished” Vietnam “finished” (R) candidate in 1976 (R) candidate in 1976 –Defeated by Jimmy Carter

Helsinki Accords Helsinki Accords The document was seen both as a significant step toward reducing Cold War tensions and as a major diplomatic boost for the Soviet Union at the time Articles: I.Sovereign equality, respect for the rights inherent in sovereignty II.Refraining from the threat or use of force II.Inviolability of frontiers IV.Territorial integrity of States V.Peaceful settlement of disputes VI.Non-intervention in internal affairs VII.Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief VIII. Equal rights and self-determination of peoples IX.Co-operation among States X.Fulfillment in good faith of obligations under international law

Ford A few ill-timed episodes of camera-range clumsiness, like stumbling down the steps of Air Force One in Austria, wiping out on the slopes in Vail, Colo., and getting zonked on the head by a passing chairlift. Chevy Chase and SNL

Jimmy Carter “Washington Outsider” “Washington Outsider” –pros/cons –one term GA governor –Peanut farmer –engineer Devout Baptist Devout Baptist “I’ll never lie to you” “I’ll never lie to you” More Stagflation More Stagflation –Energy crisis –Foreign competition Campaign T-Shirt

Carter’s Foreign Policy Emphasis on human rights Emphasis on human rights –1978 Camp David Accords

Carter Achievements Human Rights Human Rights Camp David Accords 1978 Camp David Accords 1978 –Peace agreement between Egypt and Israel Panama Canal Returned Panama Canal Returned Resumption of full Diplomatic Relations with China, 1979 Resumption of full Diplomatic Relations with China, 1979

1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan The SALT II Negotiations

Carter’s Problems Energy Crisis OPEC and Rates Stagflation Three Mile Island

Carter’s Downfall Iran-Hostage Crisis Iran-Hostage Crisis  Context: During Ike’s Admin… CIA helped to place Shah Reza Pahlavi back on the throne after gov attempts to nationalize industry 1979, Rise of Ayatollah Khomeini (militant Islamic Fundamentalist) Shah overthrown American embassy overrun (60 hostages) Hostages released hours after Reagan takes office (444 days)

“Nothing much is going to happen in the 1970s anyway” -Daniel Patrick Moynihan, D-NY What do you think are the MOST important events of the 1970s and why?

The “Loser Decade”?

Social Issues & Reaction Feminist Movement Feminist Movement Gay Rights Movement Gay Rights Movement Drug Culture Drug Culture

1980’s Conservatism A response to the Malaise of the 1970’s

Carter’s “Malaise” Speech 1979 A.K.A. “Crisis in Confidence” Speech Thinking Skill: Explicitly assess information and draw conclusions Objective: Understand the major events surrounding the 1970s and to what extent they contributed to a general sense of “malaise”

Malaise Did you ever have the feeling that you were getting sick, but couldn’t quite put your finger on what it was that made you feel so ill? That is the condition of malaise (a vague feeling of uneasiness and discomfort). Historians (and President Carter) have used this word to describe the general feeling of being an American in the 1970s. The 1950s were, in general, a time of optimism and the 1960s a time of idealism. Then, in the 1970s, it has been argued that Americans felt a little less certain about their government, their status as a world power, their earth, and each other. That is the condition of malaise (a vague feeling of uneasiness and discomfort). Historians (and President Carter) have used this word to describe the general feeling of being an American in the 1970s. The 1950s were, in general, a time of optimism and the 1960s a time of idealism. Then, in the 1970s, it has been argued that Americans felt a little less certain about their government, their status as a world power, their earth, and each other. Task --- Identify as many events of the 1970s that contributed to the general feeling of malaise during the decade. Which event made the greatest contribution to the “malaise” of the 70s? Why? Which event made the greatest contribution to the “malaise” of the 70s? Why?

Conclusions: Which event made the greatest contribution to the “malaise” of the 70s? why? Which event made the greatest contribution to the “malaise” of the 70s? why? To what extent is your specific event representative of the general 70s feeling? To what extent is your specific event representative of the general 70s feeling? How is your event similar to the others? Different from the others? How is your event similar to the others? Different from the others? What exceptions/concessions can be made What exceptions/concessions can be made in regards to defining the decade as a “malaise?”