The 1970s: Toward a Conservative America

Richard Nixon Winner of the 1968 and 1972 elections Winner of the 1968 and 1972 elections Conservative Republican base for his support Conservative Republican base for his support

Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg (1971) School busing upheld School busing upheld Voluntary integration in southern schools not working Voluntary integration in southern schools not working

Affirmative Action Requirements for hiring minorities or recruiting them for colleges Requirements for hiring minorities or recruiting them for colleges

Regents of UC v. Bakke Using racial quotas is a violation of the 14 th amendment Using racial quotas is a violation of the 14 th amendment Equal protection clause Equal protection clause

Roe v. Wade Legalized abortion Legalized abortion

Foreign Politics National security adviser Henry Kissinger National security adviser Henry Kissinger Changing international scene, secret deals Changing international scene, secret deals

China 1971 – Nixon sent Kissinger secretly to Beijing to discuss their relationship 1971 – Nixon sent Kissinger secretly to Beijing to discuss their relationship 1972 – Nixon traveled to communist China 1972 – Nixon traveled to communist China

China Became a member of the United Nations with a permanent seat on the Security Council Became a member of the United Nations with a permanent seat on the Security Council

Soviet Union Nixon had a secret understanding with Leonid Brezhnev Nixon had a secret understanding with Leonid Brezhnev

SALT I Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty Nixon traveled to Moscow for the signing Nixon traveled to Moscow for the signing Limited the production and deployment of ICBMs Limited the production and deployment of ICBMs

Period of Detente Tensions relaxed between major world powers Tensions relaxed between major world powers USSR, U.S. and China became world powers USSR, U.S. and China became world powers

1972 Election Democrat – George McGovern Democrat – George McGovern Republican – Richard Nixon Republican – Richard Nixon Landslide for Nixon Landslide for Nixon

Watergate June 17, 1972 June 17, 1972 Men carrying wiretapping equipment were arrested breaking into the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters Men carrying wiretapping equipment were arrested breaking into the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters

Watergate Former CIA agents working for Nixon’s Committee to Reelect the President Former CIA agents working for Nixon’s Committee to Reelect the President Arranged illegal wiretaps, spies Arranged illegal wiretaps, spies

Watergate Web of illegal activities sanctioned by the White House Web of illegal activities sanctioned by the White House Nixon instructed the CIA to stop an FBI investigation = obstruction of justice Nixon instructed the CIA to stop an FBI investigation = obstruction of justice

The Tapes Nixon ordered to release Oval Office tapes Nixon ordered to release Oval Office tapes 1974 – Nixon finally agreed 1974 – Nixon finally agreed House Judiciary Committee considered articles of impeachment House Judiciary Committee considered articles of impeachment

Nixon’s Resignation August 9, 1974 August 9, 1974 Vice President Gerald Ford took office Vice President Gerald Ford took office Sept – Ford gave Nixon a full pardon Sept – Ford gave Nixon a full pardon

Gerald Ford Became vice president by appointment of Congress after resignation of Spiro Agnew Became vice president by appointment of Congress after resignation of Spiro Agnew Became president in 1974 Became president in 1974