1. ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS: Did the U. S
ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS: Did the U.S. Presidency become unmanageable in the 1970s? How well did American leaders deal with the challenge of stagflation?
Nixon and Ford

2. TEKS and Objectives
We will…
I will…
(10A) describe Nixon’s leadership in relations with China and détente (10C) compare impact of energy on American way of life (10E) describe conservative resurgence of 1980s, including Phyllis Schlafly (14B) identify roles of the EPA and the Endangered Species Act (17E) describe the relationship between U.S. and OPEC oil embargo (19C) describe the effects of Watergate (21A) analyze the effects of Tinker v. Des Moines and Wisconsin v. Yoder
Analyze excerpts from President Nixon and President Ford

3. ( )
The Nixon Presidency

4. The Imperial Presidency
The expansion of Presidential Power
New Deal
World Wars
President Richard Nixon (R)
Did not consult congress about bombing Cambodia/Laos
Used public funds to remodel his public homes
Used CIA/FBI to collect information about his enemies

5. 1st Amendment Rights Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)
Tinker siblings wore black armbands protesting the war
Suspended from school
Supreme Court ruled this was violation of 1st Amendment rights

6. 1st Amendment Rights Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
Secondary education conflicted with Amish values/beliefs
Wisconsin state law required Amish children to attend school beyond Grade 8
Supreme Court ruled law violated freedom of religion

7. Economy of the 1970s Inflation Nixon’s Response
Rising prices, trade deficit, and rising unemployment
Nixon’s Response
Unsuccessful at controlling inflation
Cut spending on social programs
Imposed a peacetime wage and price controls

8. Nixon and the Environment
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Sets air/water pollution standards for cities
Construction projects reviewed for environmental impact
Private citizens can file lawsuits against polluters

9. Nixon and the Environment
Endangered Species Act (1973)
Protects plants/animas in danger of extinction

10. Nixon and Civil Rights Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)
Proposed by Alice Paul in but failed to pass Congress every year
Approved by Congress in but not ratified by the states
Introduced to every Congress since

11. Nixon and Civil Rights Phyllis Schlafly
Critic of Women’s Liberation Movement
Campaigned against ERA
Argued amendment would deprive women of the “right” to be “supported and protected” by men
Feared ERA would lead to unisex restrooms and women in combat

14. Nixon and China (1972) Previous Presidents Nixon
U.S. refused diplomatic relationship with Communist China
Vetoed attempts by China to enter UN
Nixon
Restored diplomatic relations in order pressure N. Vietnam
Became first American President to visit China

15. Nixon and the Soviet Union (1972)
Nixon’s Policy of Détente
Relaxing of tensions
First President to visit Moscow
Signed an agreement (SALT) limited the development of defensive missile systems

16. Vice President Ford Takes Office
Spiro Agnew
Nixon’s VP forced to resign
Took bribes while serving as Governor of Maryland
25th Amendment
Establishes procedures for succession of the Presidency/Vice-Presidency
Gerald Ford appointed new VP

17. The Watergate Scandal Watergate The Cover-Up
CIA agents broke into Democratic Party headquarters
The Cover-Up
Nixon tried to cover up investigation claiming it was a matter of national security

18. The Watergate Scandal The Watergate Tapes Executive Privilege
Investigation revealed Nixon participated in cover-up
Nixon secretly recorded all of his own White House conversations
Executive Privilege
Nixon refused to turn over tapes
Asserted Congress had no authority to question members of executive branch

19. The Watergate Scandal United States v. Nixon (1974)
Nixon argued turning over tapes to judicial branch violated separation of powers
Supreme Court ruled Nixon must turn over tapes
No one is above the law

20. The Watergate Scandal Nixon Resigns
Tapes revealed Nixon had lied about cover-up
House of Representatives moved to impeach
Nixon became first President to resign

21. In a televised address, Nixon spoke to the nation on August 8, 1974:
“I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is opposed to every instinct in my body. But as President, I must put the interests of America first. America needs a full-time President, particularly at this time with [the] problems we face at home and abroad. To continue to fight through the months ahead for my personal vindication would totally absorb the time of both the President and the Congress…Therefore, I shall resign the Presidency effective at noon tomorrow.” Did Nixon tell the truth when he made this statement resigning the Presidency?

22. The Watergate Scandal Impact Lowered public confidence in government
Showed growth of Presidential power could lead to abuse
Showed system of checks and balances works
Proved 2-party system works
Reaffirmed role of press in uncovering government misconduct
Supreme Court preserved its independence
Congress passed new laws to curb Presidential power

23.
The Ford Presidency

24. The President’s Pardon
Ford Pardons Nixon
Nixon pardoned for all his crimes
Pardon heavily criticized

25. Ford later said he intended to spare Mr
Ford later said he intended to spare Mr. Nixon and the nation from further turmoil as a result of the Watergate scandals. In his Autobiography he wrote:
“I simply was not convinced that the country wanted to see an ex-President behind bars. We are not a vengeful people; forgiveness is on the roots of the American tradition. And Nixon, in my opinion, had already suffered enormously…But I wasn’t motivated by concern over the state of his health. It was the state of the country’s health at home and around the world that worried me…” Do you think President Ford was truthful when he said he was more concerned about the health of the country than that of Nixon? Do you think President Ford, in pardoning Nixon, did the right thing?

26. Continuing Stagflation
Inflation
Rising prices
Stagflation
High unemployment + inflation

27. Continuing Stagflation
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)
Most members Arab countries
U.S. sided with Israel in 1973 war
Arab countries imposed oil embargo on U.S.
Continued to increase oil prices even after the war
Higher cost of energy for Americans

29. Ford and the Soviet Union
Helsinki Accords (1975)
International peace agreement
U.S., Canada, USSR, and most European countries
Recognized post-WWII borders
Promised respect for human rights