1. Contemporary Politics
During the past 30 years, Presidents from both parties have struggled to balance the ideals of the Great Society with national security concerns. Every American leader from Johnson to G.W. Bush has found it difficult to provide both “guns” and “butter.” During the 1970s high federal spending on Vietnam and the Great Society resulted in high inflation, precisely at the moment when American industrial productivity was declining. The resulting “stagflation” created a complex economic problem that proved unresponsive to most traditional methods of regulating the economy.

2. Richard Nixon: Domestic Policy
Affirmative Action
Environmental Programs (Environmental Protection Agency)
Worker/Consumer Protections
OSHA
Women’s Rights (Supported ERA)
Funding for Arts

3. Nixon’s Economic Problems
Stagflation: Recession + High Inflation
Causes
Declining Productivity
Increased Global Comp.
Trade Deficits
High Labor Costs
High Gov Spending
High Energy Costs

4. Richard Nixon: Foreign Policy
Détente: “Easing of Tensions” with the USSR
SALT I Treaty: Arms Limits
Traveled to China
Nixon & Kissinger

5. Only President to Resign Office!
The Watergate Scandal
Nixon made Enemies Lists
Nixon’s Committee to Re-elect the President (CREEP) broke into the Democratic National Headquarters in the Watergate office building.
There were tape recordings of Nixon ordering break-in.
Articles of Impeachment
Abuse of Power
Obstruction of Justice
Contempt of Congress
Only President to Resign Office!

6. Gerald Ford: Domestic Policy
-Issued Nixon a full pardon
-Popularity dropped

7. Jimmy Carter: Domestic Policy
Washington Outsider
Unpopular due to economic problems

8. Jimmy Carter: Economic Policy
Continued Stagflation
Loosening credit caused inflation
Tightening credit caused recession\
High gas prices made him seek alternative fuel sources

9. Jimmy Carter: Foreign Policy
-Human Rights Emphasis
-Iranian Hostage Crisis
-Camp David Accords: Brokered a peace between Egypt and Israel

10. The Election of 1980

11. Reagan: Domestic Policy
Washington Outsider…
Small Government… attacked welfare, social spending, business & environmental regulations

12. Reagan: Economic Policy
Supply-side Economics: tax cuts for businesses and wealthy who would put that money back into their business and expand the economy
Increased Defense Spending
Deregulation
: Recession
: Expansion

13. Ronald Reagan: Foreign Policy
Reagan Doctrine: U.S. will aid “freedom fighters” trying to overthrow communism
Star Wars: defense system
“Evil Empire:” Bipolarism
Iran-Contra Scandal

14. The Election of 1984

15. George HW Bush

16. Bill Clinton