1. Nixon, Ford and Carter 1968-1980 “I am a Ford, not a Lincoln.”
“Unless both sides win, no agreement can be permanent.”
“I let the American people down.”.
“I am a Ford, not a Lincoln.”

2. Richard Nixon in Office
Long career in politics but not elected until 1968
Ran as the spokesperson for Middle America or the silent majority, gained southern voters this way
Set up the Environmental Protection Agency
Economy:
Stagflation: dual condition of a stagnating economy and inflationary pressures
Stagflation occurred due to deficit spending, foreign competition rising prices especially in oil prices

3. The Fall of Richard Nixon
Watergate Scandal:
Involved the breaking into of the Democratic Party headquarters were connected to Nixon and the White House because Nixon helped cover-up the break-in
Nixon denied any wrongdoing…few believed him
VP Spiro Agnew resigned over another scandal and Nixon nominated Gerald Ford to be his new VP (25th Amendment)
Then tape recordings within the Oval Office were uncovered…tapes would prove Nixon’s involvement in break-in…Nixon refused to release the tapes…US vs. Nixon required he give up tapes…he resigned
Damaged the reputation of the presidency and shook peoples confidence
Showed that no person, even the President, was above the law

4. “If the president does it, it’s not illegal.”
“I am not a crook!”

5. Nixon and The Cold War
When the US and China got friendly, Russia wanted to negotiate due to fears of an alliance
Soviet Union and US sign the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I) which froze the deployment of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and placed limits on antiballistic missiles (ABMs)
Did not end the arms race between US and SU but was a huge step towards that goal
Started a détente in which the SU and US were trying to solve their issues not intensify them, foreign policy promoted by Nixon

6. Nixon and Vietnam
Ordered the bombing of Cambodia secretively without Congressional knowledge
Led to Congress repealing the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and limited the president’s ability to commit troops

7. Gerald Ford
Became president when Nixon resigned on the heels of the Watergate Scandal, economic turmoil due to inflation
Pardoned Nixon for any crimes he may have committed during his time in office…nobody liked this
Tried to improve the economy but was relatively unsuccessful

8. Ford and Foreign Policy
Promised to carry on with Nixon’s foreign policy plan
US and SU endorsed the Helsinki Accords that put Europe on record in favor of human rights and tried to improve relations between Communists countries and the rest of Europe
South Vietnam fell to Communists North Vietnam at the Fall of Saigon…America removes all troops from Vietnam

9. Jimmy Carter in Office
Unknown Georgia peanut farmer that was able to get elected just because he had to connections to Washington D.C., Nixon or Watergate
Pardoned draft dodgers of the Vietnam War…unpopular
Economy:
Foreign Competition: Japanese made cars are outperforming American made automobiles
Energy Crisis: gas prices rise and made worse with a harsh winter…asked citizens to conserve

10. Carter and Foreign Policy
Focused on human rights
SU and US sign SALT II in which they pledged to limit nuclear arms production but the Soviets made things worse by invading Afghanistan to set up a communists government there
Camp David Accords:
Helped negotiate a peace agreement between Egypt’s Anwar el-Sadat and Israel’s Menachem Begin who had been fighting for 3 decades
Provided a framework for peace in which Egypt would recognize Israel and Israel would withdraw its troops from the Sinai Peninsula

12. Iranian Hostage Crisis
Ayatollah Khomeini took control of Iran and when America let Khomeini come into the country, Iranian radicals invaded the US Embassy and took 66 Americans hostage…held hostage for 14 months
He was not able to get all the hostages released before he left office but two hours into Ronald Reagan's inauguration the hostages were released but Carter was no longer president