1. Nixon's Presidency
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NCSCOS Goal 12

2. New Presidency
-elected partly because of distrust of liberal Democratic government
Americans angry about Vietnam and counterculture
Wants to restore image of President and American prestige
-decided to lead a conservative course
Impose “Law and Order”
-Imperial Presidency
Executive branch strongest – Nixon continued to extend control with little thought to checks and balances
In 1968, Republican candidate Richard M. Nixon, who had previously served as a Senator and Vice President and had lost a bid for the Presidency against John Kennedy, was elected. This was partly due to the distrust of Democratic governments of the turbulent 1960s. As a result, Nixon chose to lead a more conservative course for “Middle America,” which meant restoring law and order (calming protests), raising American prestige, and cutting back the size and influence of the federal government.

3. Election of 1972

4. New Federalism -wanted to decrease size of government
Federal government has too much responsibility
-New Federalism would give power back to local governments
-introduced revenue sharing of unrestricted money
State and local governments can spend federal dollars however they want within limits
-did increase some federal programs to get his measures passed
Must appease Democratic Congress, increased Social Security

5. Southern Strategy Looking to reelection
-gain southern votes by supporting southern policies such as getting the federal government out of desegregation issues, and placing conservative justices to balance a liberal Supreme Court
Nixon courts the Dixiecrats to gain more votes; begins reversing Civil Rights legislation
-Swann v. Charlotte, 1971
forced busing
May bus students to force integration of schools
Nixon publicly disagreed; did not enforce it
-Nixon appoints several more conservative justices

6. Economy -stagflation rising inflation and unemployment
From the beginning of the oil embargo in the fall of 1973 to March 1974, motorists faced long lines at gas stations. Factories and schools across the nation closed. When OPEC resumed selling its oil to the US, the price tripled.
-stagflation
rising inflation and unemployment
Prices rose throughout the 1960s but jobs become scarce
-deficit spending
Government spending more than they take in
-oil cartel embargo, 1973
OPEC countries fighting the Yom Kippur War against Israel
U.S. supports Israel
OPEC cuts off oil to U.S.
Gas prices skyrocket
-freeze on wages and prices
90-day freeze did little to help

7. Detente -Henry Kissinger Sec. Of State
Wants U.S. to compete based on power and not ideals
Confront all powerful nations, even communists
-policy of détente
easing of tensions with others
Relax tensions between the US and communist nations
-Nixon visits China, 1972
Recognizes Chinese government; wants China on U.S. side when dealing with U.S.S.R.
-SALT Treaties with USSR, 1972
Limited the number of ICBMs and missiles that could be produced

8. Watergate -1972 election Nixon afraid of losing election
-group of Nixon’s men break into Watergate hotel to steal campaign secrets
-CRP (CREEP)
Committee to Reelect the President
After caught, Nixon supporters tried to buy the burglars’ silence and cover it up
-Washington Post
Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein
Wrote a series of articles linking the President to the burglary
-Nixon wins re-election

9. A Third Rate Burglary

10. Deep Throat Helps Woodward and Bernstein

11. Congressional Investigations
-Jan 1973 burglars were sentenced but one offered to talk
Said the White House was involved
-top aids resign and special prosecutor assigned
-Senate begins investigation
accusations and the tapes
Nixon taped all conversations
-Saturday Night Massacre
-Nixon fires prosecutors investigating case
In an effort to convince America of his honesty, Nixon released some edited tapes of White House conversations. They actually only increased the people’s dismay. His vulgar language and lack of concern about Watergate shocked Americans. The Chicago Tribune stated “We have seen the private man and we are appalled.”

12. Resignation -US v. Nixon, 1974 President must hand over tapes
“I am not a crook.”
-US v. Nixon, 1974
President must hand over tapes
-tapes released but edited
18 ½ minute gap of silence
-House begins process of impeachment
Obstruction of justice, abuse of power, contempt of Congress
-Nixon resigns Presidency
Still admits no guilt
-Gerald Ford becomes an un-elected leader
Ford appointed by Nixon when VP Spiro Agnew resigned
America very distrustful of the Presidency

13. The Secret Tapes and Nixon’s Resignation