1. Nixon-Bush Presidency
20th Century US History
Nixon-Bush Presidency

2. Richard Nixon Nixon was elected in 1968 as the “Comeback Kid.” In
running for President during
the turbulent Vietnam War,
Nixon claimed to have
support of the “Silent
Majority,” Americans who
went about their daily lives
and supported the United
States government.

3. Nixon’s Challenges
Get the United States out of Vietnam without admitting defeat
Cure America’s economic problems
Dealing with the Cold War

4. Getting the US out of Vietnam
To accomplish this goal, Nixon and advisor Henry Kissinger
adopted the policy of “Peace with Honor.” This plan includes
cutting down the number of American ground troops in
Vietnam while increasing bombing on the North. The goal was
to get out of Vietnam without officially admitting defeat. This
was accomplished with the US withdrawal in 1973.

6. Cure America’s Economic Problems
As President, Nixon faced two major economic problems;
Stagflation – Inflation and unemployment
OPEC – After the US supported Israel in the 1973
Arab – Israeli War, the Arab nations responded with an oil embargo which sent gas prices through the roof.

7. The 1973 OPEC Oil Embargo
In response to the 1973 OPEC
Oil Embargo, Nixon;
Nixon signs a bill creating the speed limit at 55 MPH
Begins construction on Alaskan oil pipeline that would lessen US dependence on foreign oil.
Begins promoting the creation of nuclear power plants

8. Dealing with the Cold War
Working with foreign policy advisor
Henry Kissinger, Nixon adopts a
foreign policy strategy called Realpolitik.
This policy says that the US can have
good relations with any nation (even
communist countries) as long as this
friendship benefits US interests.
Realpolitik succeeds in creating a period
called “Détente” meaning a thaw during
the Cold War. As President Nixon visited
both China and the USSR. Détente will
be hailed as the highlight of the Nixon
Presidency.
Nixon and Chinese leader
Mao Zedong
Nixon and Soviet Premier
Leonid Brezhnev

9. The Watergate Scandal

10. The Watergate Scandal Prior to the 1972 Presidential
election, burglars were arrested
within the Democratic headquarters
at the Watergate Office Complex in
Washington D.C.
Washington Post reporters Bob
Woodward and Carl Bernstein
investigate the break in and find
that the burglars were paid by
CREEP (Committee to Re-Elect the
President). With this information,
Congress opens an investigation to
find who knew about the plot.
Woodward and Bernstein

11. The Watergate Senate Hearings
In the Congressional hearing, White
House attorney John Dean testified that
Nixon had known about the plot from
the start. To verify this information,
Congress ordered the White House to
turn over secret audiotapes that had
been kept since Nixon had become
President. After initial refusal, Nixon
eventually turned over some of the
White House tapes (some with breaks
and possible tampering). After the
tapes verify information that Nixon had
known of the plot, Nixon (facing
impeachment) decides to resign as US
President.
Senators Howard Baker (TN)
And Sam Ervin (NC) during
Watergate Hearings
John Dean Testifying
Before the Senate Committee

12. “All the President’s Men” - Key Players
H.R. Haldeman
White House Chief of Staff
G. Gordon Liddy
“Plumber”
Howard Hunt “Plumber”
and Watergate organizer
James McCord
Watergate Burglar
John Mitchell Director
of CREEP
Charles Colson
White House Lawyer

13. Deep Throat Woodward and Bernstein’s investigation of the
Watergate Scandal was
assisted by an undercover
source code named “Deep
Throat.” In 2005, 20 years
after the Watergate scandal,
“Deep Throat” revealed
himself as Mark Felt, the
former #2 man in the FBI
Mark Felt with family

14. Gerald “Jerry” Ford Following Nixon’s resignation, he is
replaced by VP Gerald Ford. Ford
had become VP after the original Vice
President Spiro Agnew had been
forced to resign after it was revealed
that he had taken bribes (and not
reported it on his income taxes) as
the Governor of Maryland. As
Speaker of the House, Ford was
elevated to the position of Vice
President. He is the only President
who was not elected either President or Vice President.
Gerald Ford
Spiro Agnew

15. Nelson Rockefeller (NY GOV)
Ford’s VP was
Nelson Rockefeller (NY GOV)
“nice hair”

16. Long Term Effects of Watergate
Since the Watergate
scandal, Americans
have been increasingly
distrustful of politicians.
In addition, voter turnout
in Presidential elections
has declined
substantially.

17. Ford (Republican) Presidency (1974-1976)
Ford was an unpopular President because;
Only President not elected as VP or President.
He makes the controversial choice to grant a pardon to Richard Nixon so that he would not have to serve jail time.

18. Econ Economic Problems (Inflation) plague the Ford Presidency
Stagflation---
11% inflation with a
Recession --- slow business activity
WIN Campaign ----"Whip Inflation Now"

19. Recession: "Remember--don't vote for anyone who would interfere with the way we've been handling things," October 30, 1974
In a televised address on October 15, 1974, President Gerald Ford appealed to Americans to mobilize in the fight against inflation, suggesting a list of voluntary individual measures. His "Whip Inflation Now" campaign was called WIN but turned out to be a loser. Federal Reserve Chairman Arthur Burns had announced that the nation was in a recession, despite Ford's insistence to the contrary. Ford campaigned for Republican congressmen and senators, urging support for candidates who supported his fight against inflation.

20. 1976 Bicentennial –200th year annivesary
200 sailing ships in NYC July 4th

22. The Presidency of Jimmy Carter (Democrat) 1976-1980
A Washington outsider
(Carter had been
Governor of Georgia)
Carter appeals to voters
who are still dealing
with the dishonest
Nixon Presidency. He
wins the 1976 election
in a landslide.

23. Carter’s Successes Carter’s foreign relations
strategy was focused on the
promotion of human rights.
Turns over Panama Canal to Panama (2000)
Camp David Accords – Carter negotiates the signing of the first peace agreement between an Arab nation (Egypt) and Israel. Carter is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.
Egyptian President Anwar Sadat signing
The Camp David Peace Accords with
Israeli Prime Minister Menachim Begin

24. Carter’s Challenges
Economic Problems – Inflation, Unemployment, Energy Shortages, and Gas Lines
Three Mile Island Nuclear Accident
Dealing with the Cold War
Low Public Morale Following the US Defeat in Vietnam
Iran Hostage Crisis
Low Confidence in American Politics as a Result of the Watergate Scandal

25. Jimmy Carter: "It comes out fuzzy," May 21, 1978
On May 12, 1978, President Jimmy Carter agreed to a tax-cut package under pressure from Congress and the Federal Reserve Board, seeking to end an economic recession. Image consultant Gerald Rafshoon set about to alter the public perception of Carter as being indecisive. But his efforts were soon overwhelmed when Iranians took Americans hostage. Carter's ill-conceived attempt at a military rescue of the hostages resulted in a desert disaster, with loss of American lives and planes.

26. Let’s get metric

27. Three Mile Island In 1979 a nuclear accident
occurred at the power plant
located in Three Mile Island,
PA. Although the disaster
turned out to be not as
serious as originally
reported it shook American
confidence in technology
and nuclear power.

28. Cold War “heats up” In 1979, the Soviet Union ended the Détente era by
invading Afghanistan. In
response to the Soviet
aggression, Carter made
the decision for the US to
boycott the 1980 Summer
Olympics held in Moscow.

29. Moscow Olympics 1980, July 19, 1978
On July 14, 1978, the Soviet government imprisoned Anatoly Shcharansky, a dissident accused of supplying secret material to a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. The trial began on July 10, just two days before the start of U.S.-Soviet strategic arms limitation talks in Geneva. The trial captured public attention because Shcharansky had been promoting the cause of Jewish emigration from the Soviet Union. In addition, Shcharansky's countryman Alexander Ginzburg, manager of a fund for political prisoners, received a sentence of hard labor on July 13. President Jimmy Carter spoke out against the trials but said that American athletes would not boycott the Moscow Olympics. He reversed this decision in 1980 after the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan.

32. Iran Hostage Crisis
Shah Pahlavi
Ayatollah Khomeini
In 1979 a political coup led by Islamic fundamentalist
Ayatollah Khomeini overthrew the Pro-West Shah of Iran
Mohammed Reza Pahlavi. As the new regime was Anti-
American, Iran quickly became an enemy of the US.

33. Iran Hostage Crisis Shortly after being removed
from power, the Iranian
Shah was allowed into the US to
seek treatment for cancer. In
response to the US action,
Iranian students rushed the US
embassy in Tehran and took 66
Americans hostage. After
several pleas for their release,
Carter ordered in American
helicopters to rescue the
hostages. Unfortunately,
however, the helicopters crashed
in the desert on their way to
Tehran.
American Hostages Paraded in Tehran
Wreckage from the US Helicopters
Sent to free the US Hostages in Iran

34. Khomeini: Spiritual leader, April 8, 1979
The Shah of Iran, Reza Shah Pahlavi, left his country on January 16, 1979 paving the way for a new government led by the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. On April 1, 1979, Khomeini established an Islamic republic in Iran, calling it "the first day of the government of God." Revolutionary fervor ran high as armed vigilante bands and kangaroo courts made bloody work of the Shah's last partisans and what remained of the secular left. Under Khomeini's fanatic rule, firing squads summarily carried out death sentences. His followers seized the American embassy and numerous hostages on November 4, 1979.

35. The 1980 Presidential Election
Dem. Jimmy Carter vs.
Rep. Ronald Reagan.
Reagan was a 72 year old
former actor and Gov
of California. Appealing to
voters, Reagan promised to
lead the US to greatness
again. He won the election
easily, and soon after his
election the Iranian
hostages were released.
Ronald Reagan

36. Ronald Reagan Ad from the 1940s

37. The Platform - “Reaganism”
Promotion of morality and traditional Christian values.
Tough foreign policy strategy that promoted the build up of the US military and use of force when deemed necessary
Restored patriotism and faith in the United States
“Laissez faire” economics

38. Promotion of morality and traditional Christian values.
In winning the 1980 Presidential
election, Reagan was greatly
assisted by the Moral Majority,
a Christian grass-roots group led by Jerry Falwell.
Once elected, Reagan returned
the favor by encouraging a
return to traditional moral values
(Ed- Prayer, Abstinence till
marriage, Sanctity of marriage)

40. Early rap artist, Grandmaster Flash

41. Reagan’s Foreign Policy
Military Buildup --- used it to influence
international policy.
Iran releases US hostages.
Defeat the USSR by outspending them on military ie. “Star Wars” ---missile defense program.
Bombs Libya for supporting terrorism
Sends US troops to Lebanon in hopes of protecting Christians in that country’s civil war (Quickly withdraws after the US suffers casualties)
Sends US troops to Grenada to put down a communist revolution.
Libyan Dictator
Muammar Gaddafi

42. Reagan and the Cold War
A Depiction of The Star Wars Missile Defense Program

43. Reagan and the Cold War
As Soviets attempted to keep up with Reagan’s arms build up, the
majority of their budget went toward military expenditures and the
country began to implode. In attempt to save the country new
Premier Mikhail Gorbachev instituted to radical programs Glasnost (Openness in Speaking) & Perestroika (Economic Restructuring that allowed Soviet citizens opportunities to experiment with free enterprise on a small level). As the 80s go on, communism continues to crumble. By 1989 the Berlin Wall is torn down and the Communists refuse to fight it. In 1991, the Soviet Union is replaced by a democratic government in a coup. Boris Yeltsin became the first democratically elected Russian President.

44. The fall of Berlin Wall, 1989

45. Berlin Wall fragments, Potsdam Plaza

46. Reagan and the Berlin Wall

47. Reagan Restores Patriotism and Faith in the United States
As a former actor, Reagan
was comfortable in front of
the cameras and routinely
gave inspirational speeches
that encouraged Americans.
His speaking ability
garnered him the nickname,
“The Great Communicator.”

48. “Laissez faire” Economics
To get the economy going, Reagan promoted tax cuts (AKA Trickle Down, Supply Side, Reaganomics)
While these tax cuts are given, government expenditures
on military supplies increase leading to the creation of an
economic deficit (more Government $ is spent than taken
in).
Cut welfare spending and farm subsidies leading critics to argue that his policies benefited only the wealthy. Reagan supporters point out that Reagan presided over the largest peace time economic growth that the US had ever experienced.

49. Reagan’s Successes Economy rebounds in the 1980s
Faith in America and patriotism are restored
Cold War is won
Traditional moral values become popular again

50. Criticism of Reagan
Trickle Down failed to trickle down leading the 80s to be a great decade for the rich and big business at the expense of minorities and the poor. Critics call the 80s the Decade of Greed.
Cold War was not won by Reagan, but instead by Gorbachev
Scandals: Most notably Iran-Contra Affair – US illegally sold arms to Iran and then gave the money to rebels in Nicaragua who were trying to fight communism. Reagan was slow to accept blame leading to criticism of his leadership.
Reagan was an absentee President – Reagan left office at 80 years. Many critics question his physical ability to lead at the end of his Presidency.

51. Arms payoff for hostage release, November 11, 1986
On November 2, 1986, an American hostage was released by an Iranian group that had held him captive for more than seventeen months. It was soon reported that his release was linked to a transfer of military spare parts to Iran. President Ronald Reagan commented that such a story "has no foundation" and "is making it more difficult to get the other hostages out." Herb Block comments, "But the story was true, and the trading of arms actually provided an incentive for the taking of more hostages. Appearing on television, Reagan said forcefully, ‘We did not, repeat not, trade weapons or anything else for hostages.' When this was proven to be untrue, he later made a carefully worded retraction. He left it to Attorney General Meese to disclose the diversion of arms-sales funds to Nicaraguan contra rebels, a violation of an act of Congress."

53. The Presidency of George H.W. Bush
On the heels of the successful Reagan
Presidency, voters elect VP George Bush as
President in Bush’s VP pick was a
surprising choice Dan Quayle of Huntington,
Indiana (Had been a US Senator).

54. Operation Desert Storm

55. Operation Desert Storm
Bush’s Presidency begins
with the US/UN attack on
Iraqi troops that had illegally
invaded the nation of
Kuwait just off of the
Persian Gulf.
After the highly successful
mission, Bush’s approval ratings
are off the charts and re-election
looks imminent.

56. The Downfall of George H.W. Bush
Despite the high voter approval ratings during Operation Desert Storm, Bush’s re-election bid was ultimately ruined by;
Bush’s decision to raise taxes during an economic recession after promising earlier “Read my lips – No New Taxes.”
The candidacy of Texan H. Ross Perot as a third party candidate
The emergence of a viable Democratic candidate,
Bill Clinton (Governor of Arkansas)

57. The 1992 Presidential Election
Clinton won the election despite winning only 42% of the popular vote