1. Nixon, Ford, Carter & Reagan Presidencies
May 19, 2014
Note Packet “L”

2. Nixon’s Foreign Policy
Nixon Doctrine
No more direct US military protection in Asia
Relationship with China
Nixon & Zedong agreed to normal diplomatic relations
Open to economic & cultural exchanges
Reduced tensions

3. Nixon’s Foreign Policy
Relationship with the Soviet Union
Détente
“warm the cold war” & prevent open conflict
“Realpolitik” – decisions based on what US needed for strength & stability

4. Nixon’s Foreign Policy
Relationship with the Soviet Union
SALT (Strategic Arms Limitations Talks)
SALT agreement set limits on numbers of defensive missile sites & offensive missiles each nation would keep

5. Nixon’s Domestic Policy
Gov’t response to environmental & consumer movements
New Federalism
Reduce role of fed. gov’t, increase state gov’t
Revenue sharing – fed gov’t gives some income to states
Slow inflation caused by Vietnam
Wage-price freeze

6. Nixon’s Domestic Policy
Space Program
Neil Armstrong
26th amendment
Women’s rights movement

8. The Watergate Affair
What – illiegal break-in to wiretap phones in Democratic Party HQs
Where – Watergate Towers (apt. complex in DC)
When – July 17, 2972
Who – Committee to Reelect the President (acting w/knowledge of high-level Nixon advisors)
Why – secure info to undermine Democratic Party

9. The Watergate Affair The Cover-Up
Senate est. a committee to look into “illegal activities”
Nixon’s VP charged with tax evasion, Ford becomes VP
Senate uncovers tape recordings between Nixon & aides
Supreme Court demanded tapes  Nixon refused  voting to impeach  Nixon resigns

10. The Watergate Affair Significance of Watergate
Showed the Constitution works (system of checks & balances)
Decline in public trust of gov’t

11. Ford’s Foreign Policy Assisted in negotiations in Middle East
Continued Détente policy

12. Ford’s Domestic Policy
Nixon’s pardon
Public questioned decision
Amnesty Plan
Met criticism when offered amnesty to thousands who avoided Vietnam draft

13. Ford’s Domestic Policy
Inflation
OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) placed embargo on US (supported Israel)
Gas & oil doubles

14. Carter’s Foreign Policy
Helsinki Accords
Promised to respect basic human rights, withhold aid to nations in violation
Camp David Accords
Peace treaty between Israel & Egypt mediated by Carter

15. Carter’s Foreign Policy
Détente problems
Détente ended when Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan
US cut off grain shipments to Soviets
Boycotted Olympics
Hostage Crisis
Islamic Rebels seized US embassy in Teheran holding 50+ hostages

16. Carter’s Domestic Policy
Stagflation
Unproductivity of economy & inflation of prices
Energy problem
40% of oil imported, world’s leading energy consumer
Urged development of alternative fuel sources
Corporate Bailouts
Corporations failing b/c of stagflation
Huge loans given out

17. Carter’s Domestic Policy
Environmental problems
Stagflation prevented implementing environment programs
Nuclear Energy
Possible alternative to oil & coal
Three Mile Island Accident
Shed light on hazards of nuclear power

18. Carter’s Domestic Policy
Election of 1980
Republican candidate Reagan promised new beginning
Swept election

19. Reagan’s First Term Foreign Policy
Adopted a tough stand towards communism
Intervention in Central America
Continued support to countries in communist threat
Limited military intervention
Failed peacekeeping attempts in Middle East
Terrorism

20. Reagan’s First Term Domestic Policy
“Reaganomics”
supply – side economics
Tax breaks to businesses & wealthy
Ones who will reinvest, encourage economic growth
Trickle – Down economics
Economic growth depends on increased amount of capital available to businesses

21. Reagan’s First Term Domestic Policy
“Star Wars”
National security depends on defense
SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative) – massive satellite shield to intercept & destroy Soviet missiles
Immigration reform
Forbids employers form hiring illegal immigrants (didn’t solve problem)

22. Election of 1984 Reagan (P) & George H.W. Bush (VP) won
1st president since Eisenhower to serve 2 full terms

23. Reagan’s Second Term Foreign Policy
Iran – Contra Affair
Presidential aides sold weapons to Iran in exchange for freeing hostages
Money went to support anti-communist reels in Nicaragua (contras)
Presidential stance on ban on terrorism bargaining, aid to contras

24. Reagan’s Second Term Foreign Policy
Renewal of Détente
Gorbachev criticism “Star Wars”, called for renewal of détente
Gorbachev’s glasnost & perestroika
Increased political freedom in Soviet Union, E Europe, some free enterprise to improve economic conditions
Arms Reductions
Elimination of short range & medium range land-based missiles

25. Reagan’s Second Term Foreign Policy
End of the Cold War
Reform & anticommunist movements in E Europe
Berlin Wall fell, Germany reunited
Soviet Union broken up

26. Reagan’s Second Term Foreign Policy
Continued terrorism
Drug trade
Ending apartheid in Africa

27. Reagan’s Second Term Domestic Policy
Continued New Federalism
Criticism of deficit spending (spend more than you make) & tax cuts