1970’s & 1980’s

Challenges and Change

1970s

Nixon Trials & Accomplishments July 20, 1969: First man on the

moon.

New Federalism: a program designed to end what Nixon said was the Democratic habit of "throwing money at problems.“

Congress passed part of the plan.

Ending the DraftNixon made yet another very popular move when he ended the draft. Nixon’s move brought America toward the all volunteer Army that we have today. No longer are Americans compelled to join the military against their will.

Nixon’s Visit to China In February 1972, Nixon

went to China and met with Mao Zedong.

Nixon’s visit to China improved relations between the two countries

Tensions still exist between our nations, but Nixon’s efforts lessened them greatly.

Nixon’s Cold War Policy Nixon, along with his Secretary of State Henry Kissinger

pioneered a new diplomacy called “détente.” Détente was a permanent relaxation of tensions between the

superpowers that focused on recognition of each other’s interests and a “give and take” style of

negotiation. Détente was a big change in attitude toward Communist nations.

The S.A.L.T. Treaty Here, Nixon and Soviet President Lenoid Brezhnev celebrate the signing of the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty in May of 1972… for the first time, the two nations agreed to limit the development, testing and numbers of nuclear weapons.

The Oil Embargo Nixon faced a crisis in 1973 when the Arab nations of OPEC embargoed oil shipments to the US as punishment for supporting Israel in the Yom Kippur War.

Oil Embargo - Impact

There were major shortages of gasoline and the price skyrocketed. From less than 25 cents a gallon, it rose to 75 cents in just a few months. Stations began to limit their sales to regular customers or to limit the amount that one could buy.

Cars line up at a gas station, often to discover that the station had just run out of gas.

Oil Embargo - ImpactsLong lines at the pumps led to limits on the days when you could buy – odd numbered license plates on odd days, evens on even days.

At the time, the U.S. imported over 25% of its daily oil needs from the Middle East. The crisis ended through negotiation and higher prices, but our dependence on foreign oil has not ended… Today, we get over half our oil from over seas!

1973 – The Pentagon PapersThe Pentagon Papers were a series of documents leaked to the press and published in 1971. The Papers, prepared in the late 1960s, are the U.S. Defense Department's incendiary, 47-volume secret history of the Vietnam War. The work of Daniel Elsberg came to light and embarrassed the government.

The Pentagon PapersOn June 30, 1971, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a landmark decision (6-3) that allowed the publication of the Pentagon Papers to continue uncensored. The verdict may be the most important freedom of the press case in the 20th Century. The public “right to know” took precedent over governmental secrecy.

1973 – Vietnam pulloutNixon also ended American involvement in Vietnam, negotiating a treaty in 1973 that led to the withdrawal of American combat forces from Vietnam in exchange for an armistice to end fighting in the still divided nation. (Vietnamization)

Watergate ruins a President Only then Nixon had to face Watergate. The attempted burglary and wiretapping of the Democratic National Committee headquarters on June 17, 1972, at the Watergate complex had been traced to men hired by some of the president's closest advisers. Newspaper reporters took the slender thread found at the Watergate burglary and followed it to the White House.

Watergate – the EventsDuring the election campaign of 1972, Nixon’s aides (five men in suits) secretly burglarized and wiretapped the Democratic National Committee Headquarters based in the Watergate Hotel in Washington D.C.

Watergate – The EventsThey worked under the direction of G. Gordon Liddy, a former FBI man and White House operative who by then was finance counsel at Nixon's Committee for the Re-election of the President. The money was quickly traced to C.R.E.E.P. – as the committee was known.

Watergate – The EventsTrying to cover up the true extent of the crimes, Nixon fired several close advisors and took the resignations of others. Many then went before a Senate committee that had been formed to investigate the break in. One of them revealed that Nixon secretly taped everything that happened in his office.

Watergate ScandalNixon denied any personal involvement, but the courts forced him to give up tape recordings which indicated that he had. In an attempt to divert the investigation,unrelated scandals in Maryland were leaked to the press, Vice President Spiro T. Agnew resigned in 1973. Nixon nominated, and Congress approved, House Minority Leader Gerald R. Ford as Vice President. Spiro T. Agnew

Watergate – The eventsWhen Archibald Cox, the special prosecutor of the Watergate investigation found out that Nixon had taped conversations with the conspirators, he demanded that they be turned over to the committee. Nixon fired him, but his replacement, Leon Jawarski, continued pressing for the tapes.

Leon Jaworski

Watergate – the EventsIn the end, the Supreme Court ruled that the tapes were public evidence and forced Nixon to turn them over. The public faith was lessened even more when it was discovered that a critical 18 minute segment of the tape had been erased.

“I am not a crook.” – Nixon, Nov. 1973

Watergate – The cover-upOne of the tapes had recorded his order to the FBI to halt its investigation of the Watergate break-in. That tape was conclusive evidence—the "smoking gun"—of Nixon's primary role in a cover-up.

"I don't give a s*** what happens. I want you all to stonewall it, let them plead the Fifth Amendment, cover-up or anything else.“

Richard Nixon on tape…

Nixon ResignsThe Judiciary Committee recommended impeachment to the full House of Representatives. Faced with what seemed almost certain impeachment, Nixon announced on August 8, 1974, that he would resign the next day to begin "that process of healing which is so desperately needed in America."

Nixon ResignsThe first U.S. president to resign, Nixon sowed seeds of his own destruction a week after the break-in when he ordered a cover-up of the burglary. His secret taping system, installed to help him write his memoirs, preserved evidence that destroyed him.

Nixon waving goodbye to America after resigning…

Gerald FordWhen scandal touched Nixon and compelled his resignation as well, Ford became the first man ever to reach the White House without being elected President or Vice President either one!

Many resented this, and Ford fought his entire Presidency against the appearance of having “no mandate for his programs.

Pardoning NixonAlmost immediately, he stirred the political waters by issuing a blanket pardon to Richard Nixon. It was highly controversial, but a Presidential pardon is the end of the matter – nothing can change the decision, and it is not subject to any review.

Jimmy CarterJames Earl Carter was proud of his small town heritage – born in Plains Georgia and growing up to become a prominent peanut farmer.

Those who belittled him as “That Peanut Farmer from Georgia” missed out on the fact that he was as highly intelligent and morally incorruptible as any man who ever held the office of President.

1976 – Carter takes overUpon election in 1976, Carter's domestic agenda included: established the Department of Energy pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders streamlined federal government lowered federal income taxes. In foreign affairs: supported of human rights. negotiated treaties giving control of the

Panama Canal to Panama, set up the Camp David accords between Israel and Egypt negotiate

SALT II with the Soviet Union.

Carter takes over improve the environment, expansion of the national park system protection of 103 million acres of Alaskan lands. Increase human and social services created the Department of Education bolstered the Social Security system, appointed record numbers of women, blacks, and Hispanics to Government jobs.

The Camp David AccordsCarter’s proudest moment was the culmination of the 1978 Camp David Accord, a treaty between Israel and Egypt. Israel returned captured lands to Egypt in exchange for a permanent treaty that recognized Israel.

Sadat and Begin shared the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Iran Hostage CrisisIranian Muslim leader, ayatollah Khomeini returned to Iran in defiance of the western nations and formed a religious government. His followers seized the American Embassy in Teheran late in Carter’s administration. They held the embassy staff and others hostage for 444 days.

The hostage crisis hurts CarterCarter was unable to secure their release. The one attempt to rescue the hostages was a dismal failure. In the end, the American people held him responsible for the crisis at the polls. Together with the difficult state of the economy and ever rising inflation, Carter had little chance of earning a 2nd term.

President Ronald Reagan In the election of 1980,

Carter secured 49 electoral votes and Reagan secured 489.

Reagan had been a sports announcer, an actor, and governor of California before being elected president.

He was known as “The Great Communicator.”

Ronald ReaganReagan was elected president in 1980, after beginning his public life as a sports announcer and an actor and then becoming governor of California. Reagan was adept at handling the media and at conveying his message to the American public. He held summit talks with Soviet leaders negotiating arms reductions while pursuing a strong anti-communist agenda.

The Iran Hostage Crisis EndsKeeping with his promises, Reagan threatened military action and early in his term, as a result of continuing negotiations begun by Carter, the hostages were freed and the crisis in Iran came to an end. Most Americans gave Reagan the credit for doing what Carter had failed to do – compel their release.

Beirut, Lebanon The Beirut Barracks Bombing 1983 in Beirut Lebanon occurred

during the Lebanese Civil War, when two truck bombs struck separate buildings housing U.S. and French military forces members of the Multinational Force stationed there—killing 299 American and French servicemen. The organization Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Suicide bombers detonated each of the truck bombs. In the attack on the American Marines barracks, the death toll was 241 American servicemen: 220 Marines, 18 Navy personnel and three Army soldiers, along with sixty Americans injured, representing the deadliest single-day death toll and the deadliest single attack on Americans overseas since World War II. In addition, the elderly Lebanese custodian of the Marines' building was killed in the first blast. The explosives used were equivalent to 5,400 kg (12,000 pounds) of TNT.

President Reagan announced Feb. 7 1984 that the U.S. Marine contingent in Beirut would be withdrawn to ships offshore.

ReaganomicsDealing skillfully with Congress, Reagan obtained legislation to stimulate economic growth, curb inflation, increase employment, and strengthen national defense. He embarked upon a course of cutting taxes and Government expenditures, refusing to deviate from it when the strengthening of defense forces led to a large deficit.

ReaganomicsReagan's policies, partially based on supply-side economics sought to stimulate the economy with large across-the-board tax cuts. Most economists agree that tax cuts stimulate the economy, but supply-siders say that they have a much greater effect than most economists say they would. Reagan's policies soon became known as "Reaganomics", a nickname used by both his supporters and detractors. These tax cuts combined with heavy military spending increases led to enormous deficit spending and a dramatic increase in the national debt

ReaganomicsIn 1986 Reagan obtained an overhaul of the income tax code, which eliminated many deductions and exempted millions of people with low incomes. At the end of his administration, the Nation was enjoying its longest recorded period of peacetime prosperity without recession or depression.

Reagan with wife Nancy, the First Lady.

Reagan v. CommunismIn foreign policy, Reagan sought to achieve "peace through strength." During his two terms he increased defense spending 35 percent, but sought to improve relations with the Soviet Union. In dramatic meetings with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, he negotiated a treaty that would eliminate intermediate-range nuclear missiles. Reagan declared war against international terrorism,

“My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.” Although Reagan was a bit of a

comedian, part of Reagan’s foreign policy included a tough anti-communist agenda.

In 1987 he made a famous speech, addressed to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, regarding the Berlin Wall.

“General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization, come here to this

gate. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

Stanislav Petrov You can thank this man that you are alive today

On September 26, 1983, Mr. Petrov was commanding a secret bunker in the Soviet Union, where they monitored early-warning satellites over the United States.

That night alarms went off, indicating that the United States had launched nuclear missiles against the Soviet Union. Petrov had to decide what to do next. Was it a real attack?

Petrov decided, against much of the evidence, that the attack was not “for real,” and he sent information to his superiors not to launch an immediate counterattack.

"I had a funny feeling in my gut," Petrov said. "I didn't want to make a mistake. I made a decision, and that was it.“

Petrov was severely criticized by many for making such a decision, but it was discovered later that indeed, the Soviet satellites had a glitch, and it was a false alarm.

Former CIA analyst Peter Pry said that this was "probably the single most dangerous incident of the early 1980s.“

Reagan's policies in the "War on Drugs" emphasized imprisonment for drug offenders while cutting funding for addiction treatment. Critics charged that the policies did little to actually reduce the availability of drugs or crime on the street while resulting in a great financial and human cost for American society. Nevertheless, it was an important part of Reagan's policy of being tough on crime.

Reagan and the War on Drugs

One effect of the war on drugs has been a massive increase in the prison population

Iran-Contra AffairThere was a major scandal and investigation of his administration's covert support of wars in Iran and Nicaragua in what came to be known as the Iran-Contra Affair. Two members of administration, National Security Advisor John Poindexter and Col. Oliver North had hatched an elaborate plot to sell arms to the Iranian government and give the profits to the anti-Communist Contras guerillas in Nicaragua, who were engaged in a bloody civil war.

Iran-Contra AffairBoth actions were contrary to acts of Congress. Reagan professed ignorance of the plot, but admitted that he had supported the initial sale of arms to Iran, on the grounds that such sales were supposed to help secure the release of Americans being held hostage by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terrorist group in Lebanon.

Iran-Contra AffairReagan's quick call for the appointment of an Independent Counsel to investigate the wider scandal, and cooperation with counsel, kept Iran-Contra from ending his presidency. It was found that the President was guilty of the scandal only in that his lax control of his own staff resulted in his ignorance of the arms sale.

Oliver North prepares to testify before the hearings on Iran Contra

The Teflon President Considered personally honest by most Americans, President Reagan saw several scandals of bribery, corruption, and influence peddling involving his aides, resulting in more than 130 officials in the Reagan Administration either being convicted or forced to resign their posts.

The Teflon PresidentThe failure of these scandals to damage Reagan's reputation led Congressman Patricia Schroeder to dub him the "Teflon President."

Teflon is a high tech – no stick surface material for pots and pans

Reagan LegacyReagan boasted of tax reform and continuing prosperity. Reagan years were kindest to the wealthy. Still, most Americans were satisfied and Reagan’s two terms had restored pride in the nation. His Vice-President was well positioned for his own term in office.

Reagan with Bush (41)

George H.W. BushGeorge Bush brought to the White House a dedication to traditional American values "a kinder and gentler nation." In his Inaugural Address he pledged in "a moment rich with promise" to use American strength as "a force for good."

An end to the Cold WarBush faced a dramatically changing world, as the Cold War ended after 40 bitter years, the Communist empire broke up, and the Berlin Wall fell. The Soviet Union ceased to exist; and reformist President Mikhail Gorbachev, whom Bush had supported, resigned..

“Read my Lips… No new taxes.”

One of Bush’s most famous promises was that he would never approve an increase in taxes. When he eventually broke that promise, he lost many supporters.

The 1970s and 1980s— Presidents

•Nixon resigned in 1974.

•Gerald Ford (1974-1976)

•Jimmy Carter (1976-1980)

•Ronald Reagan (1980-1988)

•George Bush (1988-1992)

Supreme Court Cases Regents of the University of California v.

Bakke (1978) Court ruled that racial quotas were

unconsitutional, but that schools could still consider race as a factor in admissions

Decision made it difficult for organization to establish effective affirmative action policies

Supreme Court Cases con’t Roe v. Wade (1973)

Court ruled that women do have the right to choose and abortion during the first 3 months of pregnancy

Miranda v. Arizona (1966) Police must inform criminal suspects of their

legal rights at the time of arrest and may not interrogate suspects who invoke their rights

Supreme Court Cases con’t Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Court ruled that a defendant accused of a felonyhas the right to an attorney, which theGovernment must supply if the defendant cannotafford one

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972). members of the Old Order Amish religion were convicted of violating Wisconsin's compulsory school attendance law by declining to send their children to public or private school after they had graduated from the eighth grade. Decision was law violated their rights under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment

Supreme Court Cases con’t White v. Regester (1973) This case challenged the Texas 1970 legislative

reapportionment scheme, a three-judge District Court held that the House plan, state-wide, contained constitutionally impermissible deviations from population equality, and that the multi-member districts provided for Bexar and Dallas Counties invidiously discriminated against cognizable racial or ethnic groups.

Moral MajorityU.S. political action group composed of conservative, fundamentalist Christians. Founded (1979) led by evangelist Rev. Jerry Falwell, the group played a significant role in the 1980 elections through its strong support of conservative candidates. Moral Majority was dissolved in 1989

THREE MILE ISLAND In Pennsylvania in 1979 the nuclear power plan suffered a meltdownThe TMI-2 reactor's fuel core became uncovered and more than one third of the fuel melted.Radiation was released from the plant. The releases were not serious and there were not health hazards.

There were no injuries or detectable health impacts from the accident

Sandra Day O’Connor Sandra Day O'Connor is an

American judge who was the first female member of the Supreme Court of the United States. She served from 1981 until her retirement from the Court in 2006. O'Connor was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981. In the latter years of her tenure, she was regarded as having the swing opinion in many cases.

Computers

"Who invented the computer?" is not a question with a simple answer. The real answer is that many inventors contributed to the history of computers and that a computer is a complex piece of machinery made up of many parts, each of which can be considered a separate invention. This process began in 1936 and continues today.

The History of Computers 1951 First commercial computer 1958 The Integrated Circuit 'The Chip' 1962 The first computer game invented. 1964 Computer Mouse & Windows 1971 The first microprocessor. 1971 The "Floppy" 1973 Networking. 1983 The first home computer. 1984 Apple Macintosh Computer 1985 Microsoft Windows Microsoft begins the friendly war with Apple.

1980s Changes The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is

an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, President Richard Nixon and began operation on December 2, 1970

Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institution--a think tank-- mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. Our vision is to build an America where freedom, opportunity, prosperity, and civil society flourish.

1980 Changes Con’t The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) was proposed

by U.S. President Ronald Regan on March 23, 1983, to use ground- and space-based systems to protect the United States from attack by strategic nuclear ballistic missiles. The initiative focused on strategic defense rather than the prior strategic offense doctrine of mutual assured destruction (MAD). The Strategic Defense Initiative Organization (SDIO) was set up in 1984

The Community Reinvestment Act is intended to encourage depository institutions to help meet the credit needs of the communities in which they operate, including low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. It was enacted by the Congress in 1977. The regulation was substantially revised in May 1995 and updated again in August 2005.

Title IX The law states that the federal law

prohibited sex discrimination in educational institutions. The law states that "no person in the United States shall on the basis of sex be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a test that uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of organs and structures inside the body.

MRI also may show problems that cannot be seen with other imaging methods.

Cell Phones Martin Cooper, known by many as the father of the

cellular phone. He led Motorola's cellular research. Cooper set up in New York with the first working prototype

of a cellular telephone. Mr. Cooper took the phone technology out in New York to show the public.

On April 3, 1973, at a public demonstration and using a heavy 30-ounce phone, Martin Cooper placed the first cell phone call to his rival at AT&T Bell Labs from the streets of New York City. Mr. Cooper commented, "As I walked down the street while talking on the phone, sophisticated New Yorkers gaped at the sight of me. Remember that in 1973, there weren't cordless telephones or cellular phones. I made numerous calls smiling all the way.

SatellitesThe first communication satellite was launched on December

18, 1958. Signal Communication by Orbital Relay (SCORE), the first broadcasted was a message from President Eisenhower - "Peace on Earth, Good will toward men" - orbited the earth for 12 days until the batteries failed.

Combined, the U.S. and U.S.S.R. launched over 144 satellites between 1958 and 1962.

Bell Telephone Laboratories developed Telstar, a satellite that relayed television signals.

Near complete Earth coverage was achieved with the development of Intelsat in 1965-1969 governments and international organization control Intelsat. In 1997 Intelsat had 19 satellites in geostationary orbit.

SatellitesNASA led the new wave of

communication satellite technology with the launch of Advanced Communications Technology Satellites (ACTS) in 1993. ACTS made communication satellite constellation more feasible.

Several corporations decided to invest in broadband satellites. In 1997 the FCC gave permission to 13 companies to use a portion of the sky and a portion of the electromagnetic for their satellites systems.

ERAEqual Rights Amendment

Designed to provide both men and women with equal rights under the law

Passed by Congress in 1972 Needed to be ratified by 38 states in order to become part of

the Constitution Not enough states ratified it Phyllis McAlpin Stewart Schlafly is a Constitutional lawyer,

conservative activist who is known for her opposition to modern feminism ideas and for her campaign against the proposed Equal Rights Amendment

Endangered Species Act of 1973

The Endangered Species Act was signed in 1973, and provides for the conservation of species that are endangered or threatened throughout all or a significant portion of their range, and the conservation of the ecosystems on which they depend.

Country Music: Sounds of the Era70s: Loretta Lynn - “Coal Miner’s Daughter”

Tammy Wynette - “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” Willie Nelson - “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” Kenny Rogers - “Lucille” John Denver - “Take Me Home Country Road” Waylon and Willie - “Mama Don’t Let your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys” Crystal Gayle - “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” Charlie Daniels Band - “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”

Country Music: Sounds of the Era

80s: Waylon and Willie - “LuckenbachTexas”Dolly Parton - “I Will Always Love You”Johnny Lee - “Looking for Love”Willie Nelson - “Always On My Mind”Lee Greenwood - “God Bless the

USA”