Nixon to Carter

Nixon, Ford, & Carter• Took office in 69 & determined conservative• New Federalism: give back some of the power &

responsibilities to states & localities (downsize federal gov’t)

• Had to negotiate w/ democrat controlled Congress• Increased spending for Social Security, Medicare, food stamps

• Nixon impounded funds for some programs (later unconstitutional)

• Late 60s & early 70s US faced stagflation: high inflation & unemployment

• Caused by deficit spending (war & new programs), increased international competition, new workers (baby boomers), dependence on foreign oil

• Nixon focused more on foreign affairs (Vietnam, China, USSR)

• Change from containment to realpolitik (more flexible approach to communism)

• Détente: easing of Cold War tensions

• Nixon recognized China & visited (wanted to take advantage of rift between USSR & China)

• visited Moscow & signed SALT I (limit # of missiles)

• End of Vietnam, détente, USSR & Chinese relations helped him win election of 72

• Watergate scandal led to his downfall, resigned before impeachment began (74), Ford sworn in

• Ford pardoned Nixon Sep 1974 (bad PR move)• Inflation, unemployment, energy prices (OPEC) rise• Ford called on a citizen led program: WIN but failed• Cut spending, raised interest rates (worst recession

in 40 yrs)

• Battled democratic controlled Congress, vetoed 50 bills in 2 yrs

• Continued Nixon’s foreign policy w/ Kissinger’s help• Helsinki Accords: cooperation between nations• Cease fire ended in Vietnam (Saigon falls), problems

in Cambodia

• Carter narrowly won election over Ford

• Used fireside chats & honest, down to earth style

• #1 problem: OPEC energy crisis, 100 proposals to Congress

• passed National Energy Act: tax on gas-guzzling cars, removed price controls on oil & natural gas, tax credit for alternative energy

• OPEC passed another price hike & inflation soared• Economy changing from manufacture to service• Booming economies of W. Germany & Asian tigers

cut into US markets

• Carter promoted human rights over realpolitik, cut nations off for human rights abuses

• Gave up control of Panama Canal to improve relations in Latin America

• Détente ended when USSR invaded Afghanistan

• Helped to create Camp David Accords: peace between Egypt & Israel

• Iranian students seized US embassy in Theran & took 52 hostages , finally released in 1981 after Reagan was sworn in (444 days)

Image Sources (in order)• http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://cacpeaceday.wikispaces.com/file/view/RichardNixonHelic

opter.jpg/31296833/RichardNixonHelicopter.jpg&imgrefur• lhttp://www.historycentral.com/elections/1968PresElect.jpg• csmonitor.com• asiatravel.org• http://www.ibhistorytopics.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/2007-06-11-nixon_detente1.jpg• http://www.history.com/images/media/slideshow/gerald-ford/gerald-ford-salt.jpg• http://www.historycommons.org/events-images/b274_jimmy_carter_2050081722-23075.jpg• http://media.cnbc.com/i/CNBC/Sections/News_And_Analysis/_News/_SLIDESHOWS/AutoMilestones/SS_

milestones_energycrisis.jpg• http://www.dailyhistory.net/images/panama-canal-handover-jimmy-carter-mireya-moscoso.jpg• http://www.britannica.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/0000078620-cartej008-004.jpg• http://www.thinktankprm.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/iran-hostage-crisis.jpg