(Silent Majority)
Reference to the middle class
Big Government vs. Social Ills
Nixon hated Big Government. Americans were tired of government spending, however they still wanted the government to address problems in society
New Federalism
AKA Revenue Sharing. The federal government gave states start up money to fund social programs, but the states ran the programs themselves
(Stagflation)
1. The expense of the Vietnam War
2. Foreign Competition
3. Dependency on foreign oil
Busing
Court ordered and designed to continue promoting integration and racial balance in schools. Nixon opposed busing and gained support of southern whites
(Affirmative Action)
A plan to help African Americans overcome past discrimination. Nixon usually opposed except when it came to unions, therefore, he gained the support of southern whites
Election of 1972
Nixon defeated the democratic candidate, George McGovern, and was reelected
(Watergate)
Political scandal involving illegal activities that ultimately led to the resignation of President Nixon in 1974
White House Tapes/(Executive Privilege)
The White House tapes were secret recordings found in the oval office. Nixon invoked executive privilege and refused to hand over the tapes. July 1974 the supreme court ruled that Nixon had to turn over the tapes. The tapes revealed that Nixon ordered the
Resignation/Ford
Nixon resigned in August 1974, Ford became new president
Public Confidence
By the mid 1970s most Americans did not trust their government
Checks and Balances
Successful, preserved the constitution, congress and the supreme court successfully checked the power of the president
Ford Succeeded Nixon as President
1974
Inherited Severe Economic Problems
Economy worsened during Ford's term such as inflation, skyrocketing prices, and rising unemployment
(Pardoned) Nixon
Therefore lost political support
Jimmy Carter
Democrat who was elected president in 1976, defeated Ford
Democratic Leadership
Carter lacked respect from his own political party. Often his proposed bills were changed by democratic leadership
(Amnesty)
Granted to those who evaded the draft. Carter lost political support over this
Energy Crisis
Created fuel shortages and rising oil prices. This caused factories and businesses to shut down which further weakened Carter's support and affected the Ford and Carter administrations
Latin America and Asia
Migration increased in the Sunbelt in 1970s making their votes very important to conservatives
Me Generation
Premarital sex, drugs/drug use, high divorce rate, children born to unwed parents, and a fascination with physical fitness
Conservatives/Traditional Values
Became stronger as a reaction to the me generation and the economy
(Helsinki Accords)
Agreement made in 1975 among the US, Canada, and European countries, including the Soviet Union, in which all nations agreed to support human rights
(SALT ll)
Proposed agreement between the US and Soviet Union to limit certain types of nuclear arms production; it was never ratified by the US senate
(Boat People)
During the mid late 1970s, over 1 million people left Vietnam, this was the largest mass migration by sea in modern history
Afghanistan
Invaded by the Soviet Union in 1979 causing relations with the soviets to cool
SALT ll/(Sanctions)
The SALT ll treaty was withdrawn by the US and US boycotted the 1980 summer olympic games in Moscow
Nicaragua
US support was withdrawn due to human rights violations
Cuba/Mariel Boatlift
US and Cuba experienced strained relations after Castro sent Cuban criminals to the US
Panama
Carter negotiated a treaty to return ownership of the canal zone back to Panama in 1999
(Camp David Accords)
Came about when Egypt formally recognized Israel and Carter's greatest foreign policy achievement
Iran
Setback especially with the Iran hostage crisis
called on Americans to conserve oil
President Carter
religious conservatives
called for an increase in church attendance
Twenty-fifth Amendment
established procedures for presidential succession