SSUSH 22 Nixon Ford Carter Essential Question How

SSUSH 22 Nixon, Ford, Carter

Essential Question How did the actions of NOW during the United States' modern era affect society?

The Women’s Movement

Feminists drew attention to sexual discrimination & unequal pay for women

Feminists drew attention to sexual discrimination & unequal pay for women, and wanted change! The National Organization of Women (NOW) was formed to advocate for women’s rights

The Environmental Movement Cleveland's Cuyahoga River on fire in 1969

Biologist Rachel Carson published Silent Spring exposing the dangers of pesticides on the environment In reaction to the book, and several environmental issues, the government passed clean air & water laws & formed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Essential Question How did the actions of Richard Nixon during the United States' modern era affect society?

Richard M. Nixon • Nixon ran and won as the Republican candidate for the Presidency in 1968

Richard Nixon & Foreign Policy President Nixon successfully changed U. S. foreign policy Instead of using containment to fight Communism & increase Cold War tensions, Nixon created a policy of détente (to ease tensions) with America’s Cold War enemies

Richard Nixon & Foreign Policy Nixon’s foreign policy included “peace with honor” in Vietnam

Ending the Vietnam War In 1973, the U. S. & North Vietnam agreed to a cease fire & the U. S. withdrew troops from Vietnam In 1975, North Vietnam violated the ceasefire, invaded South Vietnam, & unified the nation under a communist government

The Impact of the Vietnam War The war changed foreign policy… • Containment ended as Americans became cautious of the U. S. role in the world • Congress limited a president's ability to send troops without a declaration of war.

Richard Nixon & Foreign Policy • Though Nixon was anti-communist, he believed that the only way to create a peaceful world was to build a better relationship with China and Russia • He lifted trade and travel restrictions with China • Nixon traveled to China in 1972, becoming the first President to visit the country • Nixon hoped that the visit to China would force Russia to open peaceful talks with the U. S.

Watergate • In 1972 President Nixon began his reelection campaign • Fearing that political issues might cause him to lose, some of Nixon’s campaign staff began spying on his opponent • In June 1972, men linked to Nixon’s campaign, were arrested breaking into the Democratic Party’s headquarters in the Watergate Hotel

Watergate • The men were attempting to steal campaign information and tap the phones • Nixon began to cover up any connection between his staff and the break in, ordering the CIA to stop the FBI’s investigation • The President denied any wrongdoing and eventually won reelection • By June of 1973 it was revealed that Nixon had installed a taping system in the Oval Office to record conversations that he had hoped to use to write a book after he left office

Watergate • Nixon refused to turn the tapes over to prosecutors investigating the break-in but was eventually ordered to turn them over by the Supreme Court • With clear evidence of a Presidential cover-up on the tapes, the House began discussions to impeach Nixon • In 1974, Nixon resigned, instead of facing impeachment, from the Presidency leaving Gerald Ford, his Vice-President, in command

Why is Watergate such an important event in U. S. history? How did Watergate change the way Americans perceive their political leaders? Should Nixon’s presidency be judged more in his foreign. Do you think Nixon’s policy successes or the actions were different Watergate scandal? Why? from most politicians?

The Watergate scandal changed America: • The scandal eroded public trust in their political leaders; Added to the distrust created by the Vietnam War • Revealed the importance of the media in serving as a “watchdog” of the gov’t • Congress assumed more leadership • Uncertainty whether prosecutors would charge Nixon with crimes

Gerald Ford In September 1974, Ford pardoned Nixon of any crimes related to Watergate; Ford lost popular support, and would lose his election bid in 1976 (the economy was also in bad shape).

Jimmy Carter Ford was defeated in the 1976 election by Jimmy Carter ran as an “outsider” who played no part in Vietnam, Watergate, or the recession

Jimmy Carter & Foreign Policy Carter entered office committed to making “human rights” the basis of U. S. foreign policy Carter hoped to gain peace in the Middle East between Israel & the Muslim nations

Since its 1970 s, creation in 1947, By the Egypt appeared ready Israel was attacked its to recognize Israel inbyexchange for the Muslim neighbors in the return of land in the Sinai Peninsula 1940 s, 1960 s, & 1970 s

Camp David Accords Carter brought Egyptian leader Anwar el-Sadat & Israeli leader Menachem Begin to the U. S. for the Camp David Accords in 1977 ? Carter did the impossible ? Egypt recognized Israel’s right to exist Israel agreed to leave the Sinai Peninsula

Jimmy Carter & Foreign Policy But, the situation in another part of the Middle East worsened in 1979 when the Iranian Revolution erupted

Jimmy Carter & Foreign Policy Iranians seized the U. S. embassy & captured 52 American hostages (Iranian Hostage Crisis) Carter tried negotiation, economic threats, & a rescue mission to return the hostages but all efforts failed The 52 hostages were held for over a year, only to be released once Ronald Reagan became President

Questions? ? • Why do you think Iran waited until Reagan became President to release the hostages? • What was accomplished during the Camp David Accords? • Why do you think Ford pardoned Nixon? What probably would have happened if he didn’t? • What was Watergate? • How did Nixon change foreign policy?