The 1970s Nixon Ford and Carter Nixons Foreign

The 1970’s Nixon, Ford, and Carter

Nixon’s Foreign Policy • Signed agreements with China and the Soviet Union • Waged secret war against Cambodia • Signed Paris Peace Accords, ending the War in Vietnam

Nixon’s Domestic Policy • Supported the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • New Federalism Block Grants offered money to the states

Watergate Break-in • Nixon secretly agreed to send burglars to break-in the Democratic Party headquarters • He wanted to steal the Democrats secrets so he could win the 1972 election

Watergate Hearings • Burglars were arrested and imprisoned • The Congress called high level Nixon aids to testify before Congress. • There were audio tapes showing that Nixon was involved in the break-in

Nixon Resigns • The House Judiciary Committee voted to impeach Nixon. • He resigned before facing a trial in the Congress • He left in disgrace

Inflation • Inflation is the general rise in prices • From 1973 to 1975 gas rose from. 35 cents a gallon to over two dollars a gallon

OPEC • OPEC is the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries • These Middle Eastern Countries cut back on oil production, leading to higher prices

Recession • A recession is when an economy shrinks • In the 1970’s many people in the steel and auto industries were laid off, leading to high unemployment rates

Deficit • A deficit is when a government spends more money than it brings in tax revenues • The US ran a deficit in the 1970’s

Gas Rationing • The United States began rationing gasoline. There were long lines in front of gas stations. • Drivers could only buy gasoline on even days or odd days.

1974 -75 Inflation • Food, shelter, clothing, transportation, became more expensive as prices rapidly rose in 1974 -1975. • During President Ford’s presidency 1974 -1975 inflation went up to 9%.

WIN • President Ford began his program called Whip Inflation Now (WIN). • He tried to bring prices down by raising interest rates and cutting government spending.

Carter’s Intervention • President Carter tried to lower the unemployment rate by increasing government spending and cutting taxes. • The unemployment rate dropped to 6%, but inflation rose to 13% by 1980.

The Energy Crisis • With gas prices rising, the US faced an energy crisis • Pres. Carter asked the US to use American natural gas, sun, and solar power. • He also asked Americans to conserve energy and US companies to build smaller cars

Carter’s Foreign Policy • President Carter wanted a foreign policy based on human rights • President Carter helped create a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. This was called the Camp David Accords.

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan • In 1979 the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. • Fighting broke out between the Russians and the Mujadeen fighters in Afghanistan.

Carter’s Response • President Carter ordered sanctions against the Soviet Union, including a grain embargo. • The US boycotted the 1980 summer Olympics, held in Moscow.

Iranian hostage crisis • In 1979 Iranians overthrew the Shah of Iran, who was a US ally. • Iranian revolutionaries took over the US embassy and seized 52 US diplomats as hostages.

Operation Eagle Claw • President Carter ordered a group of US Special Forces to free the hostages, but the mission failed when the helicopters crashed in the desert.

Tough Times for Carter • President Carter’s approval rating fell to 26%. • The country had high inflation and unemployment • He lost the presidency to Ronald Reagan.

Reagan Elected • In 1980 US voters elected Republican Ronald Reagan to the Presidency with 51% of the popular vote and 44 states in the Electoral College.

Declining US Steel • Foreign steel companies began to produce steel more efficiently than US companies. • In 1946 the US produced 60% of the world’s steel. In 1978 the US produced only 16% of the world’s steel. • The US Congress rejected the US steel industry’s request for quotas on foreign steel sold in the US.

Rise of Japanese Autos • Japanese automobiles made fuel-efficient cars in the 1970’s. • In the 1970’s Americans began buying Japanese and foreign cars. Foreign companies increased their market share from 17% to 37% of the US market.

Aid to the Unemployed • The US government extended unemployment benefits to 300, 000 autoworkers, which lost their jobs.

Pollution in the 70’s • In the 1970’s autos and industry rapidly created air pollution in cities like Los Angeles. In addition, there were several oil spills. The Three Mile nuclear reactor released radioactive water and steam. • Inhabitants at Three Mile Island Love Canal evacuated their homes due to extreme pollution.

Name the Movie Music • Can you identify the Movie this song was from? • (Hint: This was the first blockbuster film made by Steven Spielberg)

Jaws • Director: Steven Spielberg • Music by John Williams • Released 1975

Name the Movie Music • Can you identify the Movie this song was from? • (Hint: This was the first movie, that later was made into a trilogy)

Star Wars • Director: George Lucas • Music by John Williams

Name the Movie Music • Can you identify the Movie this song was from? • What band of brothers sang the song track? • (Hint: They played on the final American Idol Show this week)

Saturday Night Fever • Starring John Travolta • Soundtrack by the Bee Gees (Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb) • 1977 Release

Who Was it? What was it? • The Watergate Break in • Richard Nixon • Nixon sent people to steal the campaign secrets of the Democrats, but they were caught. This caused a scandal in the Nixon administration.

Who Was it? What was it? • Ordered Sanctions Against the Soviet Union for its invasion of Afghanistan • Jimmy Carter • Carter didn’t sell wheat to the Soviet Union and he didn’t let US athletes participate in the Olympic Games in Moscow.

Who Was it? What was it? • Signed Agreement with the Soviet Union and China • Richard Nixon • Nixon carried out policy of détente with the communist countries. This helped lessen tensions between the superpowers.

Who Was it? What was it? • Asked Americans to conserve energy and use renewable resources • Jimmy Carter • High oil prices led Carter to ask Americans to use less electricity. He wanted people to drive slower to save gas, and use renewable energy like hydro, solar, and wind power.

Who Was it? What was it? • Resigned from Office • Richard Nixon • The Congress found out that Nixon had ordered the Watergate Break in. It was on tapes. He was forced to resign the presidency or he would have been impeached.

Who was it? What was it? • The OPEC Embargo • Gerald Ford • The Middle Eastern countries reduced the amount of oil leading to high gasoline prices and shortages in the US.

Who Was it? What was it? • Established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • Richard Nixon • The EPA was designed to stop the pollution of air, water, and land. It established government regulations to help the environment.

Who Was it? What was it? • Lost Election to Ronald Reagan • Jimmy Carter’s popularity dropped after the US had high inflation and unemployment. In addition, he was blamed for the Iran Hostage crisis. Reagan was elected.

Who Was it? What was it? • Camp David Accords • Jimmy Carter got the leaders of Israel and Egypt to meet at Camp David, Maryland. They agreed to stop fighting and signed a peace agreement.

Who Was it? What was it? • Iranian Hostage Crisis • Jimmy Carter • Iran took over the US embassy and captured 54 Americans hostages. Carter tried to save them, but the mission failed when the helicopter’s crashed.