The Nixon Years 1968 1974 Defeat doesnt finish

The Nixon Years 1968 -1974

“Defeat doesn't finish a man, quit does. A man is not finished when he's defeated. He's finished when he quits. ” -- Richard Nixon

The Rise of the Republicans

We should have seen it coming!! The turmoil of the 60’s makes Middle America or mainstream Americans move to the Republican party

Anti-War sentiments After the Tet Offensive the majority of Americans were against the Vietnam War. Militarily South Vietnam wins, but politically the US is defeated. Many anti-war demonstrations. US government says, “No cause justifies violence. ”

MLK Working with integration, voting and economic injustice within the civil rights movement. Poor People’s Campaign- MLK felt that poverty bred violence. Went to Memphis to get support.

MLK’s is assassinated April 3, 1968 he gives his “I have been to the mountaintop” speech April 4, 1968 Assassinated by James Earl Ray. Riots Can break out. non-violent change work?

Robert F. Kennedy Running for Democratic presidential nomination Wanted an end to the Vietnam War. Instead of financing the war he wanted to help the poor and disadvantaged at home. June 5, 1968 - After winning the California primary, he is shot and killed by Sirhan.

The US mourns the passing of 2 great men

1968 Democratic National Convention With Kennedy gone, who will lead the democrats? Mc. Carthy or Humphrey? Democratic party is falling apart. Hippies, radicals and peace activists come to Chicago Police prepare for the worst and move in on the demonstrators. Violence erupts. Humphrey wins the nomination, but the party is falling apart.

The Convention

Finally the election of 1968 Richard Nixon (R)Former Vice-President. Had a secret plan to end the war. Had a very well run campaign. Hubert Humphrey (D)- Supported Johnson’s policies in Vietnam. Losing democratic support. George Wallace (I)Appealed to blue-collar workers and southerners.

More on the election President Johnson ends the bombing in Vietnam before the election. democrats stay at home and don’t vote. Nixon wins 43. 3% Humphrey wins 42. 7%

The Nixon Administration Nixon wants the executive branch to excel and gathers close advisors around him.

Let’s figure out what this quote means “This time the wolf is here. ”

The staff Nixon has White House staff developing policynot the cabinet. 3 most important were: HR Haldeman- Chief-of -Staff, did everything Nixon wanted John Ehrlichman- Chief Domestic Advisor John Mitchell- Attorney General All 3 protect Nixon

Another close advisor Henry Kissinger. Secretary of State

Domestic Policy Inflation Unemployment Budget Nixon is high is unbalanced decides to use deficit spending more money than you receive in revenues. He hoped to stimulate the economy. To slow down inflation he freezes wages, prices and rents.

Another problem- The Oil Crisis 1973 - Israel is fighting Egypt and Syria. The US backs Israel. The Arab members of OPECOrganization of Petroleum Exporting Countries- impose an embargo- or ban on shipping oil to the US. Oil prices skyrocket, inflation is up and unemployment is at its highest since 1930. (9%) US is in a recession $4. 00 to $12. 00 a barrel

Social Programs Nixon wants to shut down some social programs very hard to do. He is always worried with the next election.

Restoring Law and Order Nixon wants the counterculture (hippies) to fade away. He wants the silent majority- quiet and respectful Americansto regain control of the country

1970 - Kent State Ohio Anti-War activists demonstrating. Ohio National Guard called in to keep the peace but… open fire. 4 dead

The Southern Strategy If Nixon helps the blacks, he threatens the white southerners who voted for him. So Nixon wants a middle ground between integration and segregation Opposes court-ordered busing. Eases guidelines for desegregation. Wanted to prevent the Voting Rights Act of ‘ 65.

Nixon’s Supreme Court 4 of 9 judges die, resign or retire. Nixon gets to replace them with conservatives Warren Burger, Harry Blackmun, Lewis Powell and William Rehnquist (Chief Justice in 2003)

First Moon Landing Apollo 11 - Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Mike Collins “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. ” Soviets got the first man in space, we got the first man on the moon.

So, what does it mean? ? ? “This time the wolf is here”

Let’s work with the terms Group of 2 - 1 facing the board, 1 facing away

Tet Offensive Henry Kissinger James Earl Ray Supreme Court Round 1

Martin Luther King Hubert Humphrey Deficit spending Democratic National Convention Round 2

Embargo Poor People’s Campaign Kent State Richard Nixon Round 3

George Wallace Israel Counterculture Chicago Round 4

Foreign Policy Nixon will establish ties with China and eases Cold War tensions.

The importance of Henry Kissinger From a Jewish family that fled Nazi Germany in 1938 Harvard graduate Believed in realpolitik or practical politics. Make decisions based on maintaining your own national strength- not hanging on moral principles. Became a major player in shaping foreign policy Nobel Prize winner in 1973 Secretary of State, National Security advisor, skilled diplomat

Relaxing Tensions Nixon and Kissinger’s greatest accomplishment is détente- relaxation in tensions with the USSR and China. They negotiated peacefully with both.

China The US dismissed China after they became communists. Now Nixon wants to recognize them and have political relations with them. Nixon lifts travel restrictions and begins trade Nixon becomes the first president to travel to China in 1972.

Limiting Nuclear Arms A few months after his visit to China, Nixon goes to the USSR to improve relations with them. Outcomes of the talks We will explore space together Ease trade limits Negotiate a weapons pact

Nixon is worried about proliferation- growth of nuclear weapons.

US and USSR begins weapons talks SALT I- 5 year agreement to limit missiles. Proved to the world that the superpowers could reach agreements about nuclear weapons. At first Nixon wants nuclear superiority now a balance of power is more important.

Watergate

Nixon wants a big win in the 1972 election, and his loyal aides will do anything to make it happen.

Siege mentality Enemies list- people who do not like the Nixon Administration are targeted with tax investigations… Wiretaps- installed for national security reasons. Later used for political reasons. “Plumbers” wanted to end government leaks and ensure big win for the Republicans E. Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy Gather intelligence and secret political information for the President.

Re-election Campaign John Mitchell (AG) is in charge Got money for the regular campaign and for the unethical things they were doing (payoffs of spies, hecklers…)

Watergate Break-In There were many plans from the Committee to Reelect the President. (CREP) Wiretapping top democrats to get info.

More… Wiretapping at Democratic National Headquarters (approved by John Mitchell) Break-in ended with arrest of 5 men. They were carrying money that could be traced to the Committee to Reelect the President. Nixon asks the CIA to persuade the FBI to stop the investigation because it involved national security. Nixon not involved with the break-in but now he is involved with the cover up. Aides All bribe people to be quiet. this information is not widely known to the public, yet.

Nixon elected President in 1972

The Watergate Scandal Unfolds Watergate Burglars Trial on trial- all guilty Judge John J. Sirica presidinghe will reduce sentences if they cooperate.

Woodward and Bernstein Washington Post reporters Knew the trial would lead to the White House. Brought the scandal to the public with their investigative reporting.

Now the Senate Investigates Mc. Cord- Watergate burglar- testifies John Dean- says Nixon knew of the coverup. Aide- tells of a secret taping system used in the Oval Office.

Saturday Night Massacre- 1973 Special Prosecutor- conducts an independent investigation. Archibald Cox appointed. He wants the tapes- Nixon refuses and orders him fired. Then other resignations and firings begin. Nixon now looks like he is guilty

Now it’s time for Leon Jaworski Next in line after Archibald Cox Asks for the tapes Nixon gives him edited transcripts instead. He cuts out damaging evidence.

Vice-President Spiro Agnew Accused of tax evasion and taking bribes. He resigns his office. Gerald Ford (House Minority Leader) takes his position.

Impeachment- Bringing charges of misconduct against a government official. Are there grounds for impeachment? The House Judiciary Committee votes to impeach for obstruction of justice, abuse of power and refusal to obey a congressional order. (tapes) House of Representatives must vote to impeach, then the Senate would have the trial. The outcome seems obvious.

Nixon Resigns He releases the tapes, but 18 ½ minutes are erased. But it still shows his involvement in the coverup. August 9, 1974 - He resigns to avoid impeachment. Gerald Ford is sworn in as President.

Gerald Ford One month after being sworn in he pardons Nixon. He wanted the nation to focus on other issues.

What we have learned Government officials can abuse power given to them by the people. Balance of powers and the US Constitution work. Legislative and Judicial branches made the Executive branch answer for their criminal actions. The power of the press is unbelievable.

Let’s work with the terms

Spiro Agnew wiretapping proliferation Washington Post Round 1

Détente Watergate China pardon Round 2

Woodward and Bernstein tapes enemies list Gerald Ford Round 3

Saturday Night Massacre plumbers SALT I impeachment Round 4