Richard Nixon
Political Background • Review: ▫ How did Nixon get his political start? ▫ Why was his first attempt to become president (1960) unsuccessful? ▫ Why was his second attempt to become president (1968) so successful?
Environmental Issues • 1962 Silent Spring – Book by Rachel Carson; warned of harmful effects of chemicals • 1970 – Earth Day demonstrations – Nixon responded with Clean Air Act which regulated pollution • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Repaired damage already done to environment – Established new criteria to make a cleaner environment
Foreign Policies • Realpolitik: ▫ realistic approach to politics based on what’s best for the nation • Détente: ▫ reduced or lessened Cold War tensions • SALT: Strategic Arms Limitation Talks ▫ Reduce weapons & decrease build up of new weapons over next 5 years (with U. S. S. R. )
China • China ▫ Nixon became the 1 st president to visit Communist China ▫ “Ping Pong” diplomacy Why is Nixon the man to do this? ▫ Success in improving relations with China ▫ http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=N 5 V 9 s. P_n. DCM
Middle East • 1967 Six-Day War (June) ▫ Israel launched a preventative military effort to counter what they saw as an impending attack by Arab nations (Jordan, Syria & Egypt) that surrounded Israel ▫ Military disaster for Arabs & weakened morale ▫ http: //www. youtube. com/wa tch? v=awn. B 45 cs. Hwk • Yom Kippur War ▫ Egypt & Syria launched a surprise attack on this holiest day of prayer & fasting ▫ Although initially overwhelmed, after 2 days Israelis pushed back until the U. N. declared a cease-fire ▫ http: //abcnews. go. com/Archi ves/video/oct-10 -1973 -yomkippur-war-11128315
Developments at Home • Oil embargo ▫ Because of weaknesses in Arabic countries, many nations imposed an oil embargo which led to an energy crisis in the U. S. ▫ Led to increasing costs for nearly everything • Apollo 11 ▫ 1969, Neil Armstrong, “Buzz” Aldrin & Michael Collins landed on the moon ▫ Major NASA success ▫ http: //www. youtube. com/wa tch? v=x. Lu 0 Ak 9 Blog
Election of 1972 • Nixon (R) vs. George Mc. Govern (D) ▫ Eventful 1 st term for Nixon ▫ “Plumbers” – respond to “leaks” of secrets & investigate political enemies ▫ (e. g. Pentagon Papers & Daniel Ellsberg’s psychiatrist) ▫ Hatched a plan to break into offices of the Democratic National Committee at the Watergate Hotel ▫ Woodward & Bernstein investigate the story ▫ Read pg. 675
Scandal Unfolds • Nixon was re-elected despite continued investigation into the “Watergate scandal” ▫ April 1973, Haldeman & Erlichman (advisers); John Dean (lawyer); & attorney general all resigned but Democrats continued investigation
Butterfield’s Bombshell • Senate began its own investigation with televised hearings ▫ Former presidential Aide Alexander Butterfield revealed that since 1971 Nixon had tape-recorded all conversations in his office ▫ Nixon argued “executive privilege” for privacy ▫ Despite subpoenas, Nixon ordered attorney general Elliot Richardson to fire Special Prosecutor Cox He was fired when he refused (as was his assistant) Saturday Night Massacre
Watergate Ends • Public confidence in Nixon was low despite his continued denial ▫ 1974 Nixon released a transcript of taped conversations but not enough ▫ Supreme Court finally ruled Nixon had to submit tapes ▫ Without waiting for him to comply, the House Judiciary Committee voted to recommend impeachment of the Pres. for obstruction of justice & failure to obey subpoenas > Nixon’s resignation ▫ http: //www. history. com/topics/watergate/videos /watergate-scandal-brings-down-richar-nixon
Gerald Ford’s Presidency • Nixon’s V. P. Spiro Agnew had resigned due to tax issues so without a VP, Nixon chose the Republican leader in the House of Reps – Gerald Ford ▫ *He was the 1 st president without having been elected Pres. or VP ▫ Ford pardoned Nixon for any crime(s) he may have committed ▫ He lost the election in 1976 to Jimmy Carter
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