America in the 1970's Flashcards
1
Q
Vietnam War Causes
A
- 1950s: the French were overwhelmed by North Vietnamese (communists) guerrilla warfare tactics, the U.S. becomes invested
- South Vietnamese leader (Ngo Dinh Diem) was unpopular, leads to his assassination
- Domino Theory: if Vietnam fell to communism, the rest of the South Pacific would
2
Q
Tonkin Gulf Resolution
A
- 1964
- North Vietnamese ships attacked U.S. ships, seen as a direct threat
- Lyndon B. Johnson uses this to convince Congress to send more troops to Vietnam
- Congress authorizes office of the President “all necessary measures” in waging war against Vietnam
- Increases the power of the President / the Executive Branch
- American Boats get “blown up” so congress says “We need to go fight Vietnam and this justifies doing so”
3
Q
Tet Offensive
A
- North Vietnamese led a massive offensive on every South Vietnam City and U.S. military base in Vietnam
- News agencies capture the offensive, release the images to millions across the U.S.
- News covered more intensely than any other war (in previous wars they had been working for the government)
- Americans begin to see the evils of war
4
Q
The Pentagon Papers
A
- Journalists leaked Vietnam War information to the public, focused on U.S. troops attacking women and children
- Supreme Court rules that this information must be released to the public
- Stirs up antiwar activity
5
Q
Why does Lyndon B. Johnson not run for a second term?
A
- Vietnam failures were too damaging
- Started losing primaries (because of Vietnam backlash)
6
Q
Richard Nixon
A
- Republican
- former Vice President to Eisenhower
- Believed in fiscal responsibility / modern republicanism
- Goals
- End Vietnam War with a U.S. victory
- Follow Eisenhower’s Domino Theory - Social policy: leave it up to the states discretion; no civil rights acts
7
Q
Moon Landing
A
- July 20th, 1969
- America wins the space race
- Patriotic moment for the U.S.
- Morale boost after 1960s (Vietnam War, JFK’s assassination,…)
8
Q
Nixon’s Vietnam War Approach
A
- Increase warfare
- Increase bombing missions in Vietnam
- Vietnamization: reduce troops and give money to South Vietnam
- Utilize Cambodia to get rid of communism on the peninsula
9
Q
Anti War Protests
A
- 2 groups:
- Supporters (Hawks)
- Opposers (Doves) - As the Vietnam War worsens, more people protest
10
Q
Kent State Massacre
A
- May 4th, 1970
- Massive antiwar protest at Kent State University
- National Guard arrives, tensions flare, and 4 students are killed
11
Q
End of Vietnam War
A
- End of 1972 North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the United States agree to an armistice
- North Vietnam takes over South Vietnam
- About 1 million dead on both sides
- $118 million spent
12
Q
Detente
A
Deliberate decrease in communism / Cold War tensions
- a policy of “openness” + called for countries to respect each other’s differences and cooperate more closely
13
Q
SALT Treaty
A
- Stands for Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty
- Both the U.S. and the Soviet Union agreed to decrease the amount of nuclear weapons
14
Q
New Federalism
A
- Government program created by Nixon
- Gives $30 million to states and local governments
- Democrats are against it; they believe the government should decide what to do with the money, not the states
15
Q
Stagflation
A
- Stagnation & inflation
- Wages and annual income stay constant
- Costs of goods and services rises
16
Q
Causes of Stagflation
A
- Millions spent on trying to win the Vietnam War
- OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) Oil Embargo because of increased tensions in Israel (causes gas prices to rise dramatically)
17
Q
The Burger Court
A
- Nixon nominates conservative judges to replace retired liberal judges
- Warren M. Burger replaces Earl Warren
- Court doesn’t rule the way Nixon had expected
18
Q
Roe v. Wade
A
- 1973
- Burger Court dominated by conservatives, making Nixon think they would be against people in favor of abortion
- Supreme Court rules that women have the right to abortion
19
Q
Election of 1972
A
- Nixon has little competition
- One of the biggest landslide victories in history
- Nixon is looking to get America out of bad economy and establish good economic world relations
20
Q
Watergate Scandal
A
- CREEP and Nixon set up illegal wiretaps to record the strategies of the democratic party
- Wiretapping is ordered in the oval office too
21
Q
Nixon v. United States
A
- 1974
- Nixon says the wiretapping was a matter of national security
- The judges that Nixon nominated ruled against him
- Watergate Scandal = impeachable offense (the president isn’t above the law)
- Nixon has to hand over the tapes
22
Q
Nixon’s Resignation
A
- Impeachment trial would remove Nixon from office
- Nixon chooses to resign first
- Vice President Gerald Ford becomes President
23
Q
The War Powers Act
A
- Congress has to be notified 48 hours before any military action
- Military action > 60 days has to be approved by Congress
24
Q
Federalism
A
No branch has power > the other branches
25
Gerald Ford
-Republican
-Vice President to Nixon, then President
Goals:
-Introduce conservative measures to fix inflation
-Investigations in federal corruption & wrongdoings
-Vetoes 37 democratic approaches to inflation
26
Election of 1976
- Jimmy Carter wins
- Ford's association with Nixon causes less votes because of national shame
- Some Republicans liked Ford's conservative approach
- Republican Party splits
- Gerald Ford (Moderate)
- Ronald Reagan (Conservative)
- Like elections of 1860 and 1912
27
Jimmy Carter
- Democrat
- Goals:
- Reduce Cold War tensions
- Stabilize / recover the economy
- More rights to minority groups
28
Jimmy Carter & the Panama Canal
- Convinces Congress to pass treaties with Panama to give back the canal
- Takes 20 years for complete control
29
Camp David Accords
- Negotiate peace talks with Israel & Egypt to try to end Israeli Wars
- Doesn't provide long-lasting help
30
Iran Hostage Situation
- Sinks Carter's reputation
- Iran passes legislation to open trade to other countries (i.e. the Soviet Union)
- U.S. puts the dictator in charge
- 1979: the dictator is removed and the US embassy takes over
- Carter sends a helicopter to rescue hostages but it crashes
31
Carter's Fiscal Policies
- Inflation as high as 13%
- Federal reserve raises interest rates (up to 20%) to reduce spending
- Businesses are forced to lay off workers until the market is corrected
32
Third Wave of Immigration (Technically called Fourth)
- 47% immigrants are from Latin America
- Economic recession causes extra tensions with immigrants
- People fear they will take their jobs
- Violent backlash leads to more awareness & support for immigrants
33
Cesar Chavez
- Worked with the United Farmers Organization to fight for immigrant rights
- Collective Bargaining : immigrants can unionize and argue for better wages
- Creates bilingual education in public schools
34
American Indian Movement (AIM)
- Group of Native Americans
| - Protest the push for assimilation into American culture in the 60's and 70's
35
Self-Determination Act of 1975
- Gives Native Americans control over lands taken by unfair treaties
- Treaties date back to the Black Hawk War
36
Tribal Controlled Community College Assistance Act of 1978
- Gives Native Americans more access to education (on & off reservations)
- Incorporates Native American culture into schools
- Leads to increase in Native American businesses & casinos
