Chapter 17- the presidential election of 1968 and the reasons for Nixons victory Flashcards
why was Nixon not expected to win the 1968 election?
Nixon lost in 1960 to Kennedy, he also lost the 1962 election in California to Pat Brown, that was widely accepted as the end of his career. Nixon even said himself that “this is my last press conference” after his defeat.
how did this begin to change?
Nixon campaigned on the 1964 campaign with Barry Goldwater, he left that campaign with much credit. Nixon was able to cultivate key relationships with key Republicans. Nixon was able to effectively campaign against Johnson’s Vietnam campaign, he did a series of television interview programmes. Nixon was able to win the nomination on the first ballot of the RNC in Miami, Billy Graham and Strom Thurmond were key figures that helped Nixon be seen as the suitable figure.
who was billy graham?
he was a christian evangelist preacher, and he acted as spiritual adivisor to Johnson, Nixon and Eisenhower. He was outspoken on issues of both the CRM and FP.
what was the significance of the division with the Democrat party?
Vietnam war had led to division of the Democrat Party, there was also criticism of his handling of the CRM by democrats in the south.
America was also in the midst of a crisis as Johnson dropped out of the race, which led to B. Kennedy to campaign, yet he was shot dead on 6th June 1968
The 1968 DNC was fuelled by unrest as the events took place, this was fuelled by the 23,000 police presence.
what took place at the 1968 DNC?
There were 10,000 mostly young protesters, including anti-war protesters. This include the Yippees, a group that had the 1968 Yippee Manifesto, which included quotes such as “take a burning draft card to Spiro Agnew”. The scenes of the riot that took place, was filmed by the media- the demonstrators noted that “the whole world is watching”. NBC switched between Humphrey celebrating his nomination and the protests. Daley made sure that 8 of the leaders were charged with conspiracy, even as he boasted that he had 130,000 letters of support. This propelled Nixons PR and George Wallace chose to stand as an independent in the South.
how did Nixon ensure that the public thought favourably of him?
Nixon made an effort puplicly to talk about peace, though he also knew that in private that failed peace talks would mean that he could further tarnish Humphrey. Nixon’s team made sure that the SV government didn’t engage in any talks that talked of peace when Nixon took office.
what was the plot against Johnson?
in late 1967 a key delegate at the DNC began to campaign on the grounds of “dump johnson”, Senator Eugene was able to get McCarthy of Minnesota to campaign on an anti-war basis, he was able to win 41% of the New Hampshire primary.
what was the result of the 1968 election?
There was 1.1 % between Nixon and Humphrey, Wallace a key IND was also able to win 13.7% of the PV. 2.5 million less people voted for people in 1968 than in 1960, by Wallace gaining nearly 10 million votes he was able to demonstrate how many people in the south were against the main D party. The Democrats retained control of both the house and the senate, Billy Graham remained a key figure on Johnsons last and Nixon’s first day.
what are key quotes from Nixon’s Silent Majority Speech?
3rd November 1969- “silent majority of my fellow Americans.. I ask for your support”.
what were the key issues that were affecting Nixon?
The biggest problem that Nixon had to face was Vietnam and the problems that was associated with it- Nixon received a letter from 32 soldiers who fought in Vietnam in 26th November 1969- saying that they “want our country to be strong”, they also went against Nixon’s language that they want to “humiliate America”.
Nixon inherited an economy that was difficult to manage, for example inflation was at 4.7%, Nixon aimed to end the war and to do this without increasing inflation- that didn’t happen.
what were the key policy areas of Nixon?
Nixon sought to introduce New Federalism, one of Nixon’s biggest successes was the fact the State and Local Assistance act of 1972 provided $4 billion in federal funds to states- though this measure was difficult to achieve as Nixon didn’t have congress so eroding the power of the federal government was difficult. one of Nixon’s biggest policy areas was the environment, this was emphasised in the 1962 book silent spring that highlighted how much this policy was needed. There was the introduction of the EPA and the Clean Air Act. Nixon campaigned on the need to change the legislation surrounding law and order, there was the creation of the DEA in 1973, which was designed to deal with the 15% of Vietnam veterans that returned with an addiction to heroine.
The New Federalism was significant as Nixon was governing in a different way, the key legislative areas were law and order, and environmentalism.
who were the key personalities of Nixons administration?
NSC advisor Kissinger was one of the few that was able to get close to the president, he created a foreign policy that was built on the ideas of realpolitik.
Spiro Agnew and Gerald Ford (his VP’S)
Nixon made key appointments to the SC including Warren Burger as Chief Justice in 1969- he was able to lead a more conservative court.
Elvis had key celebrity relations with figures such as Elvis and Sammy David Jr.
There was also the “enemies list” of key figures that didn’t like Nixon- these included figures such as key democrats.
what is the significance of Nixon’s book the six crises?
This was written in 1962, this was used as a way for him to shape his ideas. He would side with the views of Americans when he would note that the “method of meeting Vietnam” was wrong. He is also fervently attacking administrations and their failures, he would attack the Johnson administration.
America is aware of what the voters in America are expecting from him, Nixon is also acting in a “textbook” for a politician, criticisms of the new frontier etc..
what were the strengths and weaknesses of Nixon’s and Humphrey’s campaign?
Nixon strengths- 6 crises was able to understand what the electorate wanted.
Weaknesses- the phone call with Johnson, was not strategic. Nixon required the presidential nomination in February.
Humphreys strengths- distanced himself from the policy of Johnson
weaknesses- 1968 DNC, was unable to unify the party, received the nomination in August.
what is a key excerpt from Nixon’s inaugural address?
key aim to unify and create order, there is a conservative theme, “the greatest honour that history can bestow is the title of peacemaker”, there is emphasis placed on Nixon and his dislike for the Vietnam war
