Crisis Of Political Leadership 1973-80 Flashcards
What significant political event occurred in the USA in 1974?
President Nixon resigned
This was the only time in American history that a sitting president resigned.
What was the term used to describe the economic conditions in the USA from 1973 to 1980?
Stagflation
Stagflation refers to a period of rising inflation and rising unemployment.
What were the two crises that affected the US economy during the 1970s?
Two oil crises
The first oil crisis in 1973 saw oil prices quadruple, and the second in 1979 saw them double again.
Which Supreme Court decision in 1973 extended women’s rights in the USA?
Roe v Wade
This decision legalized abortion in the United States.
What major political change occurred in Iran in 1979?
The Shah of Iran was overthrown
He was replaced by a radical Islamist government.
What was the impact of the Vietnam War on US foreign policy by 1975?
Communist forces took control of South Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos
This marked a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape of Southeast Asia.
What social movement was inspired by black American radicals in the 1970s?
The American Indian movement
This movement sought to address issues faced by Native Americans.
How did popular culture change in the USA during the years 1973 to 1980?
Reflected changes in civil rights and personal freedom
This was evident in cinema, television, popular music, and sports.
What was the overall atmosphere in the USA during the 1970s?
An age of crisis
This period followed the age of affluence in the 1950s and the age of protest in the 1960s.
Who became president in 1976 after defeating Ford?
Jimmy Carter
Carter’s presidency began in a time of political and economic uncertainty.
Fill in the blank: The period 1973 to 1980 saw the US involved in a crisis of _______.
political leadership
True or False: The 1970s in the USA were characterized by economic growth and stability.
False
The decade was marked by stagnation and economic challenges.
What event marked a significant political crisis in the USA during 1973 to 1974?
The Watergate scandal marked a significant political crisis in the USA during 1973 to 1974.
What was the outcome of the 1972 presidential election for Nixon?
Nixon won the 1972 presidential election by one of the biggest margins in US history, receiving 47.1 million votes against 29 million for McGovern.
What led to Nixon’s resignation as president?
Nixon was forced to resign due to the Watergate scandal and the threat of impeachment by Congress.
What was the Watergate scandal initially discovered as?
The Watergate scandal was initially discovered as a burglary at the presidential campaign headquarters in the Watergate building.
Who were implicated in the Watergate scandal besides the burglars?
Nixon’s senior advisers, John Ehrlichman and Robert Haldeman, were also implicated in the Watergate scandal.
What happened to Vice President Spiro Agnew during the Watergate crisis?
Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned on charges of tax evasion not directly linked to the Watergate scandal.
What legislation limited presidential military powers following Nixon’s actions?
The War Powers Act of 1973 limited the power of the US president to use military force abroad.
What did the Hughes-Ryan Amendment require from the president?
The Hughes-Ryan Amendment required the president to report to Congress on all undercover operations by intelligence agencies.
What act was passed in 1978 to enhance government ethics?
The Ethics in Government Act was passed in 1978, requiring senior government officials to disclose their finances.
What is the value of Source 1 for an enquiry into the Watergate scandal?
Source 1 provides insight into Nixon’s perspective during his resignation in 1974, reflecting on his time in office and the challenges faced.
It is Nixon’s resignation speech, which can help understand the historical context of his resignation.
What significant actions did Nixon take during his presidency?
Nixon was responsible for the US withdrawal from the Vietnam War and restoring diplomatic relations with communist China, as well as improving relations with the Soviet Union.
What led to Nixon’s resignation?
Nixon resigned due to the Watergate scandal, which involved accusations of underhand tactics against political opponents and obstructing investigations.
When did Nixon resign?
Nixon resigned in August 1974.
What was unique about Gerald Ford’s presidency?
Gerald Ford became president without winning an election, making him the only person in American history to do so.
What challenges did Ford face during his presidency?
Ford faced issues such as the fall of South Vietnam, inflation, unemployment, and the need to restore the reputation of the presidency.
How did Jimmy Carter’s leadership style differ from Nixon’s?
Carter was seen as more approachable and casual, often engaging with ordinary Americans, contrasting Nixon’s more devious reputation.
What was the voter turnout trend following the Watergate scandal?
There was a significant decline in voter turnout, with a drop from 1980 to 53 percent, and a low of less than 38 percent in subsequent elections.
What challenges did Carter face during his presidency?
Carter faced difficulties such as the Iran Hostage Crisis, economic stagflation, and a lack of political support.
What approach did Carter take during his presidency?
Carter adopted a more open and unpretentious approach, attending town council meetings and engaging with ordinary citizens.
What was the voter turnout trend in the USA following the Watergate scandal?
Voter turnout declined significantly, falling from at least 60 percent in the 1950s and 1960s to 54 percent in 1976 and 53 percent in 1980.
How did the voting age change in 1969?
The Constitution was amended to lower the voting age from 21 years to 18 years.
What was the turnout rate for congressional elections in low-income areas of New York City?
In low-income areas like South Bronx and Bedford-Stuyvesant, the turnout rate was 21.8 percent and 18.8 percent respectively.
What was a significant challenge Carter faced during his presidency?
Carter faced economic problems, including stagflation, high inflation, and rising unemployment.
What was the impact of the Yom Kippur War on the US economy?
Global oil prices rose fourfold, significantly affecting the US economy as it was the world’s greatest consumer of oil.
How did Carter’s lack of experience affect his presidency?
Carter’s lack of experience became a liability as he struggled to work with Congress and adopted an aloof style.
What was the public perception of Carter as a presidential candidate?
Carter was seen as an outsider, not corrupted by federal politics, which was one of his biggest assets.
How did disillusionment with Ford manifest in the 1976 election?
Ford barely won his party’s nomination and only narrowly defeated Ronald Reagan for the presidency.
What was the political climate in the USA during Carter’s presidency?
There was growing disillusionment with national politicians and a general atmosphere of distrust following the Watergate scandal.
What was Carter’s goal for the economy in 1977?
Carter hoped to stimulate domestic demand to encourage economic recovery.
What happened to unemployment during Carter’s first year?
Unemployment fell from eight percent to seven percent in 1977.
What was the unemployment rate by the end of 1978?
Unemployment rose to ten percent by the end of 1978.
What was the inflation rate by 1980?
Inflation reached 13 percent by 1980.
What were interest rates at during Carter’s presidency?
Interest rates rose to a staggering 20 percent.
What was regarded as the most important domestic issue during Carter’s presidency?
The economy was regarded as the most important domestic issue.
What was the public’s perception of Carter’s leadership?
Carter’s failure to improve the economy led to disillusionment with national politicians.
What did Carter emphasize in his State of the Union address on January 19, 1978?
Carter emphasized the need to increase production and cut down on waste.
What were the four principles of Carter’s economic policy?
- The economy must expand to produce new jobs and better income.
- Private business must lead the expansion.
- Lower the rate of inflation and keep it down.
- Contribute to the strength of the world economy.
What event in January 1979 affected Carter’s popularity?
The Shah of Iran was overthrown in a revolution, replaced by an anti-American regime.
What happened on November 4, 1979?
A mob surrounded the US Embassy in Tehran and took 66 Americans hostage.
What was the outcome of the military mission authorized by Carter in April 1980?
The mission ended in disaster with US military planes and helicopters crashing.
When did the hostage crisis end?
The crisis ended after Carter left office, once Reagan became president in January 1981.
What significant event occurred at the end of 1979 that impacted Carter’s presidency?
The USSR invaded and occupied Afghanistan on December 27, 1979.
What was Carter’s controversial response to the USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan?
Carter announced a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games.
Who won the 1980 presidential election?
Ronald Reagan won comfortably against Carter.
What was the vote count in the 1980 presidential election?
Reagan received nearly 44 million votes, while Carter received 35.5 million.
How many states did Carter win in the 1980 election?
Carter won only four states: Georgia, Minnesota, West Virginia, and Hawaii.
What was the economic recovery rate during Carter’s presidency?
Carter’s economic recovery initially rose to 13 percent but then increased to a staggering 20 percent.
What was a significant foreign policy issue during Carter’s presidency?
The Iranian hostage crisis, where a mob took Americans hostage on 4 November 1979.
What was one of Carter’s major achievements in foreign policy?
Carter helped negotiate peace between Israel and Egypt and transferred control of the Panama Canal to Panama.
What environmental legislation was passed during the Nixon administration?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) were established in 1970.
What major environmental disaster occurred in 1978?
The Love Canal incident, where residents suffered from pollution-related health issues, leading to a Senate inquiry and a $30 million cleanup.
What happened at Three Mile Island in March 1979?
The most serious nuclear accident in American history occurred, causing 10,000 people to flee their homes.
What was the outcome of the Tellico Dam controversy?
Environmentalists opposed the dam due to its threat to wildlife, but it was ultimately built after Congress intervened.
What was the Alaska Land Law of 1980?
It doubled the acreage of land set aside for national parks and wildlife refuges.
What is an NGO?
An NGO stands for non-governmental organization, such as the Red Cross or other private aid agencies.
Who was Ralph Nader?
Ralph Nader was a founder of Public Citizen, an NGO that campaigned on issues like product safety and environmental protection.
What was the impact of Rachel Carson’s book ‘Silent Spring’?
It raised national awareness about environmental issues and pollution.
