Decline in Confidence in the Government 1968-1980 Flashcards
Give a statistic to show declining trust in the Presidency?
In 1960 70% of Americans said that they trusted the Government. By 1974 just 40% of Americans said that they did.
How did the Media Contribute to the Decline in Confidence?
Although under Roosevelt the media had very much supported the President under Truman this began to drift. From 1968 onwards the media began to see their role as uncovering government deception. Such as Watergate.
How did Scandals contribute to a decline in confidence?
People believed that they couldn’t trust the Government. The Watergate scandal showed how Nixon was engaging in surveillance of his political opponents.
How did the Tapes uncovered in the White House make Watergate worse for Nixon?
They revealed that he was suspicious of absolutely everyone and in turn was very much happy to lie to the American People.
How did the Mishandling of events contribute to the decline in confidence?
The government bore the brunt of the blame for Vietnam. Due to Roosevelt the president was expected to take a much more active role in policy and in turn they often began more bogged down in them. For example My Lai and the conduct of the armed forces.
How did the White House Administration contribute to the decline in confidence?
Roosevelt had significantly enlarged the White House Staff and in turn increased the workload of the presidency. In turn many staff began to act without presidential approval and took bribes.
What cost impacts did the large white house administration have?
Costs rose as they had to maintain such a large work force in turn meaning that they had to rely on larger donors such as Big Business and Unions which led to allegations of influence peddling.
How did Social factors contribute to the decline in confidence?
