Nixon Domestic Policy

Question 1

What was the economic situation Nixon inherited?

Answer 1

Inherited stagflation (a mix of stagnation + inflation) due to Vietnam War spending and rising oil prices.

Question 2

How did Nixon attempt to improve the economy?

Answer 2

• Attempted to reduce federal government involvement by shifting responsibilities to states (New Federalism).
• Introduced revenue sharing (giving federal funds to states to spend as they chose).
• Imposed wage and price controls in 1971 to curb inflation.
• Oversaw the end of the Bretton Woods system, allowing the dollar to float, which led to devaluation.

Question 7

What social policy did Nixon make?

Answer 7

Despite Republican conservatism, Nixon expanded federal programs:
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (1970) & Clean Air Act (1970) in response to growing environmental concerns.
- Expanded Medicare, Medicaid, and food stamp programs.
- Increased funding for affirmative action (Philadelphia Plan, 1969).
- Expanded Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- Opposed busing (forced integration in schools) but did not reverse existing civil rights legislation.
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (1972) provided federal aid to elderly, blind, and disabled Americans.

Question 7

What did Nixon do for Law and Order?

Answer 7

• Appointed conservative Supreme Court justices (e.g., Warren Burger as Chief Justice).
  -Expanded FBI & CIA surveillance of anti-war activists and civil rights groups (COINTELPRO).
• Advocated tough policies against crime and drug use

Question 8

Did Nixon contradict himself concerning social policy?

Answer 8

Yes, his policies contradicted his conservative image, showing a pragmatic approach to governance.
But he did oppose busing to desegregate schools and criticized welfare programs, appealing to his “Silent Majority” base.