The 1970s - Nixon, Watergate, Ford, and Carter Flashcards
What does ‘Stagflation’ mean?
Stagflation refers to the horrible economy in the 1970s. It is a combination of the words “Stagnant” and “Inflation”. Stagflation of the 1970s saw HIGH inflation, HIGH unemployment, and little economic growth.
What were the Camp David Accords?
The Camp David Accords were an agreement between Israel and Egypt, made possible largely by the guidance of President Jimmy Carter. When you see “Camp David Accords” you should think “PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST.”
This country’s revolution eventually led to the hostage crisis that led to the downfall of Carter’s popularity and presidency.
Iran. Iran experienced a revolution in 1979, followed by an incident where Iranian students stormed the US Embassy in Iran and took several dozen Americans as hostages, holding them for 444 days.
This President took over after Nixon’s resignation due to the Watergate scandal. He pardoned Richard Nixon one month after taking office.
President Gerald R. Ford
Presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter all dealt with this negative economic trend in the 1970s.
Inflation
What was the background, Constitutional issue, and ruling in the case of United States vs. Nixon (1974)?
During the Watergate scandal, it was discovered that Nixon secretly taped many meetings and phone calls as President. The Congress demanded Nixon turn over his tapes as part of the Watergate investigation. Nixon refused. The issue is whether the President, using “Executive Privilege” could refuse to hand over the tapes as requested by the Justice Department. The Supreme Court said Nixon MUST HAND OVER the tapes. He did.
This was President Ford’s slogan to show the American people he was taking action on inflation.
WIN = Whip Inflation Now
The name of Nixon’s overall foreign policy approach toward the Soviet Union. It translates into a “cooling off” in the tense relationship between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
Detente
The guiding principle of Carter’s foreign policy. He said America’s relationship with other countries would be determined by how other countries handled this principle in dealing with its own people.
Human Rights
SALT I and SALT II refer to (stand for) what?
SALT = Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (which led to Treaties). This refers to efforts by the US and Soviet Union to REDUCE nuclear arms (weapons of mass destruction) during the later years of the Cold War.
President Nixon turned out to be a friend to the Environmental Movement after the publication of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. What did Nixon do for the Environmental movement?
Nixon signed into law a bill that created the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). He also signed laws called the Clean Air Act (1970), the Clean Water Act (1973) and the Endangered Species Act (1973).
What was the background, Constitutional issue, and ruling in the case of New York Times vs. United States (1971)?
The New York Times newspaper received top secret classified documents called the Pentagon Papers and wanted to publish them. Nixon’s administration tried to stop the newspaper from publishing the reports which made the government look bad. The NY Times sued, arguing their freedom of the press was being violated. The court sided with the New York Times, which then printed the stories, reducing Americans’ support for the Vietnam War and their trust in the government.
President Richard Nixon made famous visits to these two countries, which helped change the nature of the Cold War.
First, Nixon visited CHINA, followed by a visit to the SOVIET UNION.
In response to the miserable experience of the USA in Vietnam, Congress passed this law. The law requires the President to notify Congress of any use of American military troops and to seek permission from Congress to use force if the operation lasts more than 90 days.
War Powers Act
This tragedy shocked the nation. On a college campus in Ohio, National Guardsmen opened fire on protesting students, killing four and wounding several others.
Kent State Tragedy (1970)
