Topic 3 - social + political change 1973-80 Flashcards
Nixon and the watergate scandal 1972
1.Describe the events
2.what was watergate a symbol of
3.what were the consequences
1.Nixon sent men into Democratic National Comittee eadquarters at Watergate complex
Reveleaded that Nixon administration had attempted to cover up its involvement in the break in by destroying evidence
2.SYMBOL OF presidential abuse of power
3.Nixon resigned - facing criminal prosecution at federal level BUT presidential pardon by Ford - ATMOSPHERE OF distrust worsened
Ford (74-77)
describe his presidency
president by default
appointed by nixon after currption
pardoned nixon
president first visit to Japan (foreign)
whip inflation now
Carter (77-81)
describe his presidency
Camp david accords - Israel + egypt stop fighting
Panama canal treaty (keep open to US)
Hostages - Iran - petrol crisis - Carter solved then lost election
Peace talks with USSR
1980 lowest approval rating ever
what was the approval rating in 1972 and 1976 for republicans
95%
45%
what happened to the public dissatisfaction in the government between 1969-79
doubled
describe enviromentalism under carter
what was the catalyst for enviromentalism
describe the superfund act
Love canal (chemicals dumped 1940+50’s covered with clay then resurfaced 1970’s Carter declared state of emergency and all families relocated by 1981) - USED LOVE CANAL TO PASS 1980 SUPERFUND ACT
1980 superfund act - hold chemical waste dumper accountable
describe Carter + tellico dam controvery
fish species endangered, dam was trying to be built but enviromentalists took the builders to court and the supreme court ruled in the enviromentalists favour
BUT in 1980 carter passed 1980 public works approriations bill which allowed for the completion of the dam
descirbe The effects of inflation
unemployment rise due to: other countries producing goods cheaper, increasing mechanisation
minimum wage failed to keep up with rising prices
mothers also had to work (38% 1960, 52% 1980)
poverty and homelessness
food stamp statistics
18.5 million in 1976 eligible for food stamp programme VS
20 million in 1980
Black family incomes hard hit especially, black workers in mainly in unskilled occupations
reasons for homelessness
Mid 1970’s - number of mental illness institutions decreased due to campaigns for freedom + loss of funding - had to let go of residents
Urban renewal policies - closed hotels for homelessness
Rising unemployment- homlessnesss
Homeless women due to lack of support from partners
Drug use increase - crack cocaine
describe the energy crisis
1. what caused it
2. what caused another oil crisis in 1979
- 1973 - Arabs cuts US oil in Iran vs Egypt conflict (used the oil weapon)
- smaller cars, non american, japanese toyota this lead to rust belt
- 1973 - Arabs cuts US oil in Iran vs Egypt conflict (used the oil weapon)
- iranaian revolution cut oil to US
describe the foreign competition impact of car industry
jobs in US car industry fell by 40%
response of the gov (Ford) to energy crisis
asked people to cut mileage
cut federal spending
Tax cut
Passed 1975 omnibus housing act which aided USA out of the recession
the 1975 omnbibus housing act slowly raised domestic oil prices to encourage less spending
Carter + energy crisis response
1977 ask the public to what
what else did he do
who was fraustrated at carter
1977 asked people to put on heating below a certain temp and AC on at a certain temp
decrease gov expenditure
blue collar workers were fraustrated at carter for his focus on inflation rather than unemployment
why did carters legislation in response to energy crisis face opposition in congress
- states where automobiles produced opposed
- voters did not want to change lifestyles to pay more tax during time of inflation
