USA Unit 1(0.4) Flashcards
What problems did the US face (1968-72) that led to a decline in confidence?
- The Vietnam war, which the USA was clearly not winning.
-Divisions at home between racial groups, class and age.
-economic problems; rising inflation, and growing unemployment.
Who was held responsible for the initial decline in confidence? What were their thoughts on his successor Nixon? Who was left in control of Congress when Nixon was elected?
-President Johnson.
-Although Nixon won a landslide victory in 1972 he was not popular.
-Unfortunately for Nixon Democrats took control of Congress in the 1972 election.
What scandal dominated Nixon’s second term? As investigations developed what was revealed about Nixon?
What did Nixon do in 1974 to avoid an impeachment trial?
-The Watergate Scandal.(A break into Democrat headquarters to discover Democrat plans.
-Following further investigation it became clear that Nixon had lied about his role in the break in and had tried to obstruct justice.
-1974 post scandal Nixon retired.
What did Ford do that was unpopular once in power?
Did Ford help restore stability after Watergate?
-He pardoned ex-president Nixon.
-Yes. 1976 he declared ‘we’ve healed America.’
Who stood against Ford in the 1976 election?
Was either Candidate popular? What did public polls find?
What was the result of the election?
-President Carter.
-No. Polls during the election discovered 75% of Americans felt both Carter and Ford lacked president quality.
-The result was the lowest presidential election turnout since 1948. Carter won by 49.9% only 2 more than Ford.
Did Carter re-establish faith in the presidency?
NO. In the late 1970s, the USA seemed to be a nation in crisis.
What problems did Carter face as president?
-The economy continued to suffer from inflation (mostly due to rising oil prices and government over spending), a balance of trade deficit and unemployment.
-The USSR seemed to be winning the Cold War.
-Carter did not handle the 1979 Iran hostage crisis effectively.
-Carter’s administration was involved in a number of scandals, one involving his brother Billy who admitted receiving a ‘loan’ from the Libyan government.
What did many think about Carter by the 1980 election? Who was his opponent and what did he ask the US public in a Tv debate with Carter?
-Who won the election of 1980?
-How many people voted in the election? What did it highlight?
-He had a huge lack of leadership.
-Reagan was the presidential opponent of Carter. He asked the audience whether they felt anything was better in the last 4 years of Carter’s presidency.
-Reagan won the election convincingly with 51% of the vote.
-Only 53%, showing disillusionment with politics in general.
