Watergate history notes: Flashcards
what’s the “Silent majority?”
Americans who were anxious and fearful of radical change. People who Nixon thought who supported him, people who didn’t protest
what was Southern strategy (of the COP)?
people switching from democrat to republican, especially the southern states.
What was the economy like?
BAD BAD BAD. We were losing money because of the Vietnam war, we were also spending more money than we were making, (increase in unemployment
What is stagflation?
a period of high inflation, stagnant economic growth, and high unemployment occurring simultaneously
what is Nixon’s foreign policy?
fused on supremacy of American democratic capitalism, he ended the race for building weapons w/Russia and china
What was the pink pong diplomacy? in April, 1971?
American ping pong team invited to play in China (which was super weird) –> established the warming trend.
what was Nixon’s visit to USSR? and what (treaty) did they agree on doing.
Nixon met with the Soviet union leader. This led to the Salt treaty: they agreed on a year limiting the number of missiles that each country could have.
what was/were Nixon’s 3 foreign policy?
- Got U.S. out of the Vietnam war
- Re-opens U.S. relations with china
- arms control with the Soviet union “detente” (means: relaxing of tensions)
Who won the election of 1972?
Nixon (he gets re-elected), also: this was the first election where 18 year old’s could vote for president.
What was the 26th amendment?
This changed who could vote based on age, 18 year old’s could now vote.
What and when was the Watergate scandal?
The scandal happened in a hotel complex: 5 men broke into the hotel adding pieces of tape with microphones so they could hear what the Democrats were planning. This was June 17, 1952
Did Nixon dénie any involvement in the Watergate break in or the cover up?
Yes, because Nixon didn’t want to get into trouble, he was forced to give up the tapes by the courts.
when and why did Nixon resign?
Richard Nixon resigned being president on August 9, 1974. He was the FIRST and ONLY president who’s ever done this. He resigned because he was paranoid and because of the scandal.
what were some effects of the Watergate scandal?
- First vice president to resign
- Increased public distrust
- Reaffirmed the role of press, in holding public officials accommodated
who were the two presidents in the 70s?
Ford and Carter
what was Ford pardoning Nixon and when did it happen?
On September 8, 1974, Ford grants Nixon a “full, free, absolute” pardon. It was considered one of the most controversial political acts in history.
Was the news media hard on Ford?
yes, they were critical of what he did.
What was the Fall of Saigon and when did it happen?
In April of 1975,marked the end of the Vietnam War, Vietnam falls to communism
What is embargo?
it was a ban on imports, and you can’t buy from that country.
What was the Helsinki accords?
Ford signed a formal agreement to recognize the existing cold war boundaries in Europe, people viewed it as surrendering to communism.
Who was the 1976 election between? who won? and why?
Its was between Jimmy Carter(democrat), and Ford(republican), Carter won - people were done with Ford.
Who became the 39th president? what he a good president?
Carter became the 39th president, he was nice, but not a good president. This led to the Crisis of confidence.
What was the crisis of confidence?
Carter faced problems
What was the energy crisis?
Sought to regulate “gas guzzler” cars with taxes, and provided tax credits for energy efficiency
