AN AGE OF LIMITSAN AGE OF LIMITS

Chapter 32Chapter 32

The Nixon The Nixon AdministrationAdministration

SECTION 1SECTION 1

Do NowDo Now

• Write down everything you already Write down everything you already know about Nixon’s Presidency (i.e., know about Nixon’s Presidency (i.e., when was he President, what when was he President, what significant events occurred during his significant events occurred during his Presidency, etc.)Presidency, etc.)

President Richard M. Nixon wanted President Richard M. Nixon wanted to turn the U.S. in a more to turn the U.S. in a more

conservative direction.conservative direction.

He tried to decrease the power of the federal He tried to decrease the power of the federal government and give more power to the Statesgovernment and give more power to the States

Nixon’s plan was called Nixon’s plan was called New New FederalismFederalism..

It’s goal was to give federal It’s goal was to give federal power to the states.power to the states.

New FederalismNew Federalism► Nixon expand government spending in some Nixon expand government spending in some

areas, including social security, Medicare, areas, including social security, Medicare, Medicaid, and food stamp paymentsMedicaid, and food stamp payments

► However, Nixon withheld federal funds for However, Nixon withheld federal funds for Housing and Urban Development, and the Housing and Urban Development, and the Jobs Corps.Jobs Corps.

► Federal Courts eventually ordered Nixon to Federal Courts eventually ordered Nixon to release the funds, and ruled federal release the funds, and ruled federal spending should be controlled by Congressspending should be controlled by Congress

Law and Order PolicyLaw and Order Policy► Nixon deescalated America’s involvement in Vietnam Nixon deescalated America’s involvement in Vietnam

and oversaw peace negotiations with North Vietnam.and oversaw peace negotiations with North Vietnam.► Promised his ‘silent majority’- those middle class Promised his ‘silent majority’- those middle class

Americans who wanted order restored to a country beset Americans who wanted order restored to a country beset by urban riots and antiwar demonstrations- that law and by urban riots and antiwar demonstrations- that law and order would be restoredorder would be restored He used the CIA & the IRS to harass people. He He used the CIA & the IRS to harass people. He

created an “enemies list” & had the CIA & IRS target created an “enemies list” & had the CIA & IRS target people on this list. The list included liberals & other people on this list. The list included liberals & other opponents of his policies.opponents of his policies.

Nixon’s main foreign policy adviser Nixon’s main foreign policy adviser was was Henry KissingerHenry Kissinger. Kissinger . Kissinger

based his foreign policy views on a based his foreign policy views on a philosophy known as philosophy known as realpolitikrealpolitik..

‘‘political realism’- Foreign policy should political realism’- Foreign policy should be based solely on consideration of be based solely on consideration of

power, not ideals or moral principles. If power, not ideals or moral principles. If a country was weak it was often more a country was weak it was often more practical to ignore that country, even if practical to ignore that country, even if

it was communistit was communist

Realpolitik was a change from the policy Realpolitik was a change from the policy of containment. Nixon & Kissinger of containment. Nixon & Kissinger

changed U.S. relations with Communist changed U.S. relations with Communist countries.countries.

They called their policy They called their policy détentedétente. This policy was . This policy was aimed at easing Cold War aimed at easing Cold War

tensions.tensions.

DiscussionDiscussion

►Why the need for détente?Why the need for détente?

In 1972, Nixon visited Communist In 1972, Nixon visited Communist

ChinaChina..

Before this, the U.S. had Before this, the U.S. had refused to recognize the refused to recognize the Communist government.Communist government.

3 months later, Nixon went to the Soviet Union. 3 months later, Nixon went to the Soviet Union. Nixon & the Soviet Union signed the Nixon & the Soviet Union signed the SALT I SALT I

Treaty.Treaty.

This 5 year agreement limited This 5 year agreement limited nuclear weapons. Nixon’s nuclear weapons. Nixon’s

successes in foreign affairs helped successes in foreign affairs helped him win reelection.him win reelection.

DO NOWDO NOW

• What is a scandal? Brainstorm two What is a scandal? Brainstorm two scandals that we have studied or that scandals that we have studied or that you have heard of.you have heard of.

WatergateWatergate: : Nixon’s DownfallNixon’s Downfall

Section 2Section 2

DiscussionDiscussion

►What do you know about the What do you know about the Watergate scandal?Watergate scandal?

In 1974, the House Judiciary In 1974, the House Judiciary Committee voted to recommend the Committee voted to recommend the impeachmentimpeachment of President Richard of President Richard

Nixon.Nixon.

The cause was the Watergate The cause was the Watergate scandal which was an attempt to scandal which was an attempt to

cover up a burglary of the cover up a burglary of the Democratic National Committee Democratic National Committee

headquarters.headquarters.

The Watergate ScandalThe Watergate Scandal

Prior to the 1972 Presidential Prior to the 1972 Presidential election, burglars were arrested election, burglars were arrested within the Democratic within the Democratic

headquarters headquarters at the Watergate Office Complex in at the Watergate Office Complex in Washington D.C.Washington D.C.

Washington Post reporters Bob Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein Woodward and Carl Bernstein investigate the break in and find investigate the break in and find that the burglars were paid by that the burglars were paid by CREEP (Committee to Re-Elect the CREEP (Committee to Re-Elect the President). With this information, President). With this information, Congress opens an investigation to Congress opens an investigation to find who knew about the plot.find who knew about the plot.

Woodward and Bernstein

By the time Nixon became president, the By the time Nixon became president, the executive branch had become powerful. executive branch had become powerful. He confided in a small group of very loyal He confided in a small group of very loyal

advisers.advisers.

These advisers included These advisers included H.R. HaldemanH.R. Haldeman, , chief of staff; chief of staff; John EhrlichmanJohn Ehrlichman, chief , chief

domestic adviser; & domestic adviser; & John MitchellJohn Mitchell, the , the attorney general.attorney general.

H.R. HaldemanH.R. Haldeman John Ehrlichman

John Mitchell

““All the President’s Men” - Key PlayersAll the President’s Men” - Key Players

H.R. HaldemanWhite House Chief of Staff

G. Gordon Liddy“Plumber”

Howard Hunt “Plumber”and Watergate organizer

James McCordWatergate Burglar

John Mitchell Directorof CREEP

Charles ColsonWhite House Lawyer

These men helped Nixon get These men helped Nixon get reelected. They also shared Nixon’s reelected. They also shared Nixon’s

desire for power.desire for power.

This would lead Nixon and his This would lead Nixon and his advisers to cover up their role advisers to cover up their role

in the Watergate burglary.in the Watergate burglary.

Nixon campaign aides were Nixon campaign aides were determined to win the 1972 election.determined to win the 1972 election.

They hired 5 men to raid They hired 5 men to raid Democratic party offices in Democratic party offices in the Watergate complex in the Watergate complex in

D.C. D.C.

The men were caught photographing The men were caught photographing files & placing wiretaps on phones.files & placing wiretaps on phones.

The press soon discovered The press soon discovered that the group’s leader, that the group’s leader,

James McCordJames McCord, was a former , was a former CIA agent.CIA agent.

ChapStick microphones used by E. Howard ChapStick microphones used by E. Howard

Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy during the burglary.Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy during the burglary.

McCord was also an official of a McCord was also an official of a group known as the group known as the Committee to Committee to

Reelect the President (CRP).Reelect the President (CRP).

John MitchellJohn Mitchell, who had been , who had been attorney general, was the attorney general, was the

CRP’s director.CRP’s director.

Nixon & his staff tried to hide Nixon & his staff tried to hide

the link to the White House.the link to the White House.

Workers shredded evidence. Workers shredded evidence. Nixon & his staff asked the CIA to Nixon & his staff asked the CIA to

urge the FBI to stop its urge the FBI to stop its investigations into the burglary.investigations into the burglary.

The Watergate burglary wasn’t a big The Watergate burglary wasn’t a big issue in the 1972 election. Only 2 issue in the 1972 election. Only 2

reporters kept on the story.reporters kept on the story.

In a series of articles, the reporters In a series of articles, the reporters found information that linked members found information that linked members of the administration to the burglary. of the administration to the burglary.

The White House denied any The White House denied any connections.connections.

After Nixon’s reelection, the cover-up After Nixon’s reelection, the cover-up began to unravel. In Jan. ’73, the began to unravel. In Jan. ’73, the

Watergate burglars, except McCord, Watergate burglars, except McCord, changed their pleas from innocent to changed their pleas from innocent to guilty. (He was found guilty by a jury)guilty. (He was found guilty by a jury)

The trial’s presiding judge, The trial’s presiding judge, JudgeJudge John SiricaJohn Sirica, believed , believed that the burglars did not act that the burglars did not act

alone. alone.

Then in March 1973, McCord sent a Then in March 1973, McCord sent a letter to Sirica, stating that he had letter to Sirica, stating that he had

lied under oath.lied under oath.

He also stated that the White He also stated that the White House was involved in the House was involved in the

cover-up.cover-up.

Soon the public interest in the Soon the public interest in the Watergate burglary increased. In Watergate burglary increased. In April ’73, Three top Nixon aides April ’73, Three top Nixon aides

resigned.resigned.

The President then went on The President then went on television & denied any cover-television & denied any cover-

up.up.

Nixon announced that he was Nixon announced that he was appointing appointing Elliot RichardsonElliot Richardson as the as the

new attorney general.new attorney general.

He authorized Richardson to He authorized Richardson to appoint a appoint a special prosecutorspecial prosecutor

to investigate Watergate.to investigate Watergate.

In May 1973, the Senate began its In May 1973, the Senate began its own investigation of Watergate. The own investigation of Watergate. The Senate hearings were televised live.Senate hearings were televised live.

In the hearings, one of In the hearings, one of Nixon’s aides said that Nixon Nixon’s aides said that Nixon

knew about the cover-up.knew about the cover-up.

Then it was reveled that White Then it was reveled that White House meetings had been tape-House meetings had been tape-

recorded.recorded.

The Senate committee demanded The Senate committee demanded the tapes. Nixon refused to the tapes. Nixon refused to

release them.release them.

An example of a Sony 800B recorder, as used in Nixon's office

A Uher 5000, similar to the one used by Nixon's secretary to erase part of one of the tapes.

Rosemary Woods demonstrating Rosemary Woods demonstrating how she may have erased tape how she may have erased tape

recordingsrecordings

Court battles over the tapes Court battles over the tapes lasted a year.lasted a year.

Archibald CoxArchibald Cox, the special prosecutor, , the special prosecutor, took the president to court in Oct. 1973 took the president to court in Oct. 1973

to get the tapes. Nixon refused & to get the tapes. Nixon refused & ordered Richardson to fire Cox.ordered Richardson to fire Cox.

In what became known as the In what became known as the SaturdaySaturday Night MassacreNight Massacre, ,

Richardson refused the order & Richardson refused the order & resigned.resigned.

The deputy attorney general also The deputy attorney general also refused & resigned. Solicitor General refused & resigned. Solicitor General Robert BorkRobert Bork finally fired Cox. But his finally fired Cox. But his

replacement, replacement, LeonLeon Jaworski Jaworski was was determined to get the tapes.determined to get the tapes.

Robert Bork

In March 1974, a grand jury charged 7 In March 1974, a grand jury charged 7 Nixon aides with Nixon aides with obstruction of justice & obstruction of justice &

perjuryperjury..

Nixon released more than 1,250 pages of Nixon released more than 1,250 pages of taped conversations. But he didn’t release taped conversations. But he didn’t release the conversations on some key dates. In the conversations on some key dates. In July ’74, the Supreme Court ordered the July ’74, the Supreme Court ordered the

White House to release the tapes.White House to release the tapes.

President Nixon giving a televised address explaining release of edited transcripts of the tapes on April 29, 1974

Richard M. Nixon press conference Richard M. Nixon press conference releasing the transcripts of the releasing the transcripts of the

White House tapes, April 29, 1974White House tapes, April 29, 1974

Three days later, a House committee Three days later, a House committee voted to impeach President Nixon.voted to impeach President Nixon.

If the full House of If the full House of Representatives approved, Nixon Representatives approved, Nixon would go to trial in the Senate. If would go to trial in the Senate. If found guilty there, he would be found guilty there, he would be

removed from office.removed from office.

When the tapes were finally When the tapes were finally released, they proved that Nixon had released, they proved that Nixon had

known of the cover-up.known of the cover-up.

On August 8, 1974, before the On August 8, 1974, before the impeachment could happen, impeachment could happen,

Nixon resigned.Nixon resigned.

Nixon's farewell to his cabinet and Nixon's farewell to his cabinet and members of the White House staff, members of the White House staff,

August 9, 1974August 9, 1974

Nixon leaving the White House after his Nixon leaving the White House after his

resignation, August 9, 1974resignation, August 9, 1974

WatergateWatergate produced distrust about produced distrust about the presidency.the presidency.

A poll taken in 1974 showed that 43% of A poll taken in 1974 showed that 43% of Americans had lost faith in the Americans had lost faith in the

presidency. In the years after Vietnam & presidency. In the years after Vietnam & Watergate, Americans developed a Watergate, Americans developed a

deep distrust of government.deep distrust of government.

Deep ThroatDeep ThroatWoodward and Bernstein’s Woodward and Bernstein’s

investigation of the investigation of the

Watergate Scandal was Watergate Scandal was

assisted by an undercover assisted by an undercover

source code named “Deep source code named “Deep

Throat.” In 2005, 20 years Throat.” In 2005, 20 years

after the Watergate scandal, after the Watergate scandal,

““Deep Throat” revealed Deep Throat” revealed

himself as Mark Felt, the himself as Mark Felt, the

former #2 man in the FBIformer #2 man in the FBI

Mark Felt with family

Gerald R. FordGerald R. Ford replaced Richard replaced Richard Nixon as president.Nixon as president.

Ford was likable & honest. Ford was likable & honest. But he lost public support But he lost public support when he when he pardonedpardoned Nixon. Nixon.

President Ford announcing his pardon of Richard Nixon from the Oval Office. September 8, 1974

As Betty Ford looks on, Gerald R. Ford is As Betty Ford looks on, Gerald R. Ford is sworn in as the 38th President of the sworn in as the 38th President of the United States by Chief Justice Warren United States by Chief Justice Warren

Burger on August 9, 1974.Burger on August 9, 1974.

Environmental Environmental ActivismActivism

Sec. 4Sec. 4

Concern for the Concern for the environment was environment was increased by the increased by the 1962 book Silent 1962 book Silent Spring, written by Spring, written by

Rachel Carson.Rachel Carson.

The book argued that pesticides were The book argued that pesticides were poisoning food & killing birds & fish. poisoning food & killing birds & fish.

Silent Spring sold nearly ½ million copies Silent Spring sold nearly ½ million copies w/in 6 months.w/in 6 months.

ROOTS OF THE MOVEMENT

Carson’s work helped to outlaw the Carson’s work helped to outlaw the use of DDT, a harmful pesticide, in use of DDT, a harmful pesticide, in

19721972

On April 22, 1970, Americans On April 22, 1970, Americans celebrated celebrated Earth Day Earth Day for the 1for the 1stst

time.time.

Earth Day became a yearly event to Earth Day became a yearly event to highlight environmental issues.highlight environmental issues.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

Richard Nixon was not an Richard Nixon was not an eenvironmentalistnvironmentalist..

An An environmentalistenvironmentalist is someone who is someone who takes an active takes an active

role in protecting role in protecting the environment.the environment.

GOVERNMENT TAKES ACTION

But Nixon But Nixon did did

recognize recognize the nation’s the nation’s

concern concern over the over the

environmenenvironment.t.

In 1970, he created the In 1970, he created the Environmental Protection Agency Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (EPA). This agency had the power to This agency had the power to

regulated pollution caused by regulated pollution caused by emissions standards & to conduct emissions standards & to conduct

research.research.

Nixon also signed the 1970 Nixon also signed the 1970 Clean Air Clean Air ActAct..

This law required industry to reduce This law required industry to reduce pollution from factories & automobiles.pollution from factories & automobiles.

Other new laws to protect the Other new laws to protect the environment also passed.environment also passed.

In 1968, In 1968, oiloil was found in was found in AlaskaAlaska. Oil . Oil companies began building a pipeline to companies began building a pipeline to

carry the oil 80 miles across the state.carry the oil 80 miles across the state.

The discovery of oil & the construction of The discovery of oil & the construction of the pipeline created many new jobs & the pipeline created many new jobs &

increased state revenues.increased state revenues.

BALANCING PROGRESS AND CONSERVATION IN ALASKA

The pipeline also raised concerns about The pipeline also raised concerns about Alaska’s environment & the rights of Alaska’s environment & the rights of

Alaska’s native peoples.Alaska’s native peoples.

In 1971, Nixon signed the In 1971, Nixon signed the Alaska Alaska Native Claims Settlement ActNative Claims Settlement Act. This . This law gave millions of acres of land to the law gave millions of acres of land to the

state’s native tribes.state’s native tribes.

In 1978, President Carter set aside 56 In 1978, President Carter set aside 56 million more acres in Alaska as national million more acres in Alaska as national

monuments.monuments.

In 1980, Congress added another 104 In 1980, Congress added another 104 million acres to Alaska’s protected million acres to Alaska’s protected

conservation areas.conservation areas.

In the 1970’s, some people believed In the 1970’s, some people believed that nuclear energy was the energy that nuclear energy was the energy

of the future.of the future.

They believed that They believed that it was cheap, it was cheap,

plentiful, & safe.plentiful, & safe.

THE DEBATE OVER NUCLEAR ENERGY

Others opposed nuclear energy. Others opposed nuclear energy. They warned that nuclear plants They warned that nuclear plants were dangerous to humans & the were dangerous to humans & the

environment.environment.

These people also feared These people also feared accidents & nuclear waste.accidents & nuclear waste.

On March 28, 1979, the concerns of On March 28, 1979, the concerns of opponents of nuclear energy opponents of nuclear energy

appeared to come true.appeared to come true.

An accident caused one of the An accident caused one of the nuclear reactors on nuclear reactors on Three Mile Three Mile

IslandIsland, in Pennsylvania, to , in Pennsylvania, to release radiation into the air.release radiation into the air.

An investigation showed that An investigation showed that workers at the plant workers at the plant had not been had not been

properly trainedproperly trained..

It also showed that It also showed that some safety some safety measures were not takenmeasures were not taken. Afterwards, . Afterwards, the government strengthened nuclear the government strengthened nuclear

safety regulations.safety regulations.

The debate over the environment The debate over the environment continues today. The struggle is b/w continues today. The struggle is b/w

proponents of economic growth & proponents of economic growth & conservationists.conservationists.

Environmental regulations sometimes Environmental regulations sometimes block economic development & cause block economic development & cause

a loss of jobs for workers. Though a loss of jobs for workers. Though there is conflict, it is clear that there is conflict, it is clear that

environmental concerns have gained environmental concerns have gained increasing attention & support.increasing attention & support.

A Continuing Movement