SWBAT Explain Nixons domestic and foreign policy initiatives Do Now Identify examples of both conflicthostility and peaceful relations between the US and Soviet Union during the Cold War ID: 692692
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Slide1
Nixon: Détente to Watergate
SWBAT: Explain Nixon’s domestic and foreign policy initiativesSlide2
Do Now
Identify examples of
both
conflict/hostility and peaceful relations between the U.S. and Soviet Union during the Cold War
Berlin Blockade & Airlift, Warsaw Pact, Mutually Assured Destruction, Cuban Missile Crisis, U-2, Korean War, Vietnam War
Geneva Convention, United Nations, SALT Treaties, Nixon goes to China & Soviet UnionSlide3
Background
The Great Society, Warren Court decisions, Counterculture movement, social changes, and a rise in sexual
&
drug experimentation led to a rise in conservative
politicsSlide4
Domestic Policy
Richard Nixon,
1968-1974
- Republican
- New Federalism- reduce role of the federal gov. give $ to states to spendSlide5
Domestic Policy
Programs Established:
- Occupational Safety & Health Administration (
OSHA
) - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Clean Air Act - Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) - Food stampsSlide6
Domestic Policy
Inflation:
-
caused by Vietnam War
- prices , unemployment 90-day wage freeze26th Amendment- lowered voting age from 21 18 (12 million new voters!) *a direct result of US involvement in VietnamNeil Armstrong walks on the moon (1969) Slide7
Foreign Policy
Nixon & Kissinger believed
in realpolitik Realpolitik basing politics & foreign policy on practical rather than moral or ideological considerationsNixon & Kissinger had more interest in power & international stability than relentless conflict Slide8
Foreign Policy
Nixon realized the Soviet Union & China could not be clumped into a communist bloc
China’s interests were
different
from the U.S.S.R.’sNixon believed China was destined to become a major player on the world stageNixon traveled to China in February of 1972 & recognized China’s government*
*Full diplomatic relations were not established until 1979, but there was a dramatic increase in trade between the two nations after Nixon’s visitSlide9
“Only Nixon could go to China”Slide10
Foreign Policy
3 months after visiting China, Nixon became
1
st American
president to visit the Soviet Union since WWIINixon believed improved relations with the Soviets might cause the Russians to influence the North Vietnamese to end the war on terms acceptable to the United StatesSlide11
Foreign Policy
Nixon & Soviet General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev negotiated in Moscow
Agreements
Increased trade
2 arms control treaties1. Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT)The two sides agreed to freeze their arsenals of intercontinental missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads2. Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty Banned the development of systems designed to intercept incoming missilesReagan would in essence violate the treaty with the Star Wars missile defense program
G.W. Bush withdrew the U.S. from the treaty in 2001Slide12
Détente
Nixon & Brezhnev declared a new era of “peaceful (mutual) coexistence”
Détente
an easing of hostilities & strained relations between two countriesSlide13
Watergate
Nixon
reelected
in landslide victory over George McGovern in 1972Slide14
Watergate
Nixon had difficulty with criticism & people of differing opinions
Viewed every critic as a threat to national security
Nixon developed an “enemies list” that contained journalists, politicians & celebritiesSlide15
Watergate
After the Pentagon Papers were printed in the
New York Times
, Nixon created an investigative unit known as the “plumbers” to gather information on Daniel Ellsberg, who leaked the papers to the press
In June of 1972, 5 burglars broke into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate Complex in D.C.Burglars were caught by a security guardWhite House denied involvement in the burglary attemptTwo members of the Committee to Re-Elect the President (CREEP), who were former CIA & FBI orchestrated the break-inNixon paid off the burglars & ordered the CIA to stop the FBI from investigating the caseTHIS IS OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE Slide16
Watergate
Washington Post
reporters, Carl Bernstein
& Bob Woodward investigate and discover that CREEP was involved in the
burglary It was discovered that Nixon had tape recordings of conversations in the Oval office The special prosecutor subpoenaed the tapes The House Judiciary Committee recommended impeachment of NixonInstead of facing impeachment, Nixon resignsSlide17Slide18
Watergate
Shortly after Nixon’s resignation, Sen. Frank Church (D-ID) lead senate hearings into government abuses
The Church Committee
Discovered every administration since the start of the Cold War abused power & misled U.S. citizens
FBI spied on millions & attempted to disrupt the civil rights movementCIA conducted covert operations to overthrow foreign governments & assassinate leadersSlide19
Legacy
Watergate, the Pentagon Papers, Vietnam, & the Church Committee undermined America’s confidence in its government
Despite being a conservative, Nixon’s
actions
led to the downfall of New Deal/Great Society liberalismLiberals believed government can solve social problems & promote freedomHow can the government promote freedom when its misconduct violated civil liberties?Americans need to be protected from government, not saved by it.Slide20
Wrap Up
“Distrust
and caution are the parents of security
.”
~Benjamin FranklinTo what extent do you agree with Franklin’s quote in relation to Cold War politics? Explain your response in detail.