THE UNITED STATES IN THE MODERN WORLD

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1 THE UNITED STATES IN THE MODERN WORLD

PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON - #37 WWII Veteran (served in the US Navy in the Pacific) Never learned to read music but could play 5 instruments: saxophone, clarinet, accordion, violin, and piano Once lost

3 PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON - #37 WWII Veteran (served in the US Navy in the Pacific) Never learned to read music but could play 5 instruments: saxophone, clarinet, accordion, violin, and piano Once lost his bid to be his high school student-body president First elected to Congress in 1946 First president to take advantage of the political power shift due to the Sunbelt Migration Led the House on Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) during the 2 nd Red Scare Served as Dwight Eisenhower s Vice-President

4 President Richard Nixon - #37 Developed a plan known as détente (easing of strained relations especially politically) An honorable exit from Vietnam US gradual withdrawal from Vietnam and slowly handing over the fighting to South Vietnamese Using US trade to induce cooperation from the USSR Improving relations with China War Powers Act (1973) required the President to obtain Congressional approval to send US troops into combat January 1973 US and North Vietnam agree to a cease fire (to allow US troops to evacuate) After US troops leave North Vietnam launches an all-out assault and conquers South Vietnam American failure in Vietnam proved that Containment could not be maintained long term

between the table tennis teams of the US and China The opening of China forces the USSR to consider diplomatic relations

5 The Cold War Begins to Thaw February 1972 Nixon became the first US President to visit & recognize the Communist China Nixon negotiates with Mao Zedong to open a trade relationship between the US and China Ping-Pong Diplomacy competition between the table tennis teams of the US and China The opening of China forces the USSR to consider diplomatic relations with the US 1973 The US and USSR negotiate the first Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT 1) First nuclear arms treaty in history

6 Nixon s Domestic Impact Nixon took a moderate approach to the Presidency Shifted responsibility for social problems to state & local governments Maintained several of Johnson s Great Society policies Created government agencies to respond to public demands Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Formed in response to environmental demands created by Rachel Carson s Silent Spring Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Created due to increased safety hazards being found in the workplace After years of government overspending (beginning with the New Deal), Nixon decreased government spending & increased interest rates US economy sank into a recession Great Nixon Turnaround Nixon responded by freezing wages & prices for 90 days and imposed a 10% tariff on trade to end the recession

7 Election of 1972 REPUBLICAN: Richard Nixon DEMOCRAT: George McGovern

THE WATERGATE SCANDAL Nixon won the election of 1972 in the 4 th largest margin victory in US history During his campaign for reelection, Nixon was worried that he

8 THE WATERGATE SCANDAL Nixon won the election of 1972 in the 4 th largest margin victory in US history During his campaign for reelection, Nixon was worried that he might lose the race to his challenger George McGovern. The Committee to Reelect the President (CREEP) broke in to the Democratic National Headquarters located in the Watergate Hotel complex in Washington, D.C. They were looking to sabotage McGovern s compaign & gain campaign funds for Nixon illegally Nixon s administration tried to quickly cover up the break in but Congress organized an investigation and found tapes of Nixon speaking directly with the break in suspects Nixon was implicated in the scandal

THE WATERGATE SCANDAL Nixon officially announced his resignation in August 1974 Due to mounting public pressure and a threat of impeachment, Nixon chose to resign from office.

9 THE WATERGATE SCANDAL Nixon officially announced his resignation in August 1974 Due to mounting public pressure and a threat of impeachment, Nixon chose to resign from office. This made Richard Nixon the first and, so far, only President to ever voluntarily leave office. The Watergate scandal caused many Americans to lose confidence and trust in a government they viewed as corrupt and untrustworthy. Additionally their coverage of the scandal caused the press to gain a new respect in the eyes of many Americans as the watchdog over the government

10 President Gerald Ford - #38 After Nixon resigned, his Vice- President Gerald Ford became President. Ford would become the only US President that was never elected to the office Ford oversaw America during a time of increasing economic recession. He was wounded twice by two separate assassination attempts Ford s reputation was further tarnished when he pardoned Nixon for any wrong doing in the Watergate scandal. Due to Watergate, the American public had a rapidly growing distrust of the federal government

Regents (of the University of California) Allowed for affirmative action in college admissions Overextended Society The

11 Domestic Issues of the 1970s Two landmark decisions were handed down by the Supreme Court in the 1970 s. Roe v. Wade Legalized women s right to an abortion Bakke v. Regents (of the University of California) Allowed for affirmative action in college admissions Overextended Society The 70s saw a time of very low economic growth and rising inflation Due to foreign relations and other foreign policy issues the US economy stagnates Prices in the US rise by the triple digits in percentage

12 ELECION OF 1976 REPUBLICAN: Gerald Ford DEMOCRAT: Jimmy Carter

13 PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER - #39 In 1976 Georgia Democratic Governor Jimmy Carter beat Ford for the presidency. Although Americans seemed excited about Carter s administration many quickly grew tired of his lack of remedies & improvements Carter had no clear plan for correcting soaring inflation, interest rates, or bank failures Carter strongly urged conservation practices but seemed to blame the American people for the continued crisis Additionally, Carter s administration was heavily influenced by international issues. The major highlight of Carter s presidency was the Camp David Accords, Peace agreement between Egypt and Israel in The Accords became the 1 st peace agreement between Middle Eastern nations

INTERNATIONAL CRISES Détente ends USSR invades Afghanistan (1979) US

allies boycott 1980 Moscow Olympics 1979 Iranian Revolution Muslim

Iran (an ally of the US) Revolutionaries wanted instill a religious based

14 INTERNATIONAL CRISES Détente ends USSR invades Afghanistan (1979) US supports rebel fighters in the Middle East to stop communism US and allies boycott 1980 Moscow Olympics 1979 Iranian Revolution Muslim leaders led a revolution that led to the overthrow of the Shah (king) of Iran (an ally of the US) Revolutionaries wanted instill a religious based government Ayatollah Khomeini (the leader of the Shi a sect of Islam in Iran) became ruler

INTERNATIONAL CRISES Iranian Hostage Crisis In response to President Carter s refusal to send the Shah back to Iran, Islamic revolutionaries stormed the US

Hostages were finally released on January 20, 1981 when Carter left office and Ronald Reagan was sworn in.

15 INTERNATIONAL CRISES Iranian Hostage Crisis In response to President Carter s refusal to send the Shah back to Iran, Islamic revolutionaries stormed the US embassy in the Iranian capital of Tehran. 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days. Hostages were finally released on January 20, 1981 when Carter left office and Ronald Reagan was sworn in. Event only served to strengthen the anti-american sentiment in the Middle East. All the international and domestic problems under Carter s administration led to a new wave of conservatism in the US known as Neo-Conservativism and another shift away from the Democratic Party

16 ELECTION OF 1980 REPUBLICAN: Ronald Reagan DEMOCRAT: Jimmy Carter

PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN - #40 Ronald Reagan, former governor of California elected President in 1980.

17 PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN - #40 Ronald Reagan, former governor of California elected President in Started his adult life as a Hollywood actor As a conservative, Reagan believed that the federal government should have a smaller role in American life. Pursued an economic policy critics called Reaganomics ; included tax breaks and budget cuts.

REAGAN S PRESIDENCY Reaganomics - Also commonly called supply-side economics or trickle-down economics Reaganomics operated off the idea that if the corporations were given less government

18 REAGAN S PRESIDENCY Reaganomics - Also commonly called supply-side economics or trickle-down economics Reaganomics operated off the idea that if the corporations were given less government restriction and allowed for their profits to increase then it would lend to greater job growth and wealth for middle class America Economic Recovery Act (1981) largest Tax cut in US history Omnibus Reconciliation Act (1981) Largest reduction on government spending in US history Reaganomics saw the one of the largest job growths and income growths among all levels of American society in US history Reagan s policies ended the economic recession of the 1970s

19 ELECTION OF 1984 REPUBLICAN: Ronald Reagan DEMOCRAT: Walter Mondale

In an attempt to free 7 American hostages from Iran, Reagan s administration offered to sell Iran weapons for the hostage

20 REAGAN S PRESIDENCY Iran-Contra Incident During Reagan s second term, a scandal involving the sale of weapons tarnished his administration. In an attempt to free 7 American hostages from Iran, Reagan s administration offered to sell Iran weapons for the hostage s release. This money would in turn be used to fund the rebellion of anti- Communist fighters (called Contras ) in Nicaragua. Both the sale of arms to Iran and the funding of the Nicaraguan Contras violated acts of Congress.

THE COLD WAR ENDS One of the biggest accomplishments of Regan s administration is the downfall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War Through urging and negotiating several key Soviet

Strategic Defense Initiative an anti-missile laser system in space designed to protect against Soviet nuclear missiles Following in a like minded attitude, Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev instituted

21 THE COLD WAR ENDS One of the biggest accomplishments of Regan s administration is the downfall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War Through urging and negotiating several key Soviet leaders agreed to expand more individual freedoms to its citizens. Reagan, while decreasing domestic spending, increased military spending. Strategic Defense Initiative an anti-missile laser system in space designed to protect against Soviet nuclear missiles Following in a like minded attitude, Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev instituted the policies of glasnost and perestroika that led to economic changes in the communist nation. Glasnost open discussions of political and social reform Perestroika political movement to reform the communist party inside the Soviet Union and adopt moderate capitalism

satellite nations. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

22 THE COLD WAR ENDS Reagan Gorbachev Summits meetings to discuss the reduction of nuclear arms Reagan famously encouraged Soviet leader Gorbachev to end Soviet control of its satellite nations. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall! October 1989 Berlin Wall is torn down signaling the end of the Cold War Reunification of communist East Germany and capitalist West Germany

THE COLD WAR ENDS On Christmas Day in 1991, Gorbachev

23 THE COLD WAR ENDS On Christmas Day in 1991, Gorbachev resigns as leader of the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union is dissolved into 15 individual republics including Russia, the Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan. The collapse signified the over 50 year standoff between the US and the Soviet Union known as the Cold War was over.

24 ELECTION OF 1988 REPUBLICAN: George H.W. Bush DEMOCRAT: Michael Dukakis

25 PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH - #41 Promising to keep pushing the politics of the Reagan administration, Reagan s Vice President, George H.W. Bush, is elected president in 1988 Bush s presidency is mostly known for guiding the US through the Gulf War (the 1 st war in Iraq).

THE GULF WAR August 1990: Saddam Hussein orders the Iraqi Army to invade their

States led a coalition of 34 nations in support of Kuwait and other allied

Schwarzkopf The Allied Coalition pushed deep into Iraq and threatened to

and eventually a cease-fire was called between the US-led coalition and Iraq

26 THE GULF WAR August 1990: Saddam Hussein orders the Iraqi Army to invade their neighbor to the south, Kuwait in order to take over the oil fields The United States led a coalition of 34 nations in support of Kuwait and other allied countries in the Middle East US and Coalition commander was GEN Norman Schwarzkopf The Allied Coalition pushed deep into Iraq and threatened to invade the Iraqi capital of Baghdad depose Saddam s regime Saddam backed down and eventually a cease-fire was called between the US-led coalition and Iraq The agreement allowed Saddam to stay in power if Iraqi forces swore to never invade Kuwait again

27 TICKET OUT THE DOOR Read the selection at the following linik /2011/5/18/ /PersianGulfWar.pdf Answer the 10 questions at the end in COMPLETE SENTENCES

THE UNITED STATES IN THE MODERN WORLD

THE UNITED STATES IN THE MODERN WORLD 1968-1992 Georgia Standards USH25 The student will describe changes in national politics since 1968. a. Describe President Richard M. Nixon s opening of China, his