Modern America (1968 Present)

Transcription

1 UNIT Modern America (1968 Present) CHAPTER 30 A Search for Order ( ) CHAPTER 31 America Looks to the Future (1980 PRESENT) 898 UNIT 11 Modern America

2 Young Volunteers think everybody should volunteer, says high school student Beth Kungel. I You don t need to get paid to help somebody else. It s fun, and it makes you feel good. Many children and teenagers from across the country share Kungel s feelings. Through their volunteer work, these active young people have improved the world around them. They have saved animals, protected the environment, tutored classmates, fed the homeless, and built homes among many other projects. Young people have volunteered to protect the environment in different ways. Some young volunteers have raised money to buy and preserve acres of rain forest. Others have focused their efforts closer to home. Some junior high school students from the Chicago area took part in the Spring into Action campaign. The project cleaned up local parks, planted trees, and restored sports fields in the community. In 1998 the Rouge River Rescue Cleanup in Michigan received assistance from MTV. The cable music channel held a cleanup party for volunteers to encourage more young people to join the effort. Other young people have chosen to help fellow citizens and community IN HISTORY Young people at work on a community garden project. members. Many have joined Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization that relies on volunteers to build homes for people with low incomes. When asked why she chose to spend her vacations working for free, teenager Regan Beard answered, Because it s awesome. It s definitely worth it.... We start with a concrete base and end with walls. America s Promise is another nonprofit organization that provides many young people with volunteer opportunities in their own communities. Founded in 1997, the group promotes community service as a way for young Americans to grow as individuals and citizens. If You Were There How would you volunteer your time? LEFT PAGE: Fireworks brighten the sky over the Statue of Liberty during a bicentennial celebration.

3 CHAPTER This cartoon dollar shows American concerns over inflation. A Search for Order ( ) Many middleclass Americans voted for Richard Nixon because they believed that he would bring order back to the United States. UNITED STATES 1968 Richard Nixon wins the presidency President Nixon announces the first withdrawal of U.S. troops from Vietnam Millions of Americans celebrate the first Earth Day, which reminds them to protect the environment Nixon sets a 90-day freeze on salaries, prices, and rents to lower inflation Nixon visits China The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) bans the sale of oil to the United States and causes an energy crisis Nixon resigns the presidency, and Gerald Ford becomes president Soviet and Chinese forces clash in Manchuria, in northeastern China Anwar Sadat becomes president of Egypt Twelve European countries agree not to dump garbage into the Atlantic Ocean Egypt and Syria attack Israel, beginning the Yom Kippur War OPEC ends the oil embargo against the United States. WORLD After the Yom Kippur War started, the United Nations persuaded Arabs and Israelis to accept a cease-fire. However, many worried whether peace in the Middle East would last. Build on What You Know The 1960s were marked by political and social unrest. By the 1970s, however, many Americans wanted a return to stability. Instead, the 1970s brought a presidential scandal, an energy crisis, rising inflation, and environmental worries. Presidents Nixon, Ford, and then Carter each tried different solutions to resolve these issues. 900 Chapter 30

4 A commemorative bicentennial patch Americans held parades across the nation to celebrate the bicentennial, or the 200th birthday of the United States The National Cancer Institute links cancer to pollution Americans celebrate the 200th birthday of the United States President Jimmy Carter makes human rights a top priority of U.S. foreign policy A nuclear accident takes place at Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania Ronald Reagan wins the presidency U.S. Apollo 18 spacecraft links up with the Soviet Soyuz 19 in orbit around Earth Soviets arrest human rights activists in Czechoslovakia and other Soviet bloc countries The Camp David Accords are signed by the leaders of Egypt and Israel An Iranian mob takes hostages from the U.S. embassy in Tehran. An artist s drawing shows the historic meeting of the U.S. Apollo 18 (left) and the Soviet Soyuz 19 spacecraft (right). You Be the Historian What s Your Opinion? Do you agree or disagree with the following statements? Support your point of view in your journal. Economics A country s economy depends upon the availability of energy sources. Government Impeachment is an effective way to address government scandals. Global Relations The president shapes U.S. foreign policy more than international events do. If you were there... How would you deal with the nation s problems? 901

5 The Nixon Presidency The Nixon Presidency Read to Discover 1. How did President Nixon try to address the concerns of the Silent Majority? 2. What effects did the poor economy and the energy crisis have on Americans? 3. How did realpolitik affect U.S. relations with other countries? Reading Strategy BUILDING BACKGROUND INFORMATION Use the Read to Discover questions, vocabulary, and visuals in this section to make predictions about the text. Write questions about the text based on your predictions. Look for answers to your questions as you read. Define southern strategy stagflation energy crisis realpolitik détente Identify Richard M. Nixon Silent Majority New Federalism Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Henry Kissinger Leonid Brezhnev Strategic Arms Limitation Talks Demonstrators fill the streets of New York City to show their support for Nixon. The Story Continues Some 100,000 workers most of them construction workers jammed shoulder to shoulder on already crowded New York City streets. All the way with the U.S.A., they yelled, showing support for President Richard Nixon. Many of these workers considered themselves the backbone of the nation. They saw student protesters as dangerous and anti-american. A few days later, one worker gave the president a hard hat. The worker called it a symbol, along with our great flag, for freedom and patriotism to our beloved country. The Silent Majority Many Americans voted for Richard M. Nixon in November 1968 because they disliked the changes taking place during the 1960s. President Nixon called these voters the Silent Majority the forgotten Americans, the non-shouters, the non-demonstrators. Nixon won their votes by promising to restore law and order. One Nixon supporter expressed the views of this group. 902 Chapter 30

6 History Makers Speak I want my children to live and grow up in an America as I knew it, where we were proud to be citizens of this country. I m... sick and tired of listening to all this nonsense about how awful America is. Barbara Baisley, quoted in Time The Silent Majority blamed the federal government for high taxes and social unrest. In response, Nixon tried to reduce the size of the government. He also called antiwar protesters criminals and backed policies that increased the power of the police and the courts. In addition, Nixon wanted to limit further civil rights legislation. He said, The laws have caught up with our consciences. This idea was part of the Republicans so-called southern strategy an attempt to win the support of white southern Democrats and other opponents of civil rights reforms. The U.S. Supreme Court blocked some of Nixon s efforts. For example, the Court supported busing programs to desegregate public schools, which Nixon opposed. In 1969 he replaced retiring Chief Justice Earl Warren with Warren E. Burger, a more conservative judge. Nixon went on to appoint three more conservative justices. After these changes, the Court began to reverse some of its earlier civil rights decisions. Reading Check: Summarizing What were the main goals of Nixon s domestic policy? The Economy One critical problem facing President Nixon was the U.S. economy. In the early 1970s stagflation, a period of high inflation and high unemployment, hurt the country. Several factors caused stagflation. The cost of social programs and the Vietnam War had raised the national debt. Paying the interest on this debt cost the federal government billions of dollars a year. These payments contributed to inflation. In addition, American manufacturers faced stronger foreign competition, causing some major industries to lay off workers in order to cut costs. Many Americans lost their jobs. Even those who kept working were hurt by rising prices caused by inflation. The buying power of the U.S. dollar fell by 30 percent from 1967 to Nixon hoped the economy would correct itself. He believed the federal government should avoid interfering with businesses and state governments. Instead, he called for a system of revenue sharing called New Federalism. Under this system, the federal government would give grants to the states. Local leaders would then decide how to use this money. However, Nixon placed limits on wage and price increases when inflation hit 6 percent in These controls slowed inflation for a short time. Analyzing Primary Sources Drawing Inferences and Conclusions What does this person believe American attitudes were like in the past? That s Interesting! Nixon and Elvis Did you know that President Nixon met Elvis Presley? It s true! On December 21, 1970, the King of Rock n Roll handdelivered a letter to the White House requesting a private meeting with the president. Presley was interested in being appointed as a Federal Agent at Large against drugs. Nixon did grant the meeting but not the position and 28 memorable photos were taken of the event. Before the meeting s end, the two exchanged gifts. Presley was given a badge, and the president received a World War II Colt 45 pistol. Reading Check: Identifying Cause and Effect What caused stagflation, and how did Nixon respond to it? A Search for Order 903

7 The Energy Crisis Scarce energy resources and rising oil prices also led to U.S. economic problems. By 1974 the United States was importing more than a third of its oil, much of which came from Middle Eastern countries. In 1960 Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, and Kuwait all oil-producing countries formed the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). OPEC hoped to control oil production and sales to keep oil prices high. The group also used its power to influence international politics. Most OPEC members were Arab countries opposed to Israel, an ally of the United States. In October 1973 Egypt and Syria attacked Israel on Yom Kippur, a Jewish holy day. The United States sent military supplies to Israel during the Yom Kippur War. This act upset Egypt and Syria s OPEC allies. OPEC declared an embargo, or a ban, on the sale of oil to the United States and some other countries. The oil embargo caused a worldwide energy crisis that was marked by high fuel prices and fuel shortages. Some schools and businesses had to shut down because they lacked fuel for heat and transportation. Nixon supported nuclear power research and construction of a pipeline to connect the Alaskan oil fields to the lower 48 states. Reading Check: Sequencing List the key events of the energy crisis in the order that they took place. Causes and Effects of the Energy Crisis Long-Term Causes Increased dependence of United States on foreign oil Lack of alternative energy options Formation of OPEC Immediate Causes U.S. support for Israel during Yom Kippur War OPEC oil embargo The Energy Crisis Effects Fuel shortages Higher fuel costs Increased stagflation Research into alternative energy sources 904 Chapter 30

8 Interpreting the Visual Record Nixon in China President Nixon visited China with hopes for further dividing the communist world. How might this photograph change some Americans impression of relations between the United States and China? Foreign Policy The energy crisis showed how complicated foreign policy had become. President Nixon had already begun working with advisers on a new approach to deal with such issues. Henry Kissinger served as Nixon s national security adviser during his first term and became secretary of state during Nixon s second term. He helped shape U.S. foreign policy. Kissinger based his foreign policy on the idea of realpolitik, a German word that means practical politics. This policy favored protecting U.S. interests over defending political or moral ideals overseas. For example, Kissinger believed that the United States should be willing to cooperate with nondemocratic countries in certain cases. Nixon agreed with most of Kissinger s policy views. Some people complained that realpolitik led to U.S. support of dictators who violated human rights. In Latin America, for example, the United States gave military and economic aid to several harsh military dictatorships. These governments were strongly anticommunist and generally supported U.S. foreign-policy interests. Realpolitik greatly affected U.S. relations with communist China. In 1949, communist rebels had defeated U.S.-backed Chinese Nationalists. Since then the United States had refused to officially recognize the government of communist China. Many U.S. officials had long assumed that China and the Soviet Union were close allies. However, in early 1969 the two communist nations had argued over their shared border. This dispute almost caused a war. By 1970 China and the Soviet Union had become bitter rivals. Hoping to widen the split between China and the Soviet Union, Nixon administration officials began secret talks with the Chinese. In February 1972 Nixon and his wife, Pat, visited China. A Search for Order 905

9 Henry Kissinger (center) played a key role in U.S. negotiations with foreign governments. Analyzing Primary Sources Identifying Points of View Why did this American support Nixon s policy? To keep the United States from forming an alliance with China, the Soviets showed more willingness to negotiate with the United States. In May 1972 Nixon became the first U.S. president to visit Moscow, meeting with Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev (BREZH-nef). The two leaders focused their talks on the nuclear arms race. The buildup of nuclear weapons was getting expensive for both nations, and the risk of nuclear war worried many observers. To slow the arms buildup, the two leaders signed the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) treaty. The SALT treaty limited the numbers and types of long-range nuclear missiles each country could have. The SALT treaty began a period of détente (day-tahnt), or an easing of tensions, between the two countries. Détente also improved U.S.-Soviet economic relations. Trade between the two countries tripled in The opening of this new market pleased American farmers. Although some people criticized Nixon for forming closer ties with communist governments, other Americans supported him. History Makers Speak I applaud [Nixon s] timely acceptance of the changing conditions in the world today.... If pragmatism [practicality] is indeed to be the byword [guiding principle] for U.S. policy, then all the better for the American people. Barbara Langsam, Letter to the editor, Time Section 1 keyword: Review Reading Check: Supporting a Point of View What do you think was the most important element of President Nixon s foreign policy? Explain your answer. 1 Define and explain: southern strategy stagflation energy crisis realpolitik 3 Identifying Cause and Effect Copy the graphic organizer below. Use it to show what caused the energy crisis and how it 4 Finding the Main Idea 2 détente affected Americans. 5 Identify and explain: Richard M. Nixon Cause Silent Majority New Federalism Energy Crisis Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries Consider the following: Henry Kissinger stagflation Leonid Brezhnev Strategic Arms Limitation Talks Effects New Federalism the energy crisis SC5 HP30 a. How did President Nixon appeal to the Silent Majority? b. What effect did realpolitik have on U.S. foreign relations? Writing and Critical Thinking Summarizing Imagine that you are an economist studying the effect of the poor economy on Americans during the Nixon years. Write an editorial about the problem. 906 Chapter 30

10 Watergate and Beyond Watergate and Beyond Read to Discover 1. How did the events of Watergate lead to President Nixon s resignation? 2. On what grounds did the House Judiciary Committee think Nixon should be impeached? 3. What challenges did President Ford face while in office? Reading Strategy SUPPORTING AN OPINION In this section, you will read that President Ford pardoned Richard Nixon for his role in Watergate. Do you agree or disagree with this action? As you read, write details to support your opinion. Define executive privilege trade deficit Identify Watergate Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein Saturday Night Massacre Gerald Ford Barbara Jordan The Story Continues It was around 2:00 A.M.on June 17, A security guard was doing a routine check at the Watergate apartment and office complex in Washington, D.C. At first, everything seemed quiet. Then he saw that the doors to the Democratic National Committee headquarters were open. The guard called the police, who arrested five men. These men were no ordinary burglars they had camera equipment, large amounts of cash, and secret electronic recording devices. Bob Woodward, a Washington Post reporter, was sure there was more to the story than simple burglary. Reporters Bob Woodward (top) and Carl Bernstein (bottom) became famous for breaking the Watergate story. The Beginning of a Scandal The police learned that some of the Watergate burglars had ties to President Richard Nixon s office. One burglar worked for the Committee to Re-elect the President (CRP). The other burglars tied to the crime were former White House aides. The incident developed into Watergate, a political scandal named after the burglarized building. A Search for Order 907

11 President Nixon quickly said that nobody in his administration had taken part in the break-in, and the story had little effect on the presidential election of Nixon won a landslide victory over George McGovern, the Democratic senator from South Dakota. However, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, two reporters for the Washington Post, continued to look into the break-in. At first, people involved in the incident refused to talk. Then an unknown White House informant gave Woodward key inside information about Watergate. This news led Woodward and Bernstein to discover that the CRP had hidden illegal campaign contributions and spread false rumors about Democratic candidates. These dirty tricks had helped Nixon and other Republicans win the election. The reporters began publishing articles about these events in the Washington Post. Evidence of a Watergate cover-up also began to build. Convicted Watergate burglar James McCord wrote a letter to Judge John J. Sirica. This letter became public in March In the letter, McCord said that he had been told to plead guilty and keep silent. McCord also stated that the five burglars who had been arrested were not the only ones involved. Reading Check: Summarizing What details were uncovered as the Watergate incident unfolded? Nixon adviser John Ehrlichman testifies before the Senate. The Investigation Many members of Congress believed James McCord s claim of a coverup. Some people even thought that President Nixon was part of the scandal. In February 1973 the Senate began its own investigation of the Watergate break-in. Nixon tried to shift the blame to others in his administration. He forced H. R. Haldeman, his chief of staff, and John Ehrlichman, a chief adviser, to resign. He also fired White House attorney John Dean. Nixon agreed to Senate demands to appoint an independent special prosecutor to investigate the Watergate scandal. Harvard law professor Archibald Cox, known for his honesty and legal skill, became that investigator. North Carolina Senator Sam Ervin led the Senate Select Committee that investigated Watergate. Millions of Americans watched the Senate hearings on television. Accusations against the president and his closest advisers soon unfolded. The most damaging witness was former White House attorney John Dean. He said that Nixon had taken part in the cover-up. Another witness revealed that Nixon had recorded most of the conversations in his office. The Senate committee asked Nixon to turn over the tapes. Nixon refused based on executive privilege the president s right to keep information secret to protect national security. The tapes were the key to determining the truth of Dean s claims. Special Prosecutor Cox asked for a court order to get them, but President Nixon and his attorneys felt that Cox s request violated 908 Chapter 30

12 executive privilege. Cox responded, There is no exception for the president....even the highest executive officials are subject to the rule of law. The federal judge in charge of the case ordered Nixon to hand over the tapes. Nixon asked if he could submit summaries of the tapes rather than the originals, but Cox refused. On Saturday evening, October 20, 1973, Nixon ordered Attorney General Elliott Richardson to fire the special prosecutor to protect the national interest. Richardson chose to resign rather than fire Cox. Mr. President, Richardson answered, it would appear that we have a different assessment [view] of the national interest. The next-highest Justice Department official also resigned rather than fire the special prosecutor. Nixon then named Solicitor General Robert Bork acting attorney general. Bork fired Cox. The resignations and firing became known as the Saturday Night Massacre. Nixon s approval rating dropped to 22 percent in some polls, and many goverment officials began to talk about impeaching the president. Nixon had other problems as well. In October Vice President Spiro Agnew faced charges that he had failed to pay his taxes and that he had taken bribes as a public official. Agnew resigned just a few days before the Saturday Night Massacre and received a fine and probation for his crimes. Nixon selected a Michigan representative and House minority leader Gerald Ford as his new Vice President. Interpreting the Visual Record Conspiracy As the Watergate investigations continued, Nixon claimed that his opponents were plotting against him. Do you think that this cartoon supports or criticizes President Nixon? Explain your answer. Nixon s Resignation Following the Saturday Night Massacre, some members of Congress began the formal process of requesting President Nixon s impeachment. The president then handed over a few of the tapes. He provided a heavily edited transcript of other tapes. Investigators also learned that an 18-minute segment of one of the tapes had been erased. A ticket to President Andrew Johnson s 1868 impeachment trial in the Senate. The Impeachment Process Grounds Phase 1 Officials establish grounds for impeachment, which could include treason, bribery, and other offenses. Per edits: New horizontal chart to come The House of Representatives announces articles of impeachment, thus formally accusing an official. Phase 2 Penalty The Senate holds a trial for the accused, with a two-thirds vote needed for a conviction. A convicted official is removed from his or her post and cannot hold any public office in the future. The Granger Collection, New York A Search for Order 909

13 Free Find: Barbara Jordan After reading about Barbara Jordan on the Holt Researcher CD ROM, write a short play that illustrates her accomplishments and the obstacles she overcame. Analyzing Primary Sources Drawing Inferences and Conclusions Why did Barbara Jordan believe that President Nixon should be impeached? Interpreting the Visual Record Nixon s resignation As President Nixon boarded a helicopter to leave the White House, the Washington Post announced his resignation. Does Nixon s expression seem appropriate for the occasion? Explain your answer. The new special prosecutor, Leon Jaworski, demanded the release of 64 more tapes. In July 1974 the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the president to turn over all of the tapes that had been subpoenaed, or legally requested as evidence. This time Nixon obeyed the court order. Conversations on the tapes proved that Nixon had ordered the Watergate cover-up. The president had also lied to Congress and the American people about his involvement in Watergate. The truth shocked many Americans who until then had believed the president. The evidence on the tapes moved Congress to act. The House Judiciary Committee soon asked the full House of Representatives to vote to impeach the president on three articles abusing his authority, obstructing justice, and violating the constitutional rights of citizens. Texas congresswoman Barbara Jordan was a committee member. Like others, she believed that Nixon had violated his oath to uphold the nation s laws. Jordan explained why she favored Nixon s impeachment. History Makers Speak My faith in the Constitution is whole, it is complete, it is total, and I am not going to sit here and be an idle spectator to the... destruction of the Constitution. Barbara Jordan, Speech before the House Judiciary Committee After the tapes were released, Nixon had little support in Congress. If the House voted to impeach him, it was very possible that the Senate would find him guilty. It was not until former supporters began asking for his resignation that Nixon knew he was defeated. On August 8, 1974, Nixon became the first U.S. president to announce his resignation from office. In a shaky voice, he admitted only to a few mistakes in judgment. The next day, Vice President Gerald Ford was the first person to be sworn in as president without being elected as either vice president or president. The Watergate scandal hurt many Americans faith in the government. We [now] assume that politicians are without honor, wrote poet and journalist Adrienne Rich. Others disagreed, however. They believed that the hearings and Nixon s resignation showed that the government of the United States could beat corruption. Reading Check: Identifying Cause and Effect Why did Nixon resign, and what was the public s reaction? 910 Chapter 30

14 The Ford Presidency President Gerald Ford called Watergate a long national nightmare that was now over. Ford pardoned Richard Nixon. This pardon meant that Nixon would never face trial for any of the illegal activities that took place during his presidency. Many Americans felt relieved to finally move past Watergate. Others questioned why Nixon escaped punishment when other Watergate figures had gone to jail. As a result of the pardon, Ford s approval rating fell from more than 70 to less than 50 percent. Ford also offered a conditional pardon to young men who had illegally avoided the draft during the Vietnam War. Under Ford s plan, these young men could avoid criminal charges by performing community service. Many veterans felt that the punishment was too light. However, antiwar activists thought it punished them unfairly for doing what they believed was morally right. Just 19 percent of those eligible for the pardon responded to the offer. Ford faced another controversy in the mid-1970s. Congressional investigations revealed that both the CIA and the FBI had abused their power. The FBI, for example, had spied on radical groups without proper cause. Ford tried to reorganize and reform the agencies to restore Americans faith in government. The economy also presented Ford with a challenge. Within months of taking office, Ford said that the country was nearing a recession. Business had slowed because of high oil prices and continuing stagflation. The United States also had a growing trade deficit a trade imbalance that happens when a country imports more goods than it exports. Many American automakers struggled to compete with popular imported cars such as the Volkswagen Beetle. The trade deficit made inflation and unemployment even worse. Ford believed that if the United States could control inflation, it could lower both prices and the trade deficit. To fight high prices, Ford began a voluntary campaign called Whip Inflation Now (WIN). He asked Americans to save their money and businesses to keep salaries and prices down. However, only 100,000 Americans joined a voluntary organization supporting the president s battle against inflation, and Congress rejected Ford s economic plan. Ford also wanted to lower government spending to reduce inflation. However, the Democrat-controlled Congress wanted more spending to help poor and unemployed citizens. Because of this dispute, few laws were passed. Ford vetoed more than 30 Democrat-backed spending bills during his term. In 1975 the president and Congress agreed to expand unemployment benefits and to cut some taxes. Although the economy recovered slightly, inflation and unemployment remained high, and the trade deficit grew. Interpreting the Visual Record Inflation Widespread price increases led President Ford to create his Whip Inflation Now program. What do you think was the purpose of the button? Reading Check: Finding the Main Idea What challenges did Ford face while in office? A Search for Order 911

15 President Ford reviews Chinese troops with Chinese Premier Deng Xiaoping. Ford s Foreign Policy In foreign affairs, President Ford tried to follow Nixon s policy of détente. He and Soviet leader Brezhnev agreed to limit underground nuclear testing. They also discussed a second SALT treaty to further limit nuclear arms. In addition, U.S. astronauts and Soviet cosmonauts performed a series of experiments together while in orbit in July Despite such events, conservative politicians argued that U.S. cooperation with the Soviet Union would cause other NATO nations to lose trust in the United States. Some conservatives also believed that the Soviet Union might see détente as a sign of American weakness. President Ford shared these fears and soon acted on them. In the spring of 1975, when communist Cambodians took over the American cargo ship Mayaguez, Ford authorized a military rescue. Forty-one Americans died in the failed attempt to rescue some 40 crewmembers. It was later discovered that the hostages had already been released. As time went on, conservatives in Congress took a firm stand against communism and would not back any more deals with the Soviet Union. The Soviets also became less cooperative and further SALT negotiations stalled. By 1976 little remained of the cooperation between the Soviet Union and the United States. Reading Check: Analyzing Information What was the state of détente under President Ford? Explain your answer. Section 2 keyword: Review 1 Define and explain: executive privilege trade deficit 3 Sequencing Copy the time line below. Use it to list the 4 Finding the Main Idea 2 Watergate events through President Nixon s resignation in the order that they occurred. 5 Identify and explain: Watergate Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein Saturday Night Massacre Gerald Ford Barbara Jordan Summer 1972 Summer 1973 Summer 1974 SC5 HP30 a. Why did the House Judiciary Committee conclude that Nixon s role in Watergate was a serious violation of the Constitution? b. How did President Ford address domestic and foreign challenges? Writing and Critical Thinking Evaluating Imagine that you are a political activist in President Ford has just granted Nixon a full pardon. Create a leaflet explaining why you support or oppose Ford s action. Consider the following: Saturday Night Massacre Ford s desire to help the country move past Watergate 912 Chapter 30

16 The Carter Administration The Carter Administration Read to Discover 1. How was President Carter different from other politicians, and why did he lose public support? 2. How did Carter handle economic problems during his presidency? 3. What was Carter s approach to foreign policy, and how did he apply it? Reading Strategy SPIDER MAPPING Draw a circle in the center of a sheet of paper. Label the circle President Jimmy Carter. Draw four rays from the circle. Draw a circle at the end of each ray. Label the circles Personal Characteristics, Domestic Challenges, Foreign Affairs, and Elections. As you read the section, write details about each topic next to its circle. Define apartheid sanctions Identify Jimmy Carter Panama Canal treaties Anwar Sadat Menachem Begin Camp David Accords Ayatollah Khomeini Iran hostage crisis The Story Continues The morning of July 4, 1976, dawned clear and cool over New York Harbor. A steady wind filled the sails of 225 tall ships as they silently made their way past the Statue of Liberty. For a few days most Americans set aside their worries about the economy and foreign policy. Instead they celebrated the country s bicentennial, or 200th birthday. One person stated that the bicentennial had become a way of clearing the American soul in a very positive way. Many Americans gathered to see the bicentennial celebration in New York Harbor. The Election of 1976 Democratic Party leaders hoped that the bicentennial would also mark a Democratic presidential victory. Democrats thought they had a good chance of winning the White House in Many Americans linked the Republicans to the Watergate scandal. In addition, a large number of voters were disappointed with the way President Gerald Ford had addressed economic and diplomatic issues. Other Americans were upset that he had pardoned former president Nixon. A Search for Order 913

17 Carter s Inauguration Instead of wearing formal attire to his inauguration, President Jimmy Carter wore a business suit. His wife Rosalynn also chose a more low-key approach to the event. Instead of buying a new gown, as most first ladies did, she wore the dress that she had worn to her husband s past two inaugurations as Georgia s governor. After his inauguration, Carter became the first president to walk back to the White House from the Capitol. How do you think Carter s actions might have changed the government? Ford defeated former California governor Ronald Reagan in a tough battle for the Republican presidential nomination. After he won, he chose Kansas senator Bob Dole as his running mate. The Democrats wanted a candidate who was not linked to any political scandals. At first there was no clear front-runner. However, an unexpected candidate emerged during the primaries a little-known former governor of Georgia named Jimmy Carter. The two most important factors in Carter s life were his family and his religion. These personal values strongly shaped Carter s political career. Carter s religious faith played a key role in his political views. As a result, he thought that policy should be based on moral ideals such as equality and justice. Carter s campaign focused more on his personal character than on his political platform. His background and straightforward approach impressed many people. I will never lie to you, he told voters. He promised a new era of honest, compassionate, responsive government. His words appealed to Americans still troubled by the Watergate incident. Carter narrowly beat Ford in the 1976 election. Strong support from African American and Hispanic voters helped him win. As president, Carter wanted to show the nation a new spirit of openness in the White House. On Inauguration Day, he and his family walked down Pennsylvania Avenue instead of riding in a limousine. Carter also tried to make the presidency more personal. He had few politicians from Washington in his cabinet. He also reduced the size of the presidential staff. Early in his administration, the public seemed to like Carter s approach. Reading Check: Drawing Inferences and Conclusions Why do you think Carter s character helped him win this election?

18 Domestic Challenges President Carter faced two major problems at home the economy and the energy crisis. Because the economy was still slow, Carter called for a tax cut and increases in government spending. He also tried to get management and organized labor to help out by holding down prices and wages. However, Carter achieved few of his domestic-policy goals. Inflation reached more than 13 percent in 1980, partly because of rising oil prices. The energy crisis continued to hurt the economy. Oil prices remained high, and the United States still depended on foreign oil. Nuclear energy was not a popular alternative. Many Americans began to fear nuclear power after an accident occurred on Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania. In March 1979 the reactor core of a nuclear power plant located there overheated and nearly released deadly radiation into the air. The accident raised new questions about the safety of nuclear power. Carter created a detailed energy policy and asked Americans to use less fuel. He found it difficult to win public support for energy conservation, however. Carter also supported the development of alternative energy sources such as natural gas. As an inexperienced political outsider, Carter had trouble winning support in Congress. For example, Carter did not want Congress to make any changes to his complex energy plan. As a result, Congress approved only some of the plan. Although his own party controlled Congress, few of his proposals were passed. Carter s rigid style limited his ability to get things done. Reading Check: Analyzing Information What factors kept Carter from lowering inflation and solving the energy crisis? I N G G N I K N I L PAST to PRESENT The Changing Automobile The energy crisis of the 1970s led car companies to make smaller, more fuel-efficient cars. Today automakers are using new technology to create cars that cause less pollution and use less fossil fuel. Electric cars run on powerful batteries instead of gasoline. Hybrid cars combine electric batteries with small gasoline engines that extend battery life. Hydrogenpowered cars use devices called fuel cells to turn hydrogen and oxygen into electricity. These new car designs face a variety of problems, ranging from car size to cost. But they show that interest in energysaving technologies remains strong in many nations. What are some of the new cars being developed? Carter s Foreign Policy President Carter rejected the policy of realpolitik. Instead, he said that fairness, not force, should lie at the heart of our dealings with the nations of the world. Carter had harsh words for foreign governments that tortured or unlawfully jailed their citizens. He insisted that other governments protect citizens human rights the basic rights and freedoms owed to all human beings. Carter reduced U.S. aid to some former allies, such as Argentina and Ethiopia, for human-rights violations. President Carter soon applied his new foreign-policy plan to U.S. relations with Latin America. Many Latin Americans resented past U.S. interference in their countries, such as the U.S.-built and controlled Panama Canal. In 1977 Carter signed the Panama Canal treaties, which gave control of the canal to Panama by the year Many Americans opposed the treaties because of the canal s strategic value. Nevertheless, the Senate approved them in Like Carter, the Senate hoped that the treaties would lead to closer ties with Latin America and reduce communist influence in the region. A new hybrid car A Search for Order 915

19 Jimmy Carter Character Trait: Citizenship James Earl Carter Jr. was born in Plains, Georgia. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, Carter was an engineer in the nuclear submarine program. After his father died, Carter returned to Georgia to help rebuild the family peanut warehouse. He became active in politics, and in 1970 he was elected governor of Georgia. When Carter announced his decision to run for president in December 1974, few politicians thought he could win. However, by the time of the Democratic National Convention, Carter had won 18 state primaries. He then won the nomination for president. How do you think Carter s early experiences prepared him for the presidency? President Carter also became involved in Middle Eastern diplomacy. In September 1978 he brought Egyptian president Anwar Sadat and Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin (BAY-gin) together for peace talks. The leaders met at Camp David, the U.S. presidential retreat. In two weeks of meetings they crafted a set of peace agreements known as the Camp David Accords. The accords marked the first time that an Arab country had formed peaceful ties with Israel. Many historians view the accords as Carter s greatest accomplishment. In relations with Africa, Carter tried to encourage respect for human rights and win allies. He provided economic aid to developing countries struggling to establish economic independence after years of European colonial rule. He also tried to preserve U.S. trade interests in the region. In addition, Carter s administration addressed the issue of apartheid, the system of laws requiring racial segregation in South Africa. Andrew Young, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, was a strong critic of apartheid. Young called for sanctions, or economic penalties, to persuade South Africa to desegregate. The United States began applying sanctions against South Africa in Carter was very critical of the Soviet government s many humanrights abuses. This criticism upset Soviet leaders. The situation became even more serious in 1979 when the Soviets invaded the Central Asian country of Afghanistan. Carter reacted to the invasion by postponing talks on SALT II a new arms control treaty. He also placed an embargo on U.S. grain sales to the Soviet Union. Finally, Carter declared a U.S. boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. The Olympic boycott and the grain embargo upset many American athletes and farmers. Some Americans believed that beating the Soviets in competition was a better way to show U.S. strength than boycotting the games. Other Americans worried about the economic effects of the grain embargo. [W]e shouldn t have to go broke being patriotic, said one Kansas farmer. Reading Check: Summarizing How did Carter apply fairness, not force in his foreign policy? Anwar Sadat of Egypt (left) and Menachem Begin of Israel (right) signed the first peace treaty between Israel and an Arab nation. 916 Chapter 30

20 Interpreting the Visual Record Hostages Iranian revolutionaries parade some of the U.S. hostages through the streets of Tehran. How might this image create problems for the U.S. government? The Iran Hostage Crisis Another crisis soon drew Americans attention. In the 1950s the United States had helped bring the shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (RAY-zah pah-lahv-ee), to power. Over the next 20 years, the shah had supported U.S. interests in the region. In the late 1970s, however, Islamic fundamentalists began to challenge the shah s power. They called for a strict return to Islamic teachings and an end to cooperation with the United States. By February 1979, followers of religious leader Ayatollah Khomeini (eye-uh-toh-luh koh-may-nee) had overthrown the shah. They formed a fundamentalist dictatorship that was hostile to the United States. In October U.S. leaders allowed the shah into the United States for medical treatment. Angry Iranian revolutionaries staged massive protests. They also attacked the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran s capital. On November 4 they seized American hostages, whom they abused and tortured. They let one hostage go free, but the rest were still held captive. The Iran hostage crisis dragged on for months with no end in sight. Many horrified Americans believed that the hostage situation was proof of America s declining strength. In April 1980 a rescue attempt by the U.S. military went terribly wrong. Confusion and mechanical problems caused a rescue helicopter and a transport plane to collide in the desert. The rescuers never reached Tehran. One American explained how the failure caused many Americans to lose faith in Carter s leadership. History America today needs a tough-talking and tough-acting Makers leader. America s strength was built on national pride and Speak morale [positive feeling], and both of these have dropped under the weight of the defeat in Vietnam, the scandal of Watergate, and the catastrophic [disastrous] policies of Jimmy Carter. Analyzing Primary Sources Drawing Inferences and Conclusions What kind of leader do you think this speaker would support? Anonymous, quoted in America in the Twentieth Century, by James T. Patterson Reading Check: Finding the Main Idea How did Carter respond to the hostage crisis, and how did public opinion of him change? A Search for Order 917

21 Ronald Reagan s promise to make America strong again appealed to many voters. Analyzing Primary Sources Identifying Points of View Why did Reagan feel his country needed new leadership? The Election of 1980 While President Carter prepared to run for re-election in 1980, his popularity was falling. Many people blamed him for the hostage crisis and the country s economic problems. He had also lost the support of many Democratic leaders in Congress. One southern Democratic senator said privately, He hasn t a single friend up here [on Capitol Hill]. Now it was the Republicans turn to challenge an unpopular president. Republican Party leaders chose Ronald Reagan, the former governor of California, to run against Carter. During his campaign, Reagan claimed that the country needed new leadership. History I will not stand by and watch this great country destroy Makers itself under mediocre [average] leadership.... This is Speak the greatest country in the world. We have the talent, we have the drive, we have the imagination. Now all we need is the leadership. Reagan advertisement, quoted in It Seemed Like Nothing Happened, by Peter Carroll In the November 1980 election Reagan defeated Carter in a landslide victory, 489 electoral votes to 49. Republicans also gained control of the Senate for the first time in 28 years. Despite his defeat, Carter s administration continued to negotiate for the release of the hostages. After 444 days in captivity, on January 20, 1981, the hostages were finally freed just moments after Reagan was sworn in as president. When the hostages returned home five days later, people across the country welcomed them back with banners and parades. Section 3 keyword: Review Identify and explain: Jimmy Carter Panama Canal treaties Anwar Sadat Menachem Begin Camp David Accords Ayatollah Khomeini Iran hostage crisis Reading Check: Identifying Cause and Effect What caused President Carter s popularity to decline, and what was the result? 1 Define and explain: apartheid sanctions 3 Summarizing Copy the table below. Use it to list the ideas that 4 Finding the Main Idea 2 shaped Carter s foreign policy and how he applied them. Ideas that shaped Carter s foreign policy Ways Carter applied these ideas 5 SC5 HP30 a. In what ways was President Carter unlike other politicians, and why did this affect his public support? b. What economic problems did the nation face during Carter s presidency, and how did he address them? Writing and Critical Thinking Supporting a Point of View Imagine that you are an Olympic athlete in Write a letter to President Carter sharing your opinions on the boycott of the 1980 Summer Games in Moscow. Consider the following: the invasion of Afghanistan human-rights abuses Carter s fairness and morality approach 918 Chapter 30

22 American Society in the 1970s Read to Discover 1. How did the U.S. population change during the 1970s? 2. What environmental and health concerns drew Americans attention, and how were they addressed? 3. In what ways did popular entertainment and computers change in the 1970s? Reading Strategy BOOKLET Create the Booklet FoldNote described in the Appendix. Label the pages Immigration/Population Changes, Environment/Health, Computers, and Popular Culture. As you read the section, write the main ideas about each topic on the appropriate page. Identify Endangered Species Act Earth Day Environmental Protection Agency George Lucas Donna Summer The Story Continues Despite the problems the United States faced in the 1970s, America was still a land of opportunity for immigrants. Many immigrants were like Erasmo and Eloina Ortega, who emigrated from the Dominican Republic in the 1970s. Although their family had to work hard in the troubled U.S. economy, they were happy to be in the United States. The political situation [in the Dominican Republic] was bad, recalled Eloina. We re very glad that our children have a future that our country could never provide them. A flag from the Dominican Republic Changing Immigration The Ortegas were part of a changing pattern of immigration in the United States. Until the mid-1960s most immigrants came from Europe. By the 1970s, however, the majority of immigrants were coming from Latin America and Asia. Immigrants from Latin America and Asia were often political refugees. For example, thousands of people, many of whom were A Search for Order 919

23 Analyzing Primary Sources Identifying Points of View What does this person seem to love so much about America? educated professionals, left communist Cuba and came to the United States. These immigrants helped form a powerful Cuban American political movement in southern Florida. Some Asian immigrants were also refugees from communist countries, such as Vietnam. Thousands of other immigrants came to the United States in search of economic opportunities. Mexican immigrants looking for jobs made up the majority of Latin American immigrants during the 1970s. Although the U.S. economy was struggling, many immigrants still found better jobs than they could in their homelands. Immigrants also sought educational opportunities. A large number of Asians came to the United States to attend college and often stayed and worked in technical industries and other professions. Educated middleclass professionals also immigrated to the United States, sometimes with their families, to find new opportunities. Chinese immigrant Subi Lin Felipe recalled how her brother-in-law brought in a sister and his wife, who brought over one of her brothers and me. Many immigrants shared the outlook of Korean Kim Ta Tai. History Makers Speak The fascination of America... is to come to a free and abundant [plentiful] country, and breathe the air of freedom, and make plans for a new life. Kim Ta Tai, quoted in Strangers from a Different Shore, by Ronald Takaki Reading Check: Contrasting How were immigration patterns of the 1970s different from earlier years? Interpreting the Visual Record The Sunbelt Many older Americans enjoyed active lifestyles in the warm climate of the Sunbelt. Why might people prefer the Sunbelt? Growth in the Sunbelt Thousands of immigrants settled in the Sunbelt states of the South and the West. Migrants from the Northeast and the Midwest also moved to the Sunbelt. By 1970 California had become the most populous state in the Union. The populations of other Sunbelt states such as Arizona and Florida also increased dramatically during the 1970s. By comparison, Midwestern and Northeastern populations grew slowly or even decreased. Many people moved to the Sunbelt states to take new jobs in growing high-tech industries such as aerospace and electronics. Many companies got their start by filling federal defense contracts during the Cold War military buildup. Many older Americans moved to the Sunbelt for its warm climate. They were part of a major change in the U.S. population. More Americans were living longer because health care had improved and the birthrate was dropping. More adults were waiting longer to have children and were having smaller families. As a result, the percentage of the U.S. population aged 65 and older grew rapidly. The expansion of Social Security benefits in the 1960s made retirement easier for many older Americans. Reading Check: Summarizing In what ways did the U.S. population change in the 1970s? 920 Chapter 30

24 Environmental and Health Issues As the human population expanded across the nation, wildlife species were pushed into smaller habitats. In 1966 Congress passed one of the earliest environmental measures, the Endangered Species Act. This act protects animals threatened with extinction. The Department of the Interior maintains a list of species that are in danger. Federal law forbids hunting these species or destroying their natural habitats. Some activists have used the Endangered Species Act to stop building projects. However, critics claim that the law goes too far. These people agree that wildlife should be protected but feel that people need the jobs that new development brings. As the debate continues, some developers today are searching for ways to both protect the environment and make a profit. Some Americans were also concerned about the effect of rapid growth on the environments of the Sunbelt and northwestern states. The worldwide energy crisis also led to growing concern about the use of natural resources. American activists tried to raise environmental awareness by sponsoring the first Earth Day on April 22, History Makers Speak Earth Day is to remind each person of his [or her]... equal responsibility... to preserve and improve the Earth and the quality of life thereon. John McConnell, Proposed Earth Day Resolution Since then, people around the world have held similar events. Groups also offer tips about saving energy, picking up litter, and recycling. Congress addressed concerns about the environment in the late 1960s and early 1970s by passing laws to improve air and water quality and to limit pollution. In 1970 Congress created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enforce these laws. Then in 1977 the federal government banned the use of chemicals that were believed to weaken Earth s atmospheric ozone layer. The ozone layer helps protect Earth s surface from excessive solar radiation. Interpreting the Visual Record Earth Day Many thousands of people have observed Earth Day since the first celebration was held in How can this event help the environmental movement? Analyzing Primary Sources Identifying Points of View According to McConnell, who is responsible for protecting the environment? A Search for Order 921

25 The smiley face became a symbol of positive thinking in the 1970s. Environmental concerns shaped the consumer activist movement of the 1970s. This movement showed that worries about public health could change business practices and safety regulations. Led by consumer advocate Ralph Nader, activists pushed for improved safety and environmental regulations for many consumer goods. These activities resulted in stricter rules for product safety and tougher pollution standards for automobiles. Concern for public health also led to many changes in medical technology in the 1970s. Patented in 1972, the MRI machine could find tumors and other problems more accurately than X-ray machines. The following year, researchers created the CAT scanner. This device produces images called CAT scans that allow doctors to detect tumors in and injuries to the brain. Medical research indicated that people could lower their risk for certain diseases with exercise and a better diet. In addition, studies exposed the dangers of tobacco products, and antismoking campaigns encouraged Americans to give up smoking. These studies caused many Americans to live healthier lives in the 1970s. Jogging, dance, and other aerobic activities became popular. Scientists believe that better diet and exercise led to about a 20 percent drop in the death rate from heart disease between 1969 and Reading Check: Summarizing How were environmental and health concerns addressed in the 1970s? Advances in Computers Computer technology also changed during the 1970s. Computer designers began making wide use of the microchip, invented in A microchip is a tiny piece of silicon that contains many small electronic parts. Placing all of these parts on a single chip allowed computers to become smaller and faster. As computers did more and cost less, more people used them. The most powerful machines, known as supercomputers, allowed for advanced scientific research. The military also used computers in many of its new defense and weapons systems. In addition, scientists created the first computer networks for military research. These networks allowed computer users in different places to share data. For the first time the development of small personal computers became possible. In 1976 Steven Jobs and Stephen Wozniak founded the Apple computer company. Their first successful home computer had simple graphics and could run only a few programs. Despite these limitations, Apple had sold thousands of computers by Although computer designers made better models during the 1970s, the new machines still cost too much to be practical for most people. The Apple II was the first fully assembled home computer. Reading Check: Making Generalizations and Predictions How do you think the changes in computer technology during the 1970s affected later innovations? 922 Chapter 30

26 Popular Culture New technology had a major effect on moviemaking. The most successful film of the 1970s was George Lucas s 1977 classic, Star Wars. Lucas used new filmmaking and sound-recording techniques to create amazing special effects that audiences loved. The success of Star Wars resulted in a new era of blockbuster films. These big-budget, specialeffects movies were aimed at younger audiences. Lucas said that he felt the story s universal themes like friendship, loyalty, [and] morality [right and wrong] appealed to young audiences. Director Steven Spielberg, who made blockbusters like Close Encounters of the Third Kind,praised this change. Films became a valuable U.S. export. However, there were also risks involved for the movie studios. Big-budget films cost so much to make that if one failed it could ruin a studio. In addition, some viewers began to complain that blockbuster movie plots were too simple and violent. Music also changed during the 1970s. Americans enjoyed danceoriented musical styles, such as disco, at discotheques, or discos. Dances like The Hustle were popular, and musicians like the Bee Gees and Donna Summer made best-selling records. As with big-budget movies, the new music had its critics. Some argued that disco lyrics encouraged irresponsible behavior. Despite such criticisms, disco music remained popular with young fans in the 1970s. Star Wars dazzled audiences with its images of alien worlds and earned more than $100 million during its opening release, a record at that time. Reading Check: Summarizing Why did some people criticize popular forms of entertainment of the 1970s? Section 4 keyword: Review 1 Identify and explain: Endangered Species Act Earth Day Environmental Protection Agency George Lucas 2 Analyzing Information Copy the graphic organizer below. Use it to identify the environmental issues that concerned Americans in 3 Finding the Main Idea Donna Summer the 1970s and the ways that these concerns 4 were addressed. Problems Solutions SC5 HP30 a. How was the population of the United States affected by changes in immigration and migration during the 1970s? b. How did popular entertainment and computers change during the 1970s? Writing and Critical Thinking Evaluating Imagine that you are a public health worker in the 1970s who is trying to raise public awareness of health issues. Create an informational brochure telling Americans about recent health concerns and how they are being addressed. Consider the following: MRI machines and CAT scans better exercise and diet the results of medical improvements A Search for Order 923

27 Chapter Review The Chapter at a Glance Examine the visual summary of the chapter below. Create a five-question multiplechoice quiz covering the chapter s main ideas that you might give to a classmate. Détente The 1970s Energy Crisis Hostage Crisis Disco Sunbelt Watergate Camp David Accords Environmentalism President Nixon improved relations with the Soviet Union and China. Faced with possible impeachment because of the Watergate scandal, he resigned. The U.S. economy suffered, and the nation faced an energy crisis. President Carter also faced a struggling U.S. economy. He helped bring peace between Egypt and Israel but was unable to free American hostages in Iran. In the 1970s Americans grew more concerned about the environment. Millions of people moved to the Sunbelt. Disco music became popular. Identifying People and Ideas Use the following terms or people in historically significant sentences. 1. Richard Nixon 6. Jimmy Carter 2. stagflation 7. apartheid 3. Strategic Arms 8. Iran hostage crisis Limitation Talks 9. Earth Day 4. Watergate 10. Environmental Protection 5. Barbara Jordan Agency Understanding Main Ideas Section 1 (Pages ) 1. How did President Nixon try to address the concerns of the Silent Majority? 2. How did realpolitik affect U.S. foreign relations? Section 2 (Pages ) 3. What events led to the discovery of Nixon s role in Watergate? Section 3 (Pages ) 4. What made Jimmy Carter seem different than other politicians, and why did he lose public support? 5. Explain Carter s foreign-policy approach, and give examples of how he applied it. Section 4 (Pages ) 6. What environmental issues arose in the 1970s, and what actions did the federal government take to improve the situation? 7. In what ways did 1970s films and music change? You Be the Historian Reviewing Themes 1. Economics How did U.S. dependence on foreign oil affect the economy during the mid-1970s? 2. Government How did Watergate affect Americans opinions of the presidency? 3. Global Relations How did Carter s foreign-policy approach differ from that of Nixon? Thinking Critically 1. Identifying Cause and Effect Why did Nixon try to form closer ties with China, and how did this affect U.S. relations with the Soviet Union? 2. Supporting a Point of View Which do you think would have been better for the nation pardoning President Nixon for Watergate or trying him in a court of law? Explain your answer. 3. Analyzing Information How did Presidents Nixon, Ford, and Carter try to improve economic conditions during the 1970s? 924 Chapter 30

28 Interpreting Political Cartoons Study the political cartoon below. Then answer the questions that follow. Analyzing Primary Sources Read the following quotation by consumer advocate Ralph Nader, who lobbied for better consumer protection laws, and then answer the questions that follow. Air pollution alone is a devastating form of violence. It takes far more lives and maims far more victims each year than street crime, and destroys more property each year than all the bank robbers hauls a thousand times over. According to government figures, bank robbers have gotten away with more than twenty million dollars a year in recent years... but the cost of air pollution alone in one recent year ran to more than sixteen billion dollars. 1.What is the cartoon s message? a. Watergate continued to trouble President Ford and the nation even after Nixon resigned. b. Nixon abused his powers as president. c. Ford was not prepared for the new responsibilities that he assumed as president. d. Nixon was a stronger leader than Ford. 2. Based on what you know about the 1970s, what is President Ford doing and why? 3. Which of the following statements best describes the author s point of view? a. The government needs to crack down on crime. b. Bank robbers are responsible for America s economic problems. c. Healthcare costs due to air pollution are greater than the amount of money bank robbers steal. d. The government should not spend so much money enforcing environmental protection laws. 4. Why do you think Nader compares air pollution with bank robbers? 5. Based on what you know about the environmental movement of the 1970s, what federal actions indicated that U.S. government officials were working to protect the environment? Alternative Assessment Building Your Portfolio Linking to Community Contact your City Hall and local Chamber of Commerce to locate information about activities planned for the next Earth Day in your community. Create a poster and leaflets that might be used for the event. On your poster, use art or photographs to show why environmental activities are important. In the leaflets, persuade people to work to preserve the environment and explain how to accomplish that goal. Internet Activity: go.hrw.com keyword: SC5 CF30 Choose a topic on the 1970s to: Create a visual display on the Watergate scandal. Write a biography of Jimmy Carter. Create an annotated scrapbook on life in the 1970s. A Search for Order 925