Nixon s Presidency (sans Vietnam and Watergate) Chapter 39 Objective #1 Examine major foreign policy initiatives of Richard Nixon s administration including: Improvements of relations with USSR and China Détente Strategic Arms Limitation Talks Objective #2 Examine the United States role in the Middle East during Nixon as illustrated by the U.S relationship with Israel and the domestic effects of this role, as illustrated by the OPEC oil embargo and the related energy crisis. 1
Richard Nixon President of the U.S. from 1969-1974. Vice President under Eisenhower from 1953-1961. Served in the Congress from 1946-1953. Only President to resign from office (after Watergate Scandal). Strict Republican and Anti-Communist. The Silent Majority Nixon catered to Silent Majority Moderate, Middle-class Americans who silently supported America (and Vietnam War) People tired of war protestors and crime People who wanted more law and order People who wanted less money spent on social programs To keep law and order Nixon often broke the law to keep tabs on his enemies Illegal wire taps IRS Audits School Controversy Continued.. How far will school integration go? 1971: Swann v. Charlotte- Mecklenburg Board of Education School districts can bus students to different schools to integrate Rioting in Boston and Detroit (1974) Nixon opposed busing (Southern Strategy in 1972) 2
New Federalism Part of Nixon s Southern Strategy Wanted to return some of federal power to state and local governments Believed federal government grew too large and spending too much money in 1960s Revenue Sharing: Return some tax money back to state and local govts. Tried to limit or eliminate many social programs (many from Great Society) Ironically, he will expand some like Social Security, Medicaid, etc. Philadelphia Plan Required construction trade unions to establish goals and timetables for hiring of black employees Established set-asides for minority contractors and those who met minority hiring quotas Built on LBJ s Affirmative Action Plan. Opened opportunities for minorities New Agencies Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Oversees and enforces minimum working standards in the workplace Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Oversees and enforces minimum environmental safety levels 3
Nixon s Domestic & Economic Policies Stagflation: described as a period of high inflation combined with economic stagnation, unemployment, or economic recession that occurred during the 1970s. Stagflation is thought to occur when there is an adverse shock (a sudden increase, say in the price of oil) Causes of Stagflation in 1970s Draining dollars into Vietnam as opposed to business, education, etc. Costs of Great Society Rising oil prices Businesses were complacent Did not improve upon technology Other countries caught us (ex. Auto industry) Cost of complying with federal government mandates Shift from blue collar to white collar costs money Response to Stagflation Stagflation Response Taxed imports to help balance of trade Helpless to stop OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) from oil embargo in retaliation for Israeli support Issues wage and price controls to reduce inflation and spur job growth (increased regulations) Raised interest rates to spur saving (no spending = drop in prices) Goes off gold standard to lessen dollar and bolster US products overseas 4
Realpolitik Until Nixon, U.S. feared everything communist Feared the idea of communism Led to containment policy and us not recognizing communist countries Realpolitik: Foreign policy should be based on consideration of power, not morals or principles Deal with strong communist countries: they are a threat, even if communist Ignore weak countries CHINA Two Chinas Before Nixon s administration, the ROC had held China s seat on the UN General Assembly, and the United States had cut off diplomatic relations with the PRC. After the Chinese Civil War of 1949, the Communists under Chairman Mao Zedong had created the People s Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland. The Nationalists under Chiang Kai-Shek had fled to Taiwan (Formosa) and established the non-communist Republic of China (ROC). 5
Rapprochement Nixon began to consider a reopening of relations, or rapprochement, with the PRC. Reasons for rapprochement: Trade with China huge market Main reason: increase tension between Soviet Union and China Growing dissidence between the U.S.S.R. and China has limited both countries in the pursuit of policies basically antagonistic to U.S. interests. Beyond this, the dispute has, in a positive sense, heightened Soviet interest in developing a less abrasive relationship with the U.S. and it may at some point lead China in the same direction. Ping-Pong Diplomacy The American ping-pong team received a surprise invitation to visit the PRC in April, 1971. Their acceptance made them the first Americans to be allowed into communist mainland China since the Chinese Civil War of 1949. The trip was a diplomatic success! The American public became more willing to open up relations with the PRC. America lifted its 20-year trade embargo on mainland China. NIXON GOES TO CHINA (1972) 6
4/29/13 NIXON GOES TO CHINA Goals: Heal Cold War tensions with China Also want to impress the Chinese and make them a potential trade partner Form an alliance with them against USSR Help end Vietnam War Learn to use chopsticks NIXON GOES TO CHINA Results: Improved diplomatic relations. U.S. considered recognizing the PRC as the official government of China. This does not happen until 1979. Caused USSR to worry about an alliance between U.S. and the PRC. (Why is Mrs. Nixon smiling, wearing a red coat, trying to blend in with a bunch of communists?) Detente After years of hostility and tension between the U.S.S.R and the U.S., Nixon instituted a policy of détente. Détente focused on peaceful negotiations and weapon limitations between the two nations. Unlike previous administrations, Nixon and Kissinger hoped to negotiate for the mutual benefit of both the U.S.S.R. and the U.S. as opposed to demanding that the U.S.S.R. give into U.S. demands. 7
NIXON GOES TO THE U.S.S.R. In 1972, Nixon made a trip to Moscow. Met with Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev. In 1973, Brezhnev visited the White House. Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (ABM): Limited types of defensive nuclear missiles Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I) signed in 1972 First treaty limiting production of nuclear weapons between U.S. and USSR Lowered tension between the countries for first time since WWII U.S. agreed to trade large amounts of grain/food to USSR. Did Nixon Succeed in the U.S.S.R.? Nixon successfully was able to limit production of missiles through a treaty for the first time with the U.S.S.R. He was able to open up foreign relations with a country that had been a tremendous enemy since 1945. Was able to ease tensions between the two superpowers and subsequently greatly lower global tensions through détente. But U.S. and USSR increased their study of defense systems By end of 1980s both had deployed 16,000 warheads. 8
Election of 1972 Nixon beats George McGovern 520-8. Détente, Peace at Hand (Vietnam) propelled Nixon to victory Overshadowed controversies at home and poor economy ARAB-ISRAELI RELATIONS Arab-Israeli Tensions Ever since Israel s declaration of independence in 1948, Arab nations had engaged in wars with the Jewish state of Israel, and none had opened up diplomatic relations with Israel by the 1970s. Arabs, especially Palestinians, considered Israeli territory theirs. Also, the holy city of Jerusalem was located within Israel s borders (holy to Muslims and people of Jewish faith). From the beginning, the United States had been Israel s steadfast ally. 9
The Six-Day War (1967) Israel had won a crushing victory against the Arabs in the Six-Day War of 1967, which expanded the nation s borders to include the Golan Heights, the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and the Sinai Peninsula. Therefore, they assumed that the Arabs would not dare to attack them again so soon. But the Arabs were as determined as ever to reclaim their territory and eliminate the Jewish state. Israeli Territorial Gains The pale blue indicates Israeli territory before the Six-Day War. The slightly darker blue indicates Israeli territorial gains. Clearly, the war resulted in massive border expansions, especially on the Sinai Peninsula. The Yom Kippur War (1973) On October 6, 1973, the Arab nations of Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack against Israel. The Arabs chose the date with a very specific reason in mind: it coincided with Yom Kippur, Judaism s holiest holiday. The Arabs correctly assumed that Israel would be most vulnerable on this day. Indeed, for the first two days of the war, the Israelis could not stop their enemies advance. The war lasted a mere 20 days, but the fighting was intense; thousands were slain. 10
American Involvement America actively supported Israel, both politically and militarily, from the beginning of the war. Nixon personally ordered that American arms be airlifted to Israel. The conflict also had the feel of a proxy war, since it pitted America-friendly Israel vs. Egypt and Syria, long under Soviet influence. The Oil Crisis As a response to highly effective American involvement in the war, Arab nations declared on October 19 that they would not sell oil to the U.S., because of its expressed support for Israel. Within a few months, the price of a barrel of oil quadrupled! This marked the first time Arab nations would use oil as a political and economic weapon. American Response to Oil Embargo 55 miles per hour speed limit Creation of the Alaskan pipeline Heavy use of coal power Nuclear power seemed a more viable option for cheaper energy Embargo lifted in 1974 U.S. increases involvement in Middle Eastern affairs 11
Effects of the War No territorial concessions were made; each side claimed victory for itself. Egypt drifted away from the Soviet Union and towards America, largely because of Kissinger s developing relationship with Egyptian President Anwar Sadat. Israel remained America s close ally; likewise, Syria retained its alignment with the U.S.S.R. As a result of the diplomatic shift, Egypt became more willing to negotiate with Israel. In 1978, the Camp David Accords would make Egypt the first Arab nation to formally recognize the Jewish state. The oil embargo had a devastating impact on the U.S. economy. Did Nixon Succeed in the Middle East? In keeping with the Nixon Doctrine, he stood by an American ally, providing aid and supplies, but not manpower, for a successful defense. With Kissinger s aid, he also reduced the Soviet sphere of influence, of which Egypt was no longer a part by war s end. Increased animosity between Arab Nations and the United States. Women s Rights in the 1970s Feminism: The belief that women should have equality with men The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan Discussed anger of women being treated as second class citizens Galvanized new women s rights movement National Organization of Women (NOW) founded in 1966 to pursue equal rights 12
Feminism and the Supreme Court 1972: Title IX of the Education Amendments (actually a law) Prohibited gender discrimination in federally assisted educational programs and activities 1973: Roe v. Wade said women had the right to choose an abortion during the first three months of pregnancy Nixon s Supreme Court During Nixon s first term in office, four of the nine Supreme Court justices either died, resigned, or retired. Warren Burger, Nixon s choice for Chief Justice, was a moderate. However, Nixon s later appointees reflected his conservative views. William H. Rehnquist was one of the appointees (later appointed Chief Justice under by Reagan). Supreme Court Cases Reed v. Reed and Frontiero v. Richardson (1971): sex discrimination in legislation and employment Roe v. Wade (1973): legalized abortion Milliken v. Bradley (1974): state integration plans could not force students to move across school district lines 13
Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Congress approved this amendment in 1972 Declared equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the U.s. or by a state on account of sex Phyllis Schlafly and other conservatives fought this amendment Did not get enough states to approve and amendment died in the early 1980s 14