Search for Stability

Chapter 31

Nixon’s Foreign PolicyChapter 31 Section 1

Easing the Cold War Nixon wanted a more stable world

Reach out to Soviet Union and China Détente – relaxing international tensions Balance of power – distribute authority

US, Europe, China, Japan, Soviet Union

ACTIVITY Do we have a balance of power in the world

today? Why? What countries would you say are a part of

the balance of power?

Easing the Cold War Cont… Nixon wanted to visit China

US ping-pong team invited to China (1971) 1972 Nixon goes to China – trade/diplomacy

Nixon takes trip to Soviet Union Begins trade SALT 1 – Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty

Limits nuclear weapons, slow arms race

Middle East Tensions arise in Israel

Fights between Israelis and Arabs (Palestinians) cause major problems

Yom Kippur War Egypt and Syria attack Israel

Sov. Un. backs Arabs, US backs Israel Arab countries place an embargo on US oil

Ban on shipments Conflict quickly settled through diplomacy

Peaceful negotiations

Nixon and WatergateChapter 31 Section 2

Domestic Goals

1. Giving more power to the states

2. Affirmative Action – giving more jobs to minorities in areas they were once excluded

3. Stop inflation – a rise in prices

4. Solve the energy crisis

Election of 1972 Nixon wins a landslide victory over George

McGovern Nixon received over 90% of electoral votes

Watergate June 17, 1972 a security guard discovered

burglars @ the Watergate office complex “Plumbers” connected to Nixon campaign Democratic Party had offices in the building

Burglars convicted, controversy continues Tapes of secret conversations with Nixon linked

him to robbery Nixon was going after Democratic

campaign plans

Impact of Watergate Watergate Scandal much bigger than

originally thought to be Nixon resigns before he can be kicked out

of office Americans lose even more trust in gov’t Freedom of Information Act – citizens get

more access to gov’t documents

Activity As an American, should we have full

knowledge of what our government is doing? Explain.

A Time for HealingChapter 31 Section 3

Ford takes over Gerald Ford takes the office of president

when Nixon resigns Gives a full pardon to Nixon – highly unpopular

Assignment Read Pages 892-895 Take notes

Create an outline Use the Cornell Format

When finished raise your hand Complete reading questions

More controversy for Ford FBI & CIA found spying on Americans

new regulations on these offices

Ford gives amnesty to draft dodgers Protection from criminal charges

American’s loose even more faith in gov’t

Economy continues to fail Inflation continues Underemployment – people working jobs

they are overqualified for High oil prices Ford’s plan – WIN (Whip Inflation Now)

American’s need to save money

Election of 1976 Ford vs. Jimmy Carter

Carter wins a very close race

Jimmy CarterChapter 31 Section 4

Problems from the get-go Economy

Inflation/Unemployment – not a good combination Carter cut taxes and raised gov’t spending

Cut unemployment but inflation soared Energy crisis

Trade deficit – imports exceed exports High oil prices causing inflation

Exploring alternative fuels Concerns about nuclear power (3 Mile Island)

Foreign Affairs Carter based his policy on human rights

How people are treated by the gov’t Carter withdrew support from many countries in

Africa and South America US gives Panama Canal to Panama Israel & Egypt reach peace agreement More problems with Soviet Union

1980 Olympics, Sov. Un. Invades Afghanistan

Iran Hostage Crisis Iran was major US ally New leader – Ayatollah Khomeini

Islamic fundamentalist – strict obedience to religious laws

EXTREMISM Nov. 1979 – a group of fundamentalist-

extremists take 52 Americans hostage US attempts to free hostages fail