2. Nixon Elected 1968 (Law & order) Spoke of the “Silent Majority” Paranoid at times (enemies list) Created a stronger executive Tried to end inflation (90 day price controls, 1971; 60 day 1973) OPEC & Oil crisis (1973) New Federalism (states spent $) Southern Strategy (Slowed Civil Rights enforcement)—won over Southern white Democrats
3. Watergate Nixon’s paranoia started this (Enemies List; wiretaps; tax audits) 1972 election: CREP (Plumbers ordered a break-in of the DNC) Security Guard found them, 5 were arrested Nixon’s initial response—denial No one noticed; Woodward & Bernstein kept story alive
4. Ford Presidency “I’m a Ford, not a Lincoln” Almost immediately pardoned Nixon (deal?) Meant to move the country forward; killed his goodwill w/Dems and Americans Stagflation Whip Inflation Now (WIN) War Powers Act (48 hours/60 days)
5. Carter Presidency Why he won: he was an outsider Why he failed as a president: he was an outsider Biggest issues—inflation & energy crisis Increased spending & money supply—inflation up Reaction: decrease spending; unemployment rose Deregulation of gov’t controls Created Energy Department; focused on conservation
6. His Energy Plan Tax gas guzzlers Power utilities use fuels OTHER than gas & oil (Coal) Tax credits for homeowners who insulate & use solar energy Fund alternative energy resources other than coal & oil What changed this: energy prices dropped; Three Mile Island
7. Middle East Camp David Accords (Sadat and Begin): Israel withdrew from Sinai Peninsula; Egypt recognized them as a nation Biggest problem: Iran US supported the Shah of Iran (Cold War coup) Shah was cruel (secret police) Islamic Revolution 1978 Ayatollah Khomeini sought to get back at the US
