QUEST 1970s + Reagan

What was Nixon’s New Federalism?

New Federalism was Nixon’s domestic policy to shift power from the federal government back to the states. It included revenue sharing, where federal money was given to states to spend as they chose, and cuts to Great Society social programs. It appealed to voters tired of 1960s liberalism and unrest.

Why did Nixon emphasize “law and order”?

He wanted to respond to rising crime, anti‑war protests, and social unrest of the late 1960s. It helped him win support from voters who felt society was becoming chaotic

What is Realpolitik?

A foreign policy based on practical national interests, not ideology or moral goals. Nixon and Kissinger used it to negotiate with communist nations despite ideological differences.

What was Détente?

A Cold War strategy aimed at relaxing tensions between the U.S. and communist powers (China and the USSR) through diplomacy, arms control, and trade.

Why did Nixon open relations with China?

Exploit the Sino‑Soviet split

Pressure the USSR

Open trade opportunities

Reduce Cold War tensions

Help end the Vietnam War

This began with ping‑pong diplomacy, followed by Nixon’s historic 1972 visit.

What was the purpose of SALT I (1972)?

SALT I (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) froze the number of ICBMs and was the first major nuclear arms treaty. It symbolized the success of détente.

What happened in the Watergate break‑in?

On June 17, 1972, five burglars were arrested inside the Democratic National Committee HQ. One, James McCord, worked for the Republican Party. Nixon denied involvement, but the cover‑up unraveled.

Who exposed Watergate?

Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, with help from “Deep Throat,” kept the story alive despite political pressure.

What was the ruling in U.S. v. Nixon (1974)?

The Supreme Court ruled Nixon must release the Oval Office tapes and that executive privilege does NOT apply in criminal investigations

What was the Smoking Gun Tape?

A tape proving Nixon:

Approved hush money

Tried to use the CIA to block the FBI

Contained an 18½‑minute gap

This destroyed his remaining support.

What were the three Articles of Impeachment?

1. Obstruction of justice

2. Abuse of power

3. Contempt of Congress

Why did Nixon resign?

Republican leaders told him he would lose the Senate vote. On August 9, 1974, he became the first president to resign.

What were the effects of Watergate?

30+ officials jailed

Massive loss of trust in government

Campaign finance reforms

Strengthened checks & balances

Proved the Constitution could remove an abusive president

How did Gerald Ford damage his presidency?

He pardoned Nixon, which made the public think he was part of a deal.

What is feminism?

“Inherently, feminism is about having CHOICES.”

It means equal political, economic, and social rights for women.

What issues did 2nd wave feminists fight for?

Equal political, social, and employment opportunities

Inspired by Civil Rights Movement

Middle‑class women

Sparked by birth control pill (1960)

These issues remain relevant today.

What did the Equal Pay Act (1963) do?

It banned sex‑based wage discrimination. At the time, women earned 58.9% of men’s wages.

What is NOW and why was it founded?

The National Organization for Women (1966) was founded by 28 women including Betty Friedan to bring women into “full participation… in truly equal partnership with men.”

They used lawsuits, lobbying, and marches.

What are two major Gloria Steinem quotes?

“I have yet to hear a man ask for advice on how to combine marriage and a career.”

“We’ve begun to raise daughters more like sons… but few have the courage to raise our sons more like our daughters.”

What does Title IX do?

Bans sex discrimination in education for any school receiving federal funds.

Used for:

Equal athletic opportunities

Equal access to education

Addressing campus sexual assault and rape culture

What was the Roe v. Wade decision?

Based on right to privacy

Fetus = “potential life,” not a person

No independent rights

Abortion allowed in first 2 trimesters

3rd trimester allowed only to protect mother’s life

Overturned by Dobbs v. Jackson (2022) → states now decide abortion laws.

What was the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)?

Text: “Equality of rights… shall not be denied… on account of sex.”

Problem: ratification deadline expired in 1982.

Opposed by Phyllis Schlafly and the New Right.

What are the key issues of 4th wave feminism?

Technology & social media

DEI

Glass ceiling / equal pay

Street & workplace harassment

Campus sexual assault (Title IX)

Body shaming

De facto discrimination (stereotypes)

What is the status of women in education?

Women graduate college at higher rates and dominate fields like health, social services, education, psychology, and arts.

Men dominate higher‑paying fields like STEM and finance.

What is the gender pay gap in 2025?

Women: $56,600

Men: $68,952

Gap: 18.6%

What is the status of women in Congress (119th, 2025)?

Senate: 26 women

House: 125 women

Most ever, but still not equal.

Why important?

→ “Because politicians make/change the law!!”

What is DEI?

A framework promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion to ensure fair treatment and representation.

More voices = better solutions.

What was the New Right?

REAGAN: A coalition of religious conservatives (Moral Majority) and economic conservatives.

Values: anti‑abortion, anti‑drug, pro‑traditional family, small government.

Why was Reagan’s 1980 win significant?

“Political shift to the right”

Reagan = “Great Communicator”

Goal: limited government

Quote: “Man is not free unless its government is limited.”

What were the three tiers of Reaganomics?

1. Tax cuts (supply‑side)

2. Budget cuts (except middle‑class entitlements)

3. Defense spending increase (nearly doubled)

What is trickle‑down economics?

The idea that tax cuts for the wealthy and businesses will “trickle down” to everyone through investment and job creation.

What were the results of Reaganomics?

Early recession → strong recovery

Rich got richer

Poor increased

Middle class stagnated

National debt exploded

Why did Reagan call the USSR the “Evil Empire”?

He believed the USSR threatened freedom and peace, and that only military strength could contain communism.

What was SDI (“Star Wars”)?

A proposed space‑based missile defense system designed to force the USSR to overspend and collapse economically.

Why did the Cold War end?

USSR weakened by:

Economic collapse

Afghanistan war

Gorbachev’s Perestroika (restructuring)

Glasnost (openness)

Reagan and Gorbachev met four times to reduce tensions.

What was the significance of Reagan’s Berlin Wall speech?

He challenged Gorbachev to prove he supported freedom:

“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

Symbolized the decline of communism.

How did Reagan handle the AIDS crisis?

Did not address AIDS until 1987

Surgeon General mailed AIDS info to 107 million households

Reagan initially framed AIDS as affecting only “gay men and drug users”

What was the War on Drugs?

Crack epidemic

Harsh mandatory minimums

Nancy Reagan: “Just Say No”

Led to mass incarceration, especially in inner cities

How did Reagan affect education and poverty?

Cut social programs

Increased inequality

Emphasized personal responsibility