Richard Nixon: Presidency, Policies, and Watergate Scandal

What was Richard Nixon's campaign slogan during the 1968 presidential election?

Nixon presented himself as the candidate of 'law and order'.

Who did Nixon target in his 1968 campaign?

Moderate, middle-class Americans known as the 'silent majority'.

What were the five major issues outlined in Nixon's campaign pamphlet 'The Nixon Stand'?

1. Winning the peace (ending the Vietnam War with honor). 2. Fighting rising crime. 3. Progress with order. 4. Preventing runaway government. 5. Respect for America.

What year was Richard Nixon born and where?

Nixon was born in 1913 in Yorba Linda, California.

What military service did Nixon participate in during World War II?

He served in the U.S. Navy.

What political positions did Nixon hold before becoming President?

He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1946, promoted to the U.S. Senate in 1950, and served as Vice President from 1953 to 1960.

What was a significant outcome of Nixon's 1960 presidential campaign?

He lost narrowly to Democrat John F. Kennedy.

What did Nixon famously say after losing the 1962 California gubernatorial election?

He stated, 'You won't have Nixon to kick around anymore,' suggesting he would retire from politics.

What major events characterized the turbulent 1968 election year?

Lyndon B. Johnson announced he would not seek reelection, and the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy occurred.

Who was George Wallace and what did he represent in the 1968 election?

Wallace was the former governor of Alabama, running under the American Independent Party, opposing civil rights legislation and appealing to Southern white voters.

What was the significance of the Democratic National Convention in 1968?

It became a symbol of political disorder with violent clashes between antiwar protesters and police, and Hubert Humphrey secured the nomination amidst deep party divisions.

How did Nixon position himself in contrast to the Democratic Party during the 1968 election?

He positioned himself as a calm, rational leader who could restore order and uphold traditional American values.

What issues did Nixon's campaign address to appeal to voters?

Nixon addressed public fears about drugs, crime, campus revolts, racial discord, and draft resistance.

What was Nixon's 'Southern Strategy'?

Nixon aimed to capitalize on the political opportunity in the South, which had traditionally voted Democratic.

Who was Nixon's running mate in the 1968 election and why was he chosen?

Spiro Agnew, chosen to appeal to conservative voters.

What key message did Nixon emphasize to appeal to Southern whites?

States' rights, which was a dog-whistle message opposing federal civil rights laws.

What was Nixon's stance on the size of the federal government?

He promised a smaller federal government and respect for local control.

What percentage of the popular vote did Nixon win in the 1968 election?

43.4%.

What was the significance of George Wallace in the 1968 election?

He carried five Southern states, demonstrating the appeal of segregationist and populist rhetoric.

What limitation did Nixon face after winning the presidency in 1968?

Democrats retained control of Congress, limiting his ability to pass policies without bipartisan support.

What was Nixon's approach to bridging the divide between conservatives and liberals?

He aimed to appeal to conservatives by reducing federal government influence and to liberals by expanding social welfare programs.

What was the core proposal of Nixon's New Federalism?

Revenue sharing, which gave federal tax money to state and local governments for flexible use.

What was the purpose of OSHA and when was it founded?

Founded in 1971, OSHA is responsible for protecting workers' health and safety.

What did the EPA address and when was it created?

Created in 1970, the EPA addressed pollution, smog, and unsafe drinking water.

How did Nixon support low-income Americans regarding food assistance?

He increased funding for Social Security and expanded the Food Stamp Program.

What was the Family Assistance Plan (FAP) proposed by Nixon?

A plan to replace the welfare system with a guaranteed minimum income for poor families, requiring work in exchange for aid.

What was the outcome of Nixon's Family Assistance Plan?

It failed due to opposition from both conservatives and liberals.

What contradictory actions did Nixon take regarding civil rights?

He attempted to nominate segregationist judges to the Supreme Court and proposed weakening the Voting Rights Act.

What was the Philadelphia Plan and its purpose?

It required government contractors to hire a minimum number of minority workers to expand economic opportunities.

What was the impact of the 1973 Oil Embargo?

It caused gasoline shortages and high prices, exposing U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

What legislation was passed in response to the 1973 Oil Embargo?

The National Maximum Speed Law, requiring states to adopt a 55 mph speed limit to receive federal highway funds.

What economic phenomenon characterized the U.S. in the early 1970s?

Stagflation, a combination of stagnant economic growth and rising inflation.

What is stagflation?

A situation where the economy is stagnant while inflation is high.

What was Nixon's Phase I response to stagflation?

Phase I involved freezing wages and prices for 90 days to stop rising costs.

What did Nixon's Phase II response entail?

Phase II created a federal agency to set wage and price limits to keep inflation in check.

What was the outcome of Nixon's Phase III response to stagflation?

Phase III switched to voluntary guidelines instead of strict controls, resulting in the worst inflation spike since WWII.

How did Nixon attempt to fight unemployment during stagflation?

Nixon increased government spending, which helped a bit but also added to inflation.

What was Nixon's foreign policy philosophy shift?

Nixon shifted from ideals to practicality, moving away from constant confrontation with communism toward peaceful coexistence.

What is realpolitik in the context of Nixon's foreign policy?

Realpolitik is a German term meaning 'politics of reality,' focusing on practical national interests rather than spreading American ideals.

Who was Nixon's chief foreign policy adviser?

Henry Kissinger was Nixon's chief foreign policy adviser and a key partner in developing his realistic strategy.

What did the Nixon Doctrine state?

The Nixon Doctrine stated that the U.S. would protect its allies from nuclear attacks but expected them to defend themselves in regional conflicts.

What was Vietnamization?

Vietnamization was Nixon's strategy of withdrawing American troops from Vietnam while training and equipping South Vietnamese forces.

How did Nixon apply the Nixon Doctrine in the Middle East?

Nixon avoided sending U.S. troops to the Persian Gulf, instead providing military aid to Iran and Saudi Arabia to manage regional stability.

What was the significance of the Yom Kippur War in 1973?

The Yom Kippur War involved Arab nations attacking Israel and had global consequences, including an oil embargo.

What was the impact of the oil embargo during the energy crisis?

The oil embargo triggered an energy crisis in America, causing gas shortages, inflation, and new conservation measures.

What does détente mean?

Détente is a French term meaning 'relaxation of tensions,' used by Nixon and Kissinger to reduce hostilities with communist nations.

What were the mixed reactions to détente?

Conservatives viewed détente as a betrayal of anti-communist ideals, while liberals generally supported it for reducing nuclear war risks.

What was the U.S. stance on Communist China before Nixon?

Since 1949, the U.S. refused to recognize Communist China's government and had no diplomatic relations for over two decades.

Why did Nixon change the U.S. approach to China?

Nixon recognized that China represented one-fifth of the world's population and hoped to use better relations to pressure the Soviets.

What was 'Ping-Pong Diplomacy'?

'Ping-Pong Diplomacy' refers to the 1971 invitation for a U.S. table tennis team to visit China, symbolizing a shift toward better relations.

What was the significance of Kissinger's secret trip to China?

Kissinger's secret trip was to plan a summit that led to Nixon's historic visit to China in 1972.

What was notable about Nixon's visit to China in 1972?

Nixon became the first U.S. president to visit a communist country, marking a significant diplomatic breakthrough.

What significant diplomatic relations did Nixon establish in 1979?

Full diplomatic relations between the U.S. and China.

What was the outcome of Nixon's visit to China?

China replaced Taiwan in the United Nations and gained a permanent seat.

What was the purpose of Nixon's visit to Moscow in May 1972?

To address Soviet fears of U.S.-China ties and seek American economic aid.

What was the Grain Deal between the U.S. and the USSR?

The U.S. agreed to sell $750 million worth of grain to the USSR over three years.

What did SALT I aim to achieve?

To limit the number of nuclear missiles each side could have.

How many missiles did the USSR and USA have under SALT I?

USSR: 1,618 missiles; USA: 1,054 missiles.

Why did the U.S. accept fewer missiles than the USSR in SALT I?

Because their missiles were more technologically advanced.

What types of missiles were covered under SALT I?

ICBMs (Intercontinental ballistic missiles) and SLBMs (Submarine-launched ballistic missiles).

How did the U.S. and USSR monitor compliance with SALT I?

Using spy satellites with cameras to monitor missile sites.

What was the Statement of Basic Principles signed by Nixon and Brezhnev?

A declaration that both superpowers would try to avoid military confrontations in the future.

What was Nixon's view of the year 1972 in terms of global peace?

He believed it would be remembered as a turning point when America led the world toward peace.

What actions by the Soviets renewed distrust during détente?

Supporting conflicts in developing countries and adding multiple warheads to missiles.

What did Nixon declare drugs to be in 1971?

Public enemy number one.

What agency did Nixon create in 1973 to combat drug issues?

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

What classification did Nixon's administration give to marijuana?

Schedule I drug, meaning no accepted medical use and high potential for abuse.

What were the consequences of classifying marijuana as a Schedule I drug?

Severe prison sentences for even minor possession or use.

What did John Ehrlichman reveal about the War on Drugs in a 1994 interview?

It was a political tool targeting the antiwar left and Black Americans.

What two groups did Nixon's administration view as threats?

The antiwar left (like student protesters and hippies) and Black Americans involved in civil rights movements.

How did Nixon's administration associate drugs with specific communities?

By criminalizing marijuana for hippies and heroin for Black Americans to disrupt those communities.

What was the broader context of Nixon's 'War on Crime'?

It involved increased policing and surveillance, especially in poor, urban Black communities.

What was the perceived impact of Nixon's policies on civil rights movements?

Historians view them as a reaction to the growing power of Black activists and anti-war protesters.

What was a key criticism of the War on Drugs according to historians?

It was not a neutral fight against crime but rather a targeted political strategy.

What did Nixon's optimism about détente fail to account for?

The continued Soviet support for conflicts and military advancements that renewed distrust.

What was the purpose of framing the War on Drugs according to the notes?

To allow the government to arrest protest leaders, break up community organizing efforts, and portray entire groups as criminal on national television.

How did Nixon's War on Drugs impact Black communities?

It increased police presence in inner cities, skyrocketed arrests and incarceration rates for nonviolent drug offenses, and destabilized entire communities.

What was a significant outcome of Nixon's War on Drugs?

It expanded the prison system and laid the foundation for mass incarceration in the U.S., particularly in communities of color.

What event initiated the Watergate scandal?

The break-in at the Democratic National Committee's office on June 17, 1972.

What distinguished the Watergate burglars from typical criminals?

They wore suits instead of ski masks and had wiretapping equipment.

What was the connection between the Watergate burglars and Nixon's campaign?

The burglars were part of a secretive group called the 'plumbers' hired by Nixon's reelection campaign.

What pattern of behavior did Nixon exhibit regarding presidential power?

He created an 'enemies list,' ordered illegal wiretaps, and formed the plumbers team to silence leaks.

What was the purpose of the plumbers team?

To investigate and silence individuals who leaked government secrets, such as the Pentagon Papers.

How did Nixon's administration attempt to cover up the Watergate break-in?

They paid the burglars and tried to silence them, which was uncovered by reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein.

What role did Congress play in the Watergate scandal?

Congress appointed a special prosecutor, Archibald Cox, and held televised hearings with testimonies from former Nixon staffers.

What significant evidence did one aide reveal during the Senate hearings?

That Nixon secretly recorded all Oval Office conversations.

What was Nixon's response when ordered to turn over the tapes?

He claimed 'executive privilege' to keep some conversations secret.

What was the 'Saturday Night Massacre'?

The event where Nixon fired Special Prosecutor Cox, leading to the resignation of his Attorney General and deputy.

Why did Vice President Spiro Agnew resign?

For bribery and tax evasion charges from his time as governor of Maryland.

Who replaced Spiro Agnew as Vice President?

Gerald Ford, a congressman from Michigan.

What was the Supreme Court's ruling in United States v. Nixon?

That Nixon had to hand over the tapes, affirming that even presidents are not above the law.

What was the impact of Nixon's War on Drugs on community perception?

It shifted public perception, portraying entire communities as criminal.

What was the effect of increased police presence in inner cities due to Nixon's policies?

It led to a rise in arrests and incarceration rates for nonviolent drug offenses.

What did the Watergate scandal reveal about Nixon's administration?

It exposed a pattern of abuse of power and attempts to cover up illegal activities.

How did the Watergate scandal escalate from a burglary to a national crisis?

As investigations revealed deeper connections to Nixon's campaign and cover-up efforts.

What role did the media play in uncovering the Watergate scandal?

Reporters like Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein investigated and reported on the scandal, leading to public awareness.

What constitutional issue arose from Nixon's claim of executive privilege?

It created a clash between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches regarding the limits of presidential power.

What was the significance of the tapes in the Watergate investigation?

They could provide evidence of Nixon's involvement in the cover-up.

What did the released tapes prove about Nixon's actions after the Watergate break-in?

Nixon had ordered the cover-up just six days after the break-in.

When did Nixon resign from the presidency?

August 8, 1974.