Political Turmoil and Economic Challenges in the 1970s

Vietnam War

Caused discontent in Democratic Party and anti-war movement.

Democratic Party Image

Harmed by Vietnam War and left-wing perceptions.

Dissensions

Internal conflicts within the Democratic Party during 1968.

Bob Kennedy

Prominent figure who declined anti-war candidate support.

Eugene McCarthy

Minnesota senator who campaigned on anti-war platform.

Hubert Humphrey

Represented mainstream pro-war opinion in 1968 primaries.

Johnson's Withdrawal

Announced exit from race on television in March 1968.

Yippies

Youth International Party promoting anti-war protests.

George Wallace

Southern Democrat known for segregationist policies.

Segregation Forever

Wallace's motto emphasizing his pro-segregation stance.

Nixon's Campaign

Appealed to silent majority and working-class voters.

Republican Party Gains

Nixon's victory reflected conservative backlash against 1960s.

Nixon's Margin

Won election by a slim margin against Humphrey.

Wallace's Popular Vote

Received 13% of votes, winning five southern states.

Political Stability

Democrats maintained strong Congressional presence post-election.

Conservative Backlash

Voter shift against social movements of the 1960s.

Electorate Majority

Voters preferred stability over social change.

Anti-War Candidate

Dissident Democrats sought support for McCarthy in 1968.

Protests at Convention

Riots and violence occurred outside 1968 Democratic convention.

Federal Deficit

Increased due to Vietnam War expenditures.

Rising Inflation

Economic issue exacerbated by the Vietnam War.

Mainstream Opinion

Humphrey represented traditional Democratic views during primaries.

Nixon's Presidency

1969-1974, focused on conservative values.

Silent Majority

Conservative electorate Nixon aimed to represent.

Domestic Policy Contradiction

Nixon's policies mixed conservative and progressive elements.

Office of Economic Opportunity

Abolished by Nixon, key anti-poverty program.

Supreme Court Appointments

Nixon appointed four justices, shifting court's ideology.

Roe v. Wade

1973 decision legalized abortion based on privacy rights.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Established rigorous environmental regulations under Nixon.

Affirmative Action Program

Nixon's Philadelphia program for federally funded projects.

Black Capitalism

Nixon's approach to economic opportunities for African Americans.

FBI Campaign of Repression

Targeted civil rights organizations under Nixon's administration.

Vietnam War Impact

Democrats retained Congress due to war's unpopularity.

Détente

Nixon's policy to ease tensions with USSR.

Henry Kissinger

Nixon's Secretary of State, key foreign policy figure.

Multipower International Structure

Nixon's vision of a global order beyond bipolarity.

China Outreach

Nixon's strategy to engage with communist China.

Paris Peace Agreement

Signed January 1973, aimed to end Vietnam War.

Saigon Evacuation

April 30, 1975, marked end of American presence.

Federal Spending Increase

Nixon's spending rose 10% annually, surpassing predecessors.

School Desegregation Legislation

Nixon attempted to limit federal intervention in schools.

Conservative Criticism of Détente

Some Republicans opposed Nixon's accommodation with enemies.

New International Order

Nixon's goal to adapt US foreign policy globally.

Nixon Shock

1971 policy ending dollar-gold standard link.

Oil Shock 1973

Iraq's oil production cut caused US gas shortages.

Stagflation

Economic condition of inflation and stagnation combined.

Watergate Scandal

Political scandal leading to Nixon's resignation.

Gerald Ford

Nixon's successor who pardoned him post-resignation.

Public Trust

Fell to historic lows after Watergate in 1974.

Crisis of Confidence

Carter's term marked by national economic disillusionment.

New Economic Policy

Nixon's strategy to combat economic crisis in 1971.

Balance of Payments

1971 marked first negative balance in 200 years.

1976 Election

Carter won due to public discontent with Ford.

Democratic Shift

Black voters began supporting Democrats post-1970.

Carter Administration

Shifted from New Deal policies to deregulation.

Monetarist Policies

Carter's approach to control money supply and inflation.

Interest Rates

Surged to 20% under Carter's monetary policy.

De-industrialization

Sharp decline in manufacturing, especially in the Rust Belt.

Second Energy Crisis

1979 oil shock causing renewed gas shortages.

Austerity Policies

Ford's response to stagflation through reduced spending.

Postal Strike 1970

Major labor strike leading to wage increases.

1972 Presidential Election

Nixon won despite Watergate revelations.

CIA Expansion

Increased covert operations during Cold War era.

Economic Crisis

1970s characterized by strikes and inflation.

Public Spending Cuts

Carter's policies included reductions in government spending.

Rust Belt

Region affected by de-industrialization and job losses.