Key Events and Policies of Nixon's Presidency

What was Nixon's background?

Self-made, lower-middle-class man; worked through college and law school.

Which committee was Nixon part of early in his career?

HUAC (House Un-American Activities Committee)

What famous speech saved Nixon's VP candidacy in 1952?

Checkers Speech

What foreign policy approach did Henry Kissinger and Nixon use?

Realpolitik

What country did Nixon visit in 1972 to ease tensions?

China (People's Republic of China)

What event symbolized warming U.S.-China relations in 1971?

Ping-Pong Diplomacy

What was the goal of Nixon visiting China and USSR?

Détente - easing Cold War tensions and pressuring North Vietnam

What was SALT I?

Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty - froze ICBM and ABM numbers

What federal agencies did Nixon create?

OSHA, DEA, EPA

What caused the 1973 oil crisis?

OPEC embargo after U.S. supported Israel in Yom Kippur War

Who did Nixon appeal to with 'Law and Order'?

Silent Majority

What was the Philadelphia Plan?

Affirmative action plan requiring minority hiring goals

What were the Pentagon Papers?

Leaked Vietnam War documents by Daniel Ellsberg

What was CREEP?

Committee to Re-Elect the President - used dirty tricks

What was the Watergate break-in?

Plumbers wiretapped DNC offices at Watergate Hotel

Who exposed the Watergate scandal?

Woodward and Bernstein of The Washington Post

Who was '***********'?

Mark Felt - FBI agent who leaked Watergate info

What was the Saturday Night Massacre?

Nixon fired special prosecutor Cox; others resigned

What did Nixon claim to avoid turning over tapes?

Executive privilege

What was the result of U.S. v. Nixon?

Supreme Court forced Nixon to release tapes

What were Nixon's impeachment charges?

Obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and defying Congress

When did Nixon resign?

August 8, 1974

Who became President after Nixon?

Gerald Ford

What did Ford do for Nixon?

Pardoned him

What was the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974?

Limited money people could donate to campaigns

What did Watergate prove about American democracy?

That checks and balances work