Key Events and Policies of the Nixon and Reagan Eras

New Federalism

Nixon's plan to give more power and resources back to state and local governments.

Vietnamization

Nixon's policy of gradually withdrawing U.S. troops and turning the war over to South Vietnam.

Watergate Scandal

A political scandal that led to Nixon's resignation after a cover-up of a break-in at the DNC.

Saturday Night Massacre

The firing of special prosecutor Archibald Cox during the Watergate investigation.

Pentagon Papers

Leaked documents revealing the U.S. government misled the public about the Vietnam War.

Gerald Ford

The U.S. President who pardoned Nixon and led during the end of the Vietnam War.

Fall of Saigon

The capture of South Vietnam's capital in 1975, marking the end of the Vietnam War.

Disco

A popular genre of dance music in the 1970s associated with youth culture.

Energy Crisis

1970s shortage of oil that led to inflation and calls for energy conservation.

Jimmy Carter

President who focused on human rights and faced challenges like the Iran Hostage Crisis.

Iran Hostage Crisis

Event where American embassy workers were held hostage in Tehran for 444 days.

Human Rights Foreign Policy

Carter's approach to international relations emphasizing individual freedoms.

Conservative Movement

Political shift in the 1980s favoring limited government and traditional values.

Reaganomics

Economic policy of Reagan focusing on tax cuts, deregulation, and increased defense spending.

Ronald Reagan

40th U.S. President known for conservative policies and ending the Cold War.

Evil Empire

Term Reagan used to describe the Soviet Union early in his presidency.

Tear Down This Wall

Famous speech by Reagan urging Gorbachev to dismantle the Berlin Wall.

Mikhail Gorbachev

Soviet leader who introduced reforms and worked with Reagan to end the Cold War.

Détente

The easing of Cold War tensions, particularly during the Nixon administration.

Opening to China

Nixon's diplomatic visit to China to normalize relations and counter Soviet power.

Transparency

A key democratic principle emphasized after the Watergate scandal.

Cultural Shifts of 1970s

Increased focus on individualism, personal freedom, and youth expression.

Environmental Movement

Grew in response to energy crises, promoting conservation and renewable energy.

Economic Stagflation

A mix of stagnant growth and inflation experienced in the 1970s.

Cold War

The geopolitical tension between the U.S. and Soviet Union post-WWII to early 1990s.

End of Cold War

Marked by the fall of the Berlin Wall, dissolution of the USSR, and Reagan-Gorbachev diplomacy.

Transparency and Accountability

Public demand for open government following scandals like Watergate.

Reagan Military Buildup

Defense spending increase aimed at pressuring the Soviet Union.

Media and Watergate

Journalistic investigation that revealed government corruption and led to public mistrust.

Presidential Pardon

Ford's controversial decision to absolve Nixon of crimes related to Watergate.

Trickle Down Economics

economic theory that holds that financial benefits given to banks and large businesses will trickle down to smaller businesses and consumers

executive privilege

the privilege, claimed by the president for the executive branch of the US government, of withholding information in the public interest.

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Impeachment Process

Constitutional process for removing executive officers & judges for "treason, high crimes & misdemeanors" (whatever Congress thinks is impeachable). Two stages: (1) House decides to impeach (accuse) target (simple majority); (2) Senate holds trial to convict (2/3 majority). Andy Johnson and Bill Clinton were impeached but not convicted. Nixon resigned as Articles of Impeachment were being drafted!

Berlin Wall

A wall separating East and West Berlin built by East Germany in 1961 to keep citizens from escaping to the West

Peace Through Strength

Reagan's policy of combating communism by building up the military, including aggressive development of new weapons systems.

supply-side economics (Reaganomics)

Economic theory that tax cuts for individuals and businesses encourage investment and production (supply) and stimulate consumption (demand) because individuals can keep more of their earnings. In reality, supply-side economics created a massive federal budget deficit.

Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI)

Popularly known as "Star Wars," President Reagan's SDI proposed the construction of an elaborate computer-controlled, anti-missile defense system capable of destroying enemy missiles in outer spaced. Critics claimed that SDI could never be perfected.

OPEC oil embargo

1973 event where Arab oil producers cut exports to the U.S., causing gas shortages.

Camp David Accords

A peace agreement between Egypt and Israel brokered by Jimmy Carter in 1978.

Presidential Pardon

Ford's controversial decision to absolve Nixon of crimes related to Watergate.