The Times They Are A’ Changing’ Part II Richard Nixon to Watergate 1968-1974

Flashcards covering Richard Nixon's presidency, foreign and domestic policies, and the Watergate scandal.

Election of 1968

Represented a political turning point; Americans associated Democrats with Vietnam, antiwar protests, and violence, signaling a Conservative Resurgence.

Nixon's Foreign Policy Goals

Reduce Cold War tension through strength and diplomacy, dealing directly with the Soviets, Chinese, and North Vietnamese.

Vietnamization

Nixon's program to gradually withdraw US forces from Vietnam while placing the burden of fighting on the South Vietnamese (ARVN).

Nixon Doctrine

America's Asian allies would receive US support but not active engagement by US ground forces.

Cambodian Incursion (1970)

Nixon's covert program of attacks on VC/NVA supply and refuge systems in neutral Laos and Cambodia.

Kent State and Jackson State Shootings (1970)

Antiwar protestors were killed by National Guard troops, igniting college campuses.

My Lai Massacre (1968)

US soldiers opened fire on a group of Vietnamese villagers, shocking Americans.

Pentagon Papers (1971)

Classified documents revealed the secret history of American involvement in Indochina and government deception regarding the war.

Paris Accords of 1973

Ended US involvement in Vietnam; US agreed to remove all troops in exchange for POWs, but the NVA was allowed to keep troops in the South

Nixon's Détente with China

Nixon opened diplomatic dialogue between the U.S. and Red China, leading to the U.S. formally recognizing Red China in 1979.

SALT I

US/USSR Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, in which both countries agreed to freeze the number of ballistic missiles carrying nuclear warheads.

New Federalism

Nixon's domestic program to shift responsibility for social programs back to the states through block grants.

Stagflation

Economic dilemma characterized by slow economic growth and rising inflation.

Title IX

Ended sex discrimination in institutions that received federal funding, especially in athletics.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Supreme Court decision that state laws prohibiting a woman’s right to an abortion were a violation of privacy.

War Powers Act (1973)

Limited the president's power over the military; required reporting to Congress within 48 hours of military action and Congressional approval for actions lasting over 60 days.

Yom Kippur War

Egyptian and Syrian troops invaded Israel, leading to US support and an OPEC oil embargo.

OPEC Oil Embargo

Arab members of OPEC placed an embargo on oil exports to supporters of Israel, causing an oil shortage and economic disruption in the US.

Watergate Scandal

Burglary at the Democratic National Party headquarters, cover-up, and abuse of power that led to Nixon's resignation.

CREEP

The Campaign to Re-Elect the President, which funded illegal activities and

Executive Privilege

The right of the president to withhold information from Congress or the courts. Claimed by Nixon to withhold the Watergate tapes, but rejected by the Supreme Court.

Deep Throat

Source within the Department of Justice, later revealed to be FBI associate director Mark Felt, who provided information to Woodward and Bernstein about Watergate.

Nixon's Détente with the Soviet Union

Nixon's meetings with Brezhnev resulted in agreements to ease tensions, including the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and SALT I.

Nixon's "War on Crime"

Nixon's program to combat crime, which included measures that were seen by critics to be authoritarian.

Nixon's Wage and Price Controls

The economic policy of the Nixon administration that was designed to address inflation.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Established the EPA, demonstrating commitment to environmental protection.

United States v. Nixon (1974)

Supreme Court case that ordered Nixon to surrender the Watergate tapes.

Nixon's Supreme Court Appointments

Nixon appointed conservatives such as Warren Burger to the Supreme Court, shifting the Court in a more conservative direction.

Ford's Pardon of Nixon

Ford pardoned Nixon for any crimes he may have committed while in office.