Nixon, Ford, Carter

Silent Majority

Americans who paid taxes, did not demonstrate, and desired a restoration of law and order.

Middle America

A term referring to the Silent Majority; people tired of liberal protesters and angry over riots.

New Federalism

Nixon's domestic policy aimed at reducing federal spending and increasing state control.

The Southern Strategy

An effort by Nixon to sway southern voters to the Republican Party in the 1968 election.

Revenue Sharing

Distribution of a portion of federal tax money to state and local governments.

Nixon Doctrine

U.S. policy to assist allies but with an expectation that they take more responsibility for their defense.

Détente

A policy aimed at relaxing tensions between the U.S., the Soviet Union, and China.

Paris Peace Accords

Negotiated cease-fire between the U.S. and Vietnam initiated by Henry Kissinger.

SALT

Strategic Arms Limitation Talks: meetings between the U.S. and the Soviet Union to limit nuclear arms. Carter was involved in Salt II.

Gerald Ford

The President who succeeded Nixon.

Iran Hostage Crisis

A diplomatic crisis where 52 Americans were held hostage in Iran for 444 days.

OPEC

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, founded by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela.

Camp David Accords

A peace agreement negotiated by Carter between Israel and Egypt.

Human Rights

Carter's belief in dealing truthfully and fairly with other countries regarding human rights issues.

Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education

Supreme Court case upholding busing to promote desegregation.

Affirmative Action

Policies that encourage recruitments of African Americans in institutions doing federal business.

Indian Civil Rights Act

Legislation guaranteeing reservation residents the protection of the Bill of Rights.

Architectural Barriers Act

Mandated accessibility for persons with disabilities in federally funded new buildings.

Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities by entities receiving federal funds.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Bans discrimination against persons with disabilities in various spheres including employment and public services.

Ayatollah Khomeini

Leader of Iran after the Shah was forced to flee, marking a shift in Iranian power.

Carter's rescue attempt

Failed military operation to rescue American hostages in Iran, worsening public perception of Carter.

Nixon’s Environmental Policies

Initiatives including the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Clean Air Act of 1970.

Rachel Carson's Silent Spring

Book highlighting the dangers of pesticides on the environment.

Reverse discrimination

Criticism faced in the case of Affirmative Action vs. Regents of the University of California v. Bakke.

Court ruling on racial quotas

Declared racial quotas unconstitutional but permitted consideration of race in admissions.

Economic downturn of the 1970s

A period of economic struggle during Carter's presidency affected by the oil embargo.

Nobel Peace Prize

Award received by Carter in 2002 for his international peace efforts.

Busing

A method used to promote racial integration in schools, central to the Swann case.

Iran's support of the Shah

U.S. support for the Shah due to his role as a major oil supplier and buffer against USSR.

Carter's Panama Canal policy

Carter's decision to hand over control of the Panama Canal to Panama.

Embargo on Soviet grain

A reaction to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan during Carter’s presidency.

Impact of Nixon's Federalism

Aim to give states more control by eliminating certain federal programs.

U.S. support of Israel

American backing of Israel in conflicts due to cultural and political ties post-WWII.

Peace with Honor

Nixon's campaign message regarding the Vietnam War.

Conservative court appointments

Strategy used by Nixon to gain Southern support, promising to appoint conservatives.

Law and Order

Nixon's pledge to restore order by targeting radicals and criminals while limiting the rights of the accused. Also, a coded appeal to white voters frustrated with civil rights protests and urban unrest.

Carter's foreign policy approach

Emphasis on transparency, human rights, and peaceful negotiation during international conflict.

SADC member nations

Countries in Southern Africa that participated in establishing the regional organization.

U.S.' role in Middle East conflict

To support Israel primarily influenced by historical and religious ties.

Impact of riots on voter sentiment

Created demand for candidates promoting law and order policies.

1976 election significance

Marked the transition from Ford to Carter and reflected a desire for change from politics as usual.

Carter's image as an outsider

Contributed to his popularity as a candidate who was not a Washington insider.

Carter's relationship with the Shah

Complex, rooted in U.S. interests in Iranian oil and opposition to Soviet expansion.

Impact of U.S.-Iran relations

Led to the hostage crisis resulting from allowing the Shah entry to the United States.

Nixon’s legacy in education

Defined by initiatives to acknowledge and address educational inequalities through policies like busing.

Public reaction to Nixon's domestic policies

Varied, with some embracing New Federalism while others criticized it.

Economic challenges during Carter's presidency

Influenced by external events like the OPEC oil embargo and Iranian turmoil.

Carter's Peace Negotiation efforts

Demonstrated his commitment to diplomacy, exemplified by the Camp David Accords.

Carter's humanitarian focus

Expressed through his support for human rights in foreign policy.

Key factors in Gerald Ford’s presidency

Derived from Nixon's resignation and subsequent pardoning of Nixon.

American sentiment post-Nixon

Characterized by a desire for stability and a return to traditional values.

Reactions to the Vietnam War

Led to a shift in public opinion, influencing Nixon's policies and campaigns.

Environmental awareness in the 1970s

Gained momentum with works like Silent Spring and legislative actions reducing pollution.

Consequences of the Nixon Doctrine

Influenced U.S. foreign policy by limiting military involvement in conflicts.

Carter's negotiation failures

Highlighted by the unsuccessful rescue of hostages during the Iran Hostage Crisis.

Political legacy of Affirmative Action

Continues to provoke debate regarding fairness in college admissions and employment.

Watergate Scandal

Led to

• Nixon’s resignation (first U.S. president to resign)

• Loss of public trust in government

• Ford’s controversial pardon of Nixon

WIN (Whip Inflation Now)

Ford’s plan to combat inflation, often mocked and seen as ineffective. Important to understanding Ford’s domestic policies.

Stagflation

A key term for understanding the 1970s economy: high inflation + stagnant growth + high unemployment = economic headache.

Three Mile Island Incident (1979)

Nuclear power plant meltdown in Pennsylvania → growing fears over nuclear energy + decline in support for it.

Department of Energy & Department of Education (Carter)

Carter created these two federal departments—relevant for domestic policy.

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan (1979)

Major Cold War moment → ended détente, U.S. boycotted the 1980 Olympics.

Vietnamization

Nixon’s plan to gradually withdraw U.S. troops from Vietnam and replace them with South Vietnamese forces.

Trump Doctrine Comparison

Both doctrines reflect a desire to reduce U.S. military burdens by expecting allies to take greater responsibility for their own defense.

Three Mile Island

Key environmental crisis in the 1970s related to energy and public fear of nuclear power.

Pentagon Papers

Leaked documents showing U.S. government deception about the Vietnam War. Fueled distrust in government, especially under Nixon.

Title IX (1972)

Important civil rights law ensuring gender equality in education and sports.

War Powers Act (1973)

Congressional response to the Vietnam War limiting presidential war-making powers.

Energy Crisis (1973, 1979)

Tied to OPEC, U.S. faced gas shortages, rationing, and a shift in energy policy.

SALT I and II Difference

I. First agreement (1972) between the U.S. and USSR to limit the number of nuclear weapons and launchers.

II. Second treaty (1979) aimed at reducing nuclear weapons; never ratified due to Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

Affirmative Action Connection to UC Regents v. Bakke (1978)

The court ruled racial quotas unconstitutional but allowed race to be one factor in admissions—affirmative action upheld with limits.