Watergate and the \"Malaise\" of the 1970s

Watergate and the \"Malaise\" of the 1970s

Social Movements

  • Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta:

    • Leaders in the United Farm Workers.

    • Led strikes and boycotts for better conditions for Mexican and Filipino farm workers.

    • Succeeded in greater protections, but Chavez conflicted with undocumented workers.

  • American Indian Movement (AIM):

    • Addressed the \"termination\" policy of assimilation.

    • Protests led to a shift towards self-determination, but discrimination persisted.

  • Alcatraz Occupation:

    • AIM members occupied Alcatraz in 1969, citing a treaty.

    • Raised awareness but was not sustainable.

Prisons in the U.S.

  • Modern prisons and policing emerged in the late 19th century.

  • Early 20th-century penology focused on rehabilitation.

  • Attica Prison Riot (1971):

    • Inmates took control of Attica prison; suppressed by police resulting in deaths.

    • Worsened public opinion on incarcerated people.

  • Mass Incarceration:

    • Spike in prison population began in the 1980s, groundwork laid in the 60's and 70's.

    • Fueled by the \"War on Drugs,\" disproportionately affecting poor and minority communities.

Nixon’s Presidency

  • Hindered by a Democrat Congress.

  • Defunded some \"Great Society\" programs but supported EPA and OSHA.

  • Aimed to ease Cold War tensions while protecting U.S. institutions.

  • Southern Strategy:

    • Appealed to state’s rights and \"law and order\" rather than explicit racism.

  • Elections:

    • 1968: Nixon won against Humphrey and Wallace.

    • 1972: Nixon won overwhelmingly against McGovern.

Watergate Scandal

  • Nixon ordered a break-in to the DNC headquarters.

  • Covered up the investigation using presidential power.

  • Resigned to avoid impeachment.

  • Legacy:

    • Increased cynicism towards government.

    • Briefly damaged the Republican Party's credibility.

Cultural Reflections

  • Cynicism reflected in New Hollywood cinema.

  • Emergence of blockbuster films like Jaws, Rocky, and Star Wars.

Carter Administration

  • Appealed to optimism post-Watergate.

  • Democrat, vocal evangelical Christian.

  • 1976 Election:

    • Carter (D) won against Ford (R).

Conservative Backlash

  • Protests against \"forced busing\" and rise of private schools.

  • Emergence of \"The Moral Majority\" and Christian alternatives.

  • Rapid apathy towards Watergate.

Economic Issues

  • Oil crises in 1973 and 1979.

  • Stagflation: high inflation, unemployment, and low demand.

Reagan Revolution

  • Ronald Reagan, a conservative, gained popularity.

  • Led Republicans to Congressional victories.

  • 1980 Election:

    • Reagan (R) won against Carter (D).

Carter’s Foreign Policy

  • Camp David Accords.

  • Divestment from supporting some dictatorships.

  • Faced pressure from revolutions in Nicaragua and Iran.