APUSH Review: The 1970s and Nixon (P8L16)

Key Concept 8.1: U.S. Global Leadership Post-War

• The U.S. positioned itself as a global leader following World War II, responding to an uncertain and unstable world with various policies.

I. The Pentagon Papers (1971)

• Daniel Ellsberg's Leak

  • Ellsberg disclosed classified documents revealing the U.S. government's misleading information about the Vietnam War to the New York Times.

  • Evidence showed that the Gulf of Tonkin incident was provoked, contradicting President Johnson's claims.

• Impact on Credibility

  • The government’s credibility was severely damaged as it was revealed that the main motivation for the Vietnam War was to avoid a political defeat rather than to eliminate communism.

• Supreme Court Ruling

  • Nixon attempted to prevent publication, but the Supreme Court ruled against him, reinforcing freedom of the press.

II. Détente

• Definition & Goals

  • Détente was a strategy to ease tensions between the U.S., Soviet Union, and China, leading to significant diplomatic agreements.

• Key Policies and Actions

  1. Henry Kissinger's Diplomacy

  • Kissinger conducted secret talks with China and the USSR to facilitate summit meetings.

  1. Realpolitik Philosophy

  • Focused on U.S. national interests rather than ideological commitments.

  1. Balance of Power

  • Nixon's aim for a world where powers such as the U.S., USSR, China, and Japan could balance each other.

• Significant Visits and Treaties

  1. Nixon's visit to China (1972)

  • Established formal diplomatic relations and supported China's U.N. membership.

  1. Nixon's Moscow Visit (1972)

  • Played the "China card" to strengthen U.S. leverage over the USSR.

  • Signed strategic arms reduction agreements, notably SALT I.

  1. Grain Deal (1972)

  • Agreement to sell $750 million worth of agricultural products to the Soviet Union.

  1. Helsinki Conference (1975)

  • Aimed to stabilize post-war borders in Europe and increase East-West cooperation, though with mixed outcomes due to Soviet noncompliance.

III. Economic Challenges in the 1970s

• Inflation and Stagnation

  • Inflation peaked at 12% during the early 1970s; unemployment reached 6% by 1970.

  • Costs of living significantly increased over the decade.

• Causes of Economic Stagnation

  1. Growth of federal deficits from Vietnam War and domestic spending.

  2. Increased competition from foreign economies (Germany & Japan).

  3. Lack of modernization in industries, rising energy costs, and a shift towards service-oriented employment.

• Oil Crisis (1973)

  • The Arab Oil Embargo caused oil prices to spike and inflation to rise sharply, leading to economic hardship.

  • Nixon's administration struggled with the economic ramifications and attempted various measures to control prices and wages.

IV. The "Imperial Presidency"

• Historical Context

  • The expansion of presidential power began with FDR and continued through subsequent administrations.

• Nixon's Expansion of Power

  • Engaged in actions such as fund impoundment and military actions without congressional approval.

• Congressional Pushback

  • Following Vietnam and Watergate, Congress enacted several laws to limit presidential power, including the War Powers Act, Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act, and Federal Election Campaign Act.

  • The Privacy Act was introduced to increase citizen access to government records and curb abuses by the executive branch.