Politics from 1945-Present

Politics from 1945-PresentUnited States HistoryUnit 12Mrs. McClarySocial MovementsGraphic OrganizerBarry GoldwaterBarry Goldwater ran for President in 1964 as a Conservative Republican.He was defeated by Lyndon Johnson.Many Americans were ready to return to a traditional, conservative lifestyle.The changes and turmoil of the 60s caused this feeling.

Richard M. NixonRichard Nixon ran as the Republican candidate for the Presidency in 1968To win, Nixon had to win in the South, traditionally a Democratic stronghold To gain Southern votes, Nixon promised to be a Conservative President, and limit government powers, a long standing desire in the SouthHe also promised to a appoint a Southerner to the Supreme CourtNixons Southern Strategy helped him get elected What did the election of Richard Nixon signal?A new conservative movementSupport of demonstrationsGrowing sectionalismAn end to Vietnam War protests[Default][MC Any][MC All]

Changing Attitudes in the 70s26th Amendment gave 18 year olds the right to vote.Nixons election signaled a return to Conservative views for many Americans. Nixon visited China and the Soviet Union in 1972 which began a period of relaxed tensions in the Cold War known as dtente.Nixon opened up communication and trade with both the Chinese and the Soviet Union.All of the following provide examples of the Cold War dtente except thatTensions between the US and Soviets decreasedTrade increased between the Soviet Union and the USThe Cuban Missile CrisisPeaceful relations between Communist and democratic countries existed[Default][MC Any][MC All]

Watergate Scandal1973 the Senate began investigating a break-in at the Democratic National headquarters in the Watergate building in Washington D.C.Nixon stated he was unaware and uninvolved in the break-in but refused to turn over tape recordings he made of conversations in the Oval Office.Supreme Court finally made Nixon turn over the tapes which proved he ordered a cover-up of the break-in.Nixon resigned on August 8, 1974 instead of facing impeachment.What ultimately led to President Nixon stepping down as president of the United States?Visiting the Communist country of RomaniaEstablishing trade relations with ChinaThe events surrounding the Watergate scandalThe resignation of Vice President Spiro Agnew[Default][MC Any][MC All]

Watergate building, Washington D.C.

Watergate Scandal continuedDuring the scandal, Nixons VP Spiro Agnew was forced to resign after taking bribes.Gerald Ford was appointed as the new Vice President.When Nixon resigned, Ford became president. He was the first and only US president to have never been elected.Within a week of being president, Ford pardoned Nixon of all of his crimes which angered the American people.

Gerald Ford

Supreme Court Cases of the 1970sRoe v. Wade (1973) legalized abortion based on the belief that abortion fell under a womans right to privacy.University of California v. Bakke (1978) ruled that race cannot be the only factor considered when admitting students into college but upheld the practice of affirmative action (policy that established preference for ethnic minorities and women in selection for employment or education. Goal is to undo past discrimination.)The decision in Regents of the University of California v. BakkeStruck down the Supreme Courts right of judicial reviewAllowed Bakke to be admitted to school, but upheld affirmative actionRuled that affirmative action was unconstitutional banned Bakke from the University of CA medical school[Default][MC Any][MC All]

Roe v. Wade

Jimmy CarterJimmy Carter defeated Ford in the 1976 presidential election.Carter was a Washington outsider and inexperienced.1977 Carter arranged for Israel and Egypt to sign a peace treaty known as the Camp David Accords to end years of war.Also signed a treaty that would turn over the Panama canal to Panama (happened on Dec. 31, 1999).Foreign policy was based on human rights. He wanted all governments to protect the rights of its citizens.Jimmy Carter

Iranian Hostage Crisis1979 Iran overthrew its government and radical Islamic leaders took over.The US allowed the old Iranian leader (the Shah) to come to the US for cancer treatment.Angered Iranians stormed the US embassy and took 66 Americans hostage. They said they would not release the hostages until the Shah had been returned to Iran.Carter tried to bargain for the hostages release and ordered an unsuccessful rescue mission.The crisis along with a bad economy ruined the chances for Carters re-election.The hostages were finally released on the day Reagan was inaugurated as president after being held for 444 days.Iranian Hostage Crisis

Jimmy Carter was elected to a 2nd presidential term.TrueFalse

Reagan Years 1981-1989Reagan emphasized an emphasis on family life, patriotism, law and order, and a reduction of the federal government.Reaganomics: reduce taxes on businesses and the benefits would trickle-down throughout the rest of society.Reagan increased military spending to counter the Soviets and reduced taxes which led to a $3 trillion debt.Reaganomics Political Cartoon

Reduced government spending, reduced taxation on businesses, reduction of social programs, and deregulation were all a part ofThe Iran-Contra AffairNorth American Free Trade AgreementThe Great SocietyReaganomics[Default][MC Any][MC All]

Reagan Assassination AttemptJohn Hinkley Jr. tried to assassinate Reagan in March 1981 as Reagan left the Hilton Hotel in Washington DC.Reagan was shot in the chest and spent 11 days in the hospital.Hinkley was obsessed with and stalking actress Jodie Foster and hoped killing the President would impress her.He is still in a mental institution today.http://rawhidedown.com/

Reagan Years 1981-1989Iran-Contra Affair was an embarrassment to the Reagan administration.Iran Contra Affair: National Security Council members had arranged a sale of weapons to Iran to release US hostages held in Lebanon. The funds used to buy the weapons were secured from Nicaraguan rebels fighting off a communist take-over.Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev improved the relationship and signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (1987) which reduced the number of nuclear missiles held by each superpower.Reagan and Gorbachev

Expanding International RelationsSoviet Union collapsed in 1991 while George H.W. Bush was President. The Cold War was finally over.Clinton pushed for the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in 1993. This eliminated trade barriers between the US, Canada, and Mexico.Opponents stated it result in a loss of American jobs but supporters said it would lower prices and expand consumer markets.George H. W. Bush and Bill ClintonElected 1988 (Rep)Elected 1992 and 1996 (Dem)

Bill ClintonScandal broke out over a real estate deal Clinton was involved in during his time as Governor of Arkansas.More problems arose when it was discovered he had a questionable relationship with a White House intern, Monica Lewinsky.Clinton was put on an impeachment trial for lying about the affair under oath.The vote was close but he was acquitted and remained president.

Bill Clinton Political Cartoon

2000 ElectionRepublican George W. Bush received fewer popular votes than Democrat Al Gore but won the election because he had more electoral votes.Controversy arose over Floridas electoral votes and a state recount of the votes was ordered.The Supreme Court finally ended the controversy on Dec 12, 2000 when they awarded Floridas electoral votes to George W. Bush.2000 ElectionGeorge W. Bush v. Al Gore

Terrorism and the United StatesSeptember 11, 2001 the terrorist group Al-Qaeda hijacked 4 jets and carried out the most damaging terrorist attacks in US history.Almost 3,000 Americans died in the attacks.George W. Bush declared war on terrorism.October 2001, US invaded Afghanistan because it was a haven for Al-Qaeda.March 2003, US invaded Iraq over the issue of weapons of mass destruction and violations of human rights.To date, no weapons of mass destruction have been found.Saddam Hussein was convicted and executed by the Iraqi government for crimes against humanity.September 11, 2001

September 11, 2001