Richard Nixon and Watergate

New FederalismNew Federalism Nixon said he was the spokesperson Nixon said he was the spokesperson

for the for the silent majority,silent majority, the Middle the Middle AmericansAmericans

He wants to make federal government He wants to make federal government smaller – fed government gave states smaller – fed government gave states money to fund social programs money to fund social programs (revenue sharing). The states then (revenue sharing). The states then controlled themcontrolled them

New Federalism cont.New Federalism cont. Nixon contradicts himself. He Nixon contradicts himself. He

actually supported programs that actually supported programs that increased the size of government:increased the size of government:– OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health

Administration)Administration)– DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration)DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration)– EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)– Nixon’s welfare policies also increased Nixon’s welfare policies also increased

gov’tgov’t

Southern StrategySouthern Strategy Wants to expand his base of supportWants to expand his base of support Tries to appeal to the blue-collar Tries to appeal to the blue-collar

worker and Southern Whitesworker and Southern Whites Trying to make the Republican Party Trying to make the Republican Party

a powerful force in the Southa powerful force in the South

Southern Strategy cont.Southern Strategy cont. Court-ordered busing – trying to Court-ordered busing – trying to

achieve greater racial balanceachieve greater racial balance Nixon didn’t support it, called for a Nixon didn’t support it, called for a

freezefreeze YET……he supported Affirmative Action YET……he supported Affirmative Action

– policy that gives special – policy that gives special consideration to women and minorities consideration to women and minorities in employment and in educationin employment and in education

Southern Strategy contSouthern Strategy cont Philadelphia PlanPhiladelphia Plan

– Required labor unions and federal Required labor unions and federal contractors to submit goals and contractors to submit goals and timetables for the hiring of minoritiestimetables for the hiring of minorities

– Next election Nixon won huge!!!!Next election Nixon won huge!!!!

Watergate – the scandalWatergate – the scandal

Break-inBreak-in Burglars break in to the DNC Burglars break in to the DNC

(Democratic National Committee) (Democratic National Committee) headquarters in the Watergate headquarters in the Watergate complexcomplex

Cover-upCover-up Advisors use money from the Advisors use money from the

Committee to Reelect the President Committee to Reelect the President to pay for the burglary.to pay for the burglary.

TapesTapes Nixon had tapes detailing his Nixon had tapes detailing his

involvementinvolvement

Executive Privilege – should he have Executive Privilege – should he have to give the tapes up?to give the tapes up?

U.S. v. Nixon – SC says Nixon must U.S. v. Nixon – SC says Nixon must give up tapes.give up tapes.

ResignationResignation He would have been impeachedHe would have been impeached

Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein from the Washington Post are from the Washington Post are credited with cracking the storycredited with cracking the story

Lasting Impact – So What?Lasting Impact – So What? Richard Nixon damaged the Richard Nixon damaged the

reputation of the presidency and reputation of the presidency and shook the public’s confidence in shook the public’s confidence in governmentgovernment

Late 1950s to the mid 70s, the Late 1950s to the mid 70s, the percentage of Americans who percentage of Americans who believed in the truth of government believed in the truth of government statements dropped from 80% to 33%statements dropped from 80% to 33%

On the positive – it showed that the On the positive – it showed that the nation could survivenation could survive

Both Congress and the SC checked Both Congress and the SC checked the power of the Presidentthe power of the President

No one is above the law – RULE OF No one is above the law – RULE OF LAWLAW

Ford/Carter readingFord/Carter reading What critical event affected both the Ford What critical event affected both the Ford

and Carter presidenciesand Carter presidencies What was the economy like when Gerald What was the economy like when Gerald

Ford was president?Ford was president? Why did our relationship with the Soviets Why did our relationship with the Soviets

cool in the late 70s?cool in the late 70s? Mariel boatlift?Mariel boatlift? Christian fundamentalistsChristian fundamentalists Changing valuesChanging values

Ford/Carter readingFord/Carter reading Carter and foreign policyCarter and foreign policy What was happening in the Middle What was happening in the Middle

EastEast