Topic: Evaluating The Topic: Evaluating The Domestic Policies of Domestic Policies of President Richard Nixon President Richard Nixon

Do Now: Do Now: ““The Vietnam War did not destroy the Democrats in The Vietnam War did not destroy the Democrats in 1968. The War was only one (albeit noisy) component 1968. The War was only one (albeit noisy) component of the Dems loss in ’68. The real reason they lost was of the Dems loss in ’68. The real reason they lost was due to the fact that Americans were tired of due to the fact that Americans were tired of Democratic liberals like Johnson who had been in Democratic liberals like Johnson who had been in control since 1960. The American people were tired control since 1960. The American people were tired of the Great Society and Civil Rights… they wanted a of the Great Society and Civil Rights… they wanted a return to conservative American beliefs”.return to conservative American beliefs”.

Defend or Refute This StatementDefend or Refute This Statement

The Election of 1968The Election of 1968 Johnson hated, refuses to Johnson hated, refuses to

run for a new termrun for a new term Race riots, student riots, Race riots, student riots,

etc.etc. Dems Chicago RiotDems Chicago Riot

– Mayor R. DaleyMayor R. Daley 1968: Nixon vs. Hubert 1968: Nixon vs. Hubert

HumphreyHumphrey– Segregationist George Segregationist George

Wallace as 3rd party Wallace as 3rd party candidate (Am. Ind.)candidate (Am. Ind.)

Nixon Wins:Nixon Wins:– ““plan to end Vietnam war”plan to end Vietnam war”– ““law and order” candidatelaw and order” candidate– Appeals to the “Silent Appeals to the “Silent

Majority”Majority”– Takes advantage of Dem Takes advantage of Dem

split (Hawk vs. Dove)split (Hawk vs. Dove)

The Domestic FrontThe Domestic Front 1970s: a period of 1970s: a period of

“Stagflation”“Stagflation” Causes of economic Causes of economic

downturn?downturn? Nixon keeps many Great Nixon keeps many Great

Society programsSociety programs– SSI, Food StampsSSI, Food Stamps

Nixon takes US off the Gold Nixon takes US off the Gold Standard; wage freezesStandard; wage freezes

Nixon and the “Southern Nixon and the “Southern Strategy” (wins 1972 Strategy” (wins 1972 Election)Election)

Nixon keeps US in Vietnam Nixon keeps US in Vietnam reactionsreactions– 1970 Kent State “Massacre”1970 Kent State “Massacre”

Creation of the EPACreation of the EPA– Rachel Carson’s Rachel Carson’s Silent SpringSilent Spring

Domestic ControversiesDomestic Controversies Nixon reshapes the Nixon reshapes the

Supreme Court (The Supreme Court (The Burger Court) Burger Court) not as not as conservative as he conservative as he hopeshopes

Nixon and Race:Nixon and Race:– De facto segregation and De facto segregation and

“white flight”“white flight”– The Bakke DecisionThe Bakke Decision

Women’s issues:Women’s issues:– Betty Freidan and the Betty Freidan and the

Feminine MystiqueFeminine Mystique– Roe v. Wade caseRoe v. Wade case– Title IX in educationTitle IX in education– NOW and the Failure of NOW and the Failure of

the ERAthe ERA

ConclusionConclusion

On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best) where would you place best) where would you place Nixon’s domestic policies? In 2-3 Nixon’s domestic policies? In 2-3 sentences, explain your rationale sentences, explain your rationale for your rating. for your rating.