Chapter 28: Politics and Economics

Chapter 28: Politics and EconomicsThe Nixon AdministrationThe Election of 1968

Early Policies

US Relations with China, USSR

Henry Kissinger

The Election of 1968Nixon (Republican) v. Humphrey (Democrat) v. Wallace (Independent)

Role of Southern VotersHistorically DemocraticEffect of Alabamas Wallace

Nixons approach to SouthernersSouth Carolinas Strom ThurmondConservatives to federal courts, Supreme CourtSouthern VPOppose court-ordered busingAnd the winner isRichard Nixon

Nixons PoliciesNew FederalismImprove Government EfficiencyDismantled Federal ProgramsMore Control to Local and State GovtResults?

Revenue-Sharing PlanFederal Funding to State and Local AgenciesConditional Funding Problems

Impounded FundingRefusing to release funding appropriated by CongressDeclared UnconstitutionalHenry KissingerBackground

German Immigrant who fled Nazi Germany

Served in US Military Intelligence during WWII

Worked as a consultant on national security for Kennedy and Johnson

Took position as National Security Advisor for NixonKissinger and NixonShared Views

Vietnamization (Nixon Doctrine)Cannot abandon Vietnam (focus on gradual withdrawal)Work with South Vietnamese to defend themselves

US AlliesTake care of own defenseUS still provide aid and trainingNo longer conceive all the plans, design all the programs, execute all the decisions, and undertake all the defense of the free nations of the worldDetenteDefinition: Relaxing of Tensions

Kissinger and Nixon: Multipolar world meant US adaptation

Role of China, Japan, and Western Europe

Relations with Communist statesChina: 1972 Visit, Normalize Relations, Political Tool with USSRUSSR: 1972 Summit, SALT I, Proxy Wars

WatergateBackgroundJune 17, 1972

Nixons advisors order break-in of Democratic HQ to steal campaign information

Five men arrested for attempt to place wiretaps on phones and steal information from Democratic National Headquarters (located at the Watergate Hotel)

One of the five men, James McCord, was a retired CIA agentAlso a member of Committee for the Re-Election of the President

Role of Woodward and Carl Bernstein

Watergate continuedReports that CRP funded burglarsFunds coming from White House?

Cover-up beginsWhite House officials destroy incriminating documentsFalse testimony to investigatorsCIA stops FBI from investigating Nixons press secretary: White House has had no involvement

Effects on the Election?

1972 ElectionNixons Reelection CampaignEffects of 1960 loss and 1968 ElectionSecretive, Defensive, Resentful of CriticsEffects of Vietnam and riotsChina and RussiaGeorge Wallace drops out after attackSouth Dakota Sen. George McGovernWin at any costWATERGATE

Nixon wins by one of the largest margins in history (61% of popular vote, 49 states, 520 electoral votes)

Watergate (post-election)1973: Burglars go on trial

McCord testifies in front of grand jury and in front of the new Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities

Testimony leads to White House and campaign officials exposed

John Dean (counsel to the president) made allegations against NixonTestimoniesJohn Dean: Attorney General John Mitchell ordered break-inNixon active in cover-up (Nixon denies role)

Who told the truth?Alexander Butterfield (White House aide): Recording system in White HouseWould explain what Nixon really knewLegal Decision (US v. Nixon, 1974)

The TapesExecutive privilege?Confidential for National SecurityUS v. NixonArchibald CoxSpecial prosecutor appointed by Nixon to handle WatergateTook Nixon to court to hand over tapesNixon responseAtt. Gen. Richardson refused to fire Cox and resignedRichardsons deputy did sameSolicitor General Robert Bork fires Cox (Saturday Night Massacre)US v. Nixon results

After the tapesHouse Judiciary Committee votes to impeach Nixon on charges of misconduct, obstructing justice, misusing federal agencies, and defying authority of Congress

Before House vote on impeachment evidence of Nixons involvement surfaced

CIA order to stop FBI investigation

Friday, August 8, 1974Wednesday, August 6, 1974ResultsGerald Ford becomes presidentSeptember 8, 1974: full, free, and absolute pardon to NixonNew LawsFederal Campaign Act AmendmentsLimits campaign contributionsEstablished agency to administer stricter election lawsEthics in Government ActFinancial disclosure in all three branches of governmentFBI Domestic Security Investigations Guideline ActRestricted political intelligence gathering activitiesCreated Counsel for investigating high government officials

Exit SlipWatergate was probably a good thing for the country; it was a good, sobering lesson. Accountability to the law applies to everyone. The problem with kings and prime ministers and presidents is that they think that they are above itthat they have some special rights, and privileges, and status. And a process that says: No. We have our laws and believe them, and they apply to everyone, is a very good thing. -Bob Woodward, Nixon: An Oral History of His Presidency

Do you believe Woodward that the laws in the US apply to everyone? Why or why not?