Briefing 104: Part 1

Intelligence Briefing

Subject: Richard Nixon and the Global Pivot

THE GLOBAL PIVOT (TEKS 10A)

President Richard Nixon believed in managing the Cold War through diplomacy (building relationships) rather than just military force. He pioneered a policy called Détente—a French word meaning a "relaxing" of tensions between superpowers.

In 1972, he became the first president to visit Communist China. By opening trade and friendship with China, he used "triangular diplomacy" to make the Soviet Union more cooperative, as they feared being left out. He also signed the SALT I Treaty to limit nuclear weapons.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION (TEKS 14B)

Nixon responded to growing public concern about pollution by creating the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) to set national standards for air and water quality. He also signed the Endangered Species Act to protect animals at risk of dying out.

THE WATERGATE CRISIS (TEKS 10B)

In 1972, campaign workers for Nixon broke into the Democratic headquarters at the Watergate building. Nixon orchestrated a massive Cover-Up to hide the crime from the public.

The Supreme Court case U.S. v. Nixon proved that no one is above the law. When ordered to give up secret tapes, Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974. Public trust in the government hit an all-time low.

Briefing 104: Part 2

Intelligence Briefing

Subject: Gerald Ford and the Transitional Presidency

THE APPOINTED PRESIDENT

Gerald Ford is unique in U.S. history because he is the only person to serve as President without being elected as either President or Vice President. He was appointed to help the nation move forward after the scandals of the early 1970s.

THE NIXON PARDON (TEKS 10B)

One month after taking office, President Ford issued a full Pardon to Richard Nixon. A pardon is a legal document that forgives someone for a crime and prevents them from being prosecuted (put on trial).

Ford believed that putting a former president on trial would keep the country divided and prevent it from "healing." However, many Americans felt that this violated the principle of justice and allowed a politician to escape the law.

LEGACY OF DISTRUST

This controversial act caused a further decline in public trust in the federal government. Many voters never forgave Ford, leading to his defeat by Jimmy Carter in the 1976 election.

Briefing 104: Part 3

Intelligence Briefing

Subject: Jimmy Carter and the Crisis of Confidence

THE ENERGY CRISIS (TEKS 10E)

The economy of the late 1970s was paralyzed by Stagflation—a combination of high inflation (rising prices) and high unemployment.

The organization OPEC started an Oil Embargo (refusing to sell oil) against the U.S. This caused gas prices to triple and energy shortages across the nation.

CARTER'S CALL

President Carter created the Department of Energy and asked Americans to conserve (save) fuel by driving less.

MIDDLE EAST CRISES (TEKS 10D)

CAMP DAVID ACCORDS (1978)

Carter negotiated a historic peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. This remains his greatest achievement.

IRAN HOSTAGE CRISIS (1979)

Iranian revolutionaries seized the U.S. Embassy and held 52 Americans hostage for 444 days, making the U.S. look weak.

TEKS 17E: THE C.R.A. OF 1977

Carter signed the Community Reinvestment Act to stop Redlining (discriminating against poor neighborhoods). It forced banks to lend money in low-income city centers to help them grow.

Briefing 104: Part 4

Intelligence Briefing

Subject: Ronald Reagan and the Conservative Resurgence

THE REAGAN REVOLUTION (TEKS 11A)

REAGANOMICS

Also called Supply-Side Economics. Reagan believed that cutting taxes for the wealthy would "trickle down" to create more jobs and money for everyone.

Tax Cuts

Deregulation

CONSERVATIVE VOICES

The Heritage Foundation and the Moral Majority promoted traditional family values and limited government.

Phyllis Schlafly: Led a successful conservative movement to stop the ERA (Equal Rights Amendment).

PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH

Reagan believed the U.S. could win the Cold War by out-spending the Soviet Union on weapons. He proposed the SDI (Star Wars) system to shoot down missiles from space.

Sandra Day O'Connor

The First Woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

ERA SUMMARY: THE RESURGENCE

The 1970s and 1980s saw America shift from the distrust of Watergate to a new resurgence of military pride and conservative leadership that eventually brought an end to the Cold War.

1970s and 80s Intelligence Briefing V2

1970s and 80s Intelligence Briefing V2