C H A P T E R

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C H A P T E R
An Age of Limits
CHAPTER OBJECTIVE
INTERACT WITH HISTORY
TIME LINE
The Nixon Administration
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SECTION
MAP
Watergate Nixons Downfall
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SECTION
GRAPH
The Ford and Carter Years
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SECTION
Environmental Activism
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SECTION
VISUAL SUMMARY
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C H A P T E R
An Age of Limits
To understand the political, social, and economic
events of the 1970s and the Nixon Administration
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C H A P T E R
An Age of Limits
I N T E R A C T
W I T H H I S T O R Y
The date is August 9, 1974. You are serving your
country as an honor guard at the White House. As
a member of the military, youve always felt
patriotic pride in your government. Now the
highest officer of that government, President
Richard M. Nixon, is stepping down in disgrace.
The trust you once placed in your leaders has
been broken.
In what ways can a president misuse power?
Examine the Issues
What are some powers granted to the president?
What systems exist to protect against abuse of
power?
How can a president lose or restore the
nations trust?
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An Age of Limits
The United States
The World
continued . . .
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C H A P T E R
An Age of Limits
The United States
The World
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KEY IDEA
President Richard M. Nixon attempts to move the
country in a more conservative direction and to
ease Cold War tensions throughout the world.
OVERVIEW
ASSESSMENT
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OVERVIEW
MAIN IDEA
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
American leaders of the early 1970s laid the
foundations for the broad conservative base
today.
President Richard M. Nixon tried to steer the
country in a conservative direction and away from
federal control.
TERMS NAMES
ASSESSMENT
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1. List the policies of Richard Nixon that
promoted change and those that slowed it down.
Promoted Change
Slowed Change
Policies
Policies
Impounded federal funds
Revenue sharing program
Abolished Office of Economic Opportunity
Family Assistance Plan
Opposed school busing
China visit
Appointed conservatives to the Supreme Court
Soviet Union visit
SALT I Treaty
continued . . .
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2. What were the effects of the Arab OPEC oil
embargo on the United States?
ANSWER
Increased fuel prices, fuel conservation,
inflation, factories and businesses closed
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3. Why was the timing of Nixons foreign policy
achievements particularly important? Relate his
achievements to other events.
ANSWER
Nixons achievements helped him win reelection in
1972.
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4. In your opinion, did Nixons policy of détente
help solve the countrys major foreign policy
problems? Think About
the definition and origin of détente
the effect of détente on U.S. dealings with
Communist countries
the effect of détente on the American public
ANSWER
Yes improved relations between the Soviet Union
and China enhanced Nixons world image opened
up diplomatic and economic relations with the
Chinese No did nothing to help the situation in
Vietnam
End of Section 1
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GRAPH
KEY IDEA
Richard Nixons involvement in the cover-up of a
campaign burglary forces him to resign from
officethe only president to do so.
OVERVIEW
ASSESSMENT
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GRAPH
OVERVIEW
MAIN IDEA
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
President Richard Nixons involvement in the
Watergate scandal forced him to resign from
office.
The Watergate scandal raised questions of public
trust that still affect how the public and media
skeptically view politicians.
TERMS NAMES
ASSESSMENT
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S E C T I O N
Watergate Nixons Downfall
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your
thoughts. List the key events of the Watergate
scandal.
May 1973 Senate investigates
October 1973Saturday Night Massacre
August 1974 President Nixon resigns.
August1974
June1972
June 1972 Watergate break-in
June 1973 John Dean testifies before Senate.
July 1974 Judiciary committee votes to impeach
Nixon.
continued . . .
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2. If Nixon had admitted to and apologized for
the Watergate break-in, how might subsequent
events have been different? Think About
the extent of the cover-up
the impact of the cover-up
Nixons public image
ANSWER
Nixons public image would not have been as badly
damaged Americans might have respected him for
his honesty he probably would have lost some of
the American peoples trust.
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3. How did the Watergate scandal create a
constitutional crisis?
ANSWER
During the scandal, Nixon abused his power and
obstructed justice. The crisis centered on the
issue of how the nation would handle a
presidents alleged criminal misconduct.
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4. Do you think that Nixon would have been forced
to resign if the tapes had not existed?
ANSWER
Yes There may have been other ways of bringing
the pertinent information to light. No Nixon
could have continued to maintain his innocence,
and without proper evidence, he would not have
been impeached.
End of Section 2
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KEY IDEA
In the wake of Watergate, Presidents Ford and
Carter try to restore faith in Americas
leadership as they battle the worst economic
crisis in decades.
OVERVIEW
ASSESSMENT
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OVERVIEW
MAIN IDEA
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
The Ford and Carter administrations attempted to
remedy the nations worst economic crisis in
decades.
Maintaining a stable national economy has
remained a top priority for every president since
Ford and Carter.
TERMS NAMES
ASSESSMENT
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S E C T I O N
The Ford and Carter Years
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your
thoughts. Identify the major events of the Ford
and Carter administrations.
March 1979 Anwar el-Sadat and Begin sign peace
treaty.
1975 Helsinki Accords signed.
Dec. 1979 Soviets invade Afghanistan.
1974 Ford pardons Nixon.
1977 U.S. and Panama sign canal treaties.
Nov. 4, 1979 Iranians seize U.S. hostages.
1980 Almost 14 percent inflation.
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2. Do you think that Ford made a good decision in
pardoning Nixon? Explain why or why not.
ANSWER
Good Decision Ford needed to prevent the country
from enduring a trial and restore confidence in
the presidency. Bad Decision Nixon should have
been held accountable he never publicly admitted
guilt.
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3. How were the actions taken by Presidents Ford
and Carter to address the countrys economic
downturn similar? How did they differ?
ANSWER
Both emphasized energy conservation and battled
Congress Ford put more emphasis on voluntary
citizen action, whereas Carter emphasized
government action.
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4. Do you agree with President Carter that human
rights concerns should steer U.S. foreign policy?
Think About
the responsibility of promoting human rights
the loss of good relations with certain
countries
the collapse of détente with the Soviet Union
ANSWER
Agree U.S. has a duty to stand up for human
rights. Disagree Too strict a policy might
alienate allies.
End of Section 3
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KEY IDEA
Americans, struck by their sense of limitations,
begin to address a growing number of
environmental concerns.
OVERVIEW
ASSESSMENT
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OVERVIEW
MAIN IDEA
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
During the 1970s, Americans strengthened their
efforts to address the nations environmental
problems.
The nation today continues to struggle to balance
environmental concerns with industrial growth.
TERMS NAMES
ASSESSMENT
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1. Look at the graphic to help organize your
thoughts. List five events that describe how
concern for the environment grew in the United
States.
People struggle to balance environmental with
economic concerns.
Rachel Carson publishes Silent Spring, 1962.
Concern for the environment grew in the United
States.
In 1970, the first Earth Day is held.
Nixon creates the EPA in 1970.
Three Mile Island accident in 1979 raises
concerns about nuclear power.
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2. How much should the United States rely on
nuclear power as a source of energy? Think About
the safety of nuclear power
the alternatives to nuclear power
U.S. energy demands
ANSWER
Supporters may say that nuclear power should be
used, since it is cleaner than coal or oil and
is plentiful and cheap. Opponents may say that
nuclear power is dangerous, nuclear waste is
difficult to contain, and the risks outweigh the
benefits.
End of Section 4