🧸US History – 1945 to Present Unit 9 – Nixon's Era: Détente and Watergate

Key Players and Political Landscape

• Richard Nixon, a Republican, served as the 37th President of the United States from 1969 to 1974
• Nixon's presidency coincided with a tumultuous period in American history marked by social unrest, the Vietnam War, and the ongoing Cold War
• Henry Kissinger, a prominent political scientist, served as Nixon's National Security Advisor and later Secretary of State
  • Kissinger played a key role in shaping Nixon's foreign policy, particularly in regards to détente with the Soviet Union and the opening of relations with China
• The Democratic Party held a majority in both houses of Congress during Nixon's presidency, which often led to political gridlock and opposition to Nixon's policies
• The 1972 presidential election saw Nixon win a landslide victory against Democratic nominee George McGovern, reflecting Nixon's popularity and the country's shift towards conservatism
• The political landscape was characterized by a growing divide between the "Silent Majority" (conservative, middle-class Americans) and the counterculture movement (liberal, anti-war activists)
• The Vietnam War continued to be a major political issue, with increasing public opposition and protests (Kent State shootings)

Nixon's Foreign Policy Approach

• Nixon's foreign policy was characterized by a pragmatic, realpolitik approach that prioritized national interests over ideological considerations
• The Nixon Doctrine, announced in 1969, called for a reduced US military presence abroad and increased reliance on regional allies to maintain stability
  • This policy shift was driven by the ongoing Vietnam War and the desire to reduce US military commitments overseas
• Nixon sought to improve relations with the Soviet Union and China, two major Cold War adversaries, through a policy of détente (easing of tensions)
• Triangular diplomacy: Nixon and Kissinger attempted to exploit the Sino-Soviet split by improving relations with both countries, thereby gaining leverage in negotiations
• Nixon's foreign policy also focused on the Middle East, particularly the Arab-Israeli conflict and the oil-rich Persian Gulf region
  • The Yom Kippur War (1973) led to the OPEC oil embargo, which had significant economic consequences for the United States
• Nixon's approach to foreign policy was often secretive and centralized, with key decisions made by a small group of advisors (Kissinger) rather than through traditional diplomatic channels

Détente: Easing Cold War Tensions

• Détente refers to the easing of tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Nixon era
• Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT I) led to the signing of the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty (1972) and the Interim Agreement on Offensive Arms, which limited the growth of nuclear arsenals
• The Moscow Summit (1972) marked a significant milestone in US-Soviet relations, with Nixon becoming the first US president to visit Moscow
  • During the summit, Nixon and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev signed several agreements on trade, scientific cooperation, and cultural exchanges
• The Helsinki Accords (1975) were a series of agreements signed by 35 countries, including the US and the Soviet Union, that addressed issues such as human rights, territorial integrity, and economic cooperation
• Détente also involved increased trade and cultural exchanges between the two superpowers (Pepsi-Cola, American wheat)
• Critics of détente argued that it did not address fundamental ideological differences and human rights issues, particularly in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe
• The policy of détente faced challenges in the mid-1970s due to events such as the Yom Kippur War, the Jackson-Vanik amendment (linking trade to Soviet Jewish emigration), and the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979)

Domestic Policies and Initiatives

• Nixon's domestic policies were characterized by a mix of conservative and liberal initiatives, reflecting his pragmatic approach to governance
• The New Federalism: Nixon sought to decentralize power from the federal government to state and local governments through revenue sharing and block grants
  • This approach was intended to give states more flexibility in addressing local issues and reduce the size of the federal bureaucracy
• Nixon's economic policies aimed to combat inflation and unemployment through a combination of wage and price controls (Nixon Shock, 1971) and monetary policy changes
  • The Nixon Shock included the imposition of a 90-day freeze on wages and prices, a 10% tariff on imports, and the end of the gold standard for the US dollar
• The creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970 marked a significant step in addressing environmental concerns and regulating pollution
• Nixon's administration also implemented affirmative action policies (Philadelphia Plan) to promote racial diversity in federal contracting and employment
• The War on Drugs, launched by Nixon in 1971, aimed to combat drug abuse and trafficking through increased law enforcement and drug control measures
  • Critics argue that the War on Drugs disproportionately targeted minority communities and contributed to mass incarceration
• Nixon's healthcare proposals, including the National Health Insurance Partnership Act, aimed to expand access to healthcare through a combination of private insurance and government subsidies
  • These proposals faced opposition from both liberals (who favored a single-payer system) and conservatives (who opposed government involvement in healthcare)

The Watergate Scandal: What Went Down

• The Watergate scandal began with a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., on June 17, 1972
  • The burglars, later found to have ties to Nixon's reelection campaign (Committee to Re-elect the President, or CREEP), were caught attempting to plant wiretaps and steal documents
• The Nixon administration initially denied involvement in the break-in, but subsequent investigations revealed a cover-up attempt and a larger pattern of illegal activities
• Key figures in the scandal included:
  • John Mitchell, former Attorney General and head of CREEP
  • H.R. Haldeman and John Ehrlichman, Nixon's chief of staff and domestic policy advisor, respectively
  • John Dean, White House Counsel, who later testified against Nixon
• The Senate Watergate Committee, chaired by Senator Sam Ervin (D-NC), held televised hearings that captivated the nation and exposed the extent of the scandal
• The revelation of the existence of a secret White House taping system and the subsequent battle over access to the tapes (Nixon v. United States) became a central focus of the investigation
• The Saturday Night Massacre (October 20, 1973) saw Nixon fire independent special prosecutor Archibald Cox and the resignations of Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus
  • This event further eroded public trust in Nixon and intensified calls for his impeachment
• The House Judiciary Committee began impeachment proceedings against Nixon in 1974, citing obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress
• Facing near-certain impeachment and conviction, Nixon announced his resignation on August 8, 1974, becoming the first and only US president to resign from office

Aftermath and Resignation

• Following Nixon's resignation, Vice President Gerald Ford assumed the presidency on August 9, 1974
• In a controversial move, Ford issued a full pardon to Nixon for any crimes he may have committed while in office, arguing that it was necessary for the nation to move forward
  • The pardon was met with criticism from many who felt that Nixon should have been held accountable for his actions
• Several key figures in the Nixon administration, including John Mitchell, H.R. Haldeman, and John Ehrlichman, were convicted of various crimes related to the Watergate scandal and served prison sentences
• The Watergate scandal led to a series of reforms aimed at preventing future abuses of power and increasing transparency in government
  • These reforms included the Ethics in Government Act (1978), which established financial disclosure requirements for government officials and created the Office of the Independent Counsel
  • The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA, 1978) was enacted to provide judicial oversight of government surveillance activities
• The scandal also had a profound impact on American political culture, contributing to a growing sense of distrust in government and a more adversarial relationship between the media and politicians
• The term "Watergate" has since become synonymous with political scandals and cover-ups, and is often used as a suffix to describe other controversies (Irangate, Deflategate)

Legacy and Impact on American Politics

• The Watergate scandal had far-reaching consequences for American politics and society, with effects that continue to be felt decades later
• The scandal eroded public trust in government and politicians, contributing to a growing sense of cynicism and disillusionment among Americans
  • This loss of trust has had long-term implications for political participation, voter turnout, and the public's perception of elected officials
• Watergate led to increased scrutiny of presidential power and a renewed emphasis on the system of checks and balances outlined in the Constitution
  • Congress passed several laws aimed at curbing executive power and increasing transparency, such as the War Powers Resolution (1973) and the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act (1974)
• The role of the media in exposing political scandals and holding those in power accountable was highlighted during Watergate, with journalists such as Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein becoming household names
  • The scandal reinforced the importance of a free press in maintaining a healthy democracy and inspired a generation of investigative journalists
• Watergate also had a significant impact on the Republican Party, which struggled to distance itself from the scandal and rebuild its reputation in the years that followed
  • The scandal contributed to the Democratic Party's success in the 1974 midterm elections and the 1976 presidential election (Jimmy Carter)
• The post-Watergate era saw a shift towards more open and transparent government, with increased public access to government records (Freedom of Information Act amendments) and greater oversight of intelligence agencies
• The legacy of Watergate continues to shape American political discourse and public perceptions of government, serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of accountability

Pop Culture and Social Context

• The Watergate scandal unfolded against the backdrop of significant social and cultural changes in the United States
• The early 1970s saw the continuation of the counterculture movement, which had emerged in the 1960s as a response to the Vietnam War, civil rights struggles, and traditional social norms
  • The Watergate scandal, with its themes of government corruption and abuse of power, resonated with the anti-establishment sentiments of the counterculture
• The scandal also coincided with the rise of investigative journalism and a more adversarial relationship between the media and politicians
  • The 1976 film "All the President's Men," based on the book by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, dramatized the role of the press in exposing the scandal and became a classic of the political thriller genre
• The Watergate hearings, which were televised nationally, became a media spectacle and a shared national experience
  • The hearings drew high ratings and introduced the American public to figures such as Senator Sam Ervin, whose folksy demeanor and legal acumen made him a popular figure
• The scandal also inspired numerous works of fiction, including novels (The Company, by John Ehrlichman), films (Nixon, directed by Oliver Stone), and television series (Blind Ambition, Washington: Behind Closed Doors)
• Watergate entered the popular lexicon, with terms such as "cover-up," "deep throat" (the pseudonym of Woodward and Bernstein's anonymous source), and the suffix "-gate" becoming widely used
• The fashion and design trends of the early 1970s, such as bell-bottom jeans, platform shoes, and earth-tone colors, provide a visual backdrop to the Watergate era
• The scandal unfolded during a time of economic uncertainty, with the United States facing stagflation (a combination of high inflation and slow economic growth) and the 1973 oil crisis
  • These economic challenges, combined with the political turmoil of Watergate, contributed to a sense of national malaise and a loss of confidence in American institutions