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Watergate Scandal
On June 17th, 1972, several men were arrested inside of the Democratic National Committee. These men were connected with Nixon's reelection team and were caught tring to wire phones. Nixon at first denied the claims and tried to cover it up. Nixon evenutally had to turn over the taped converations that he had. He later resigned before he could be impeached. -
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Cold War Presidents
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Gerald Ford Becomes President
Gerald Ford becomes president after Nixon resigns. He entered the White House with high approcal ratings; however, he inherited many issues dealing with the economy and foreign policies. -
Proclamation 4311
The Proclamation 4311 was given during Ford's administration. It was a pardon for the previous president, Nixon. -
Ford's Plans for Office
Gerald Ford had inherited many issues when he became president. One of his goals was to curb inflation. He also tried to stimulate the nation's economy. In foreign affairs, Ford tried to maintain peace in the Middle East. He also maintained Detente with the Soviet Union. -
Helsinki Accords
This was a major diplomatic agreement that was signed it Finland. The Helsinki Accords were primarily used to reduce tenstion between the Soviet and Westen blocs. The accords were signed by Europe, the United States, and Canada. -
Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter was elected president on November 2nd, 1976. His main focus was the American economy. He had to deal with unemployment, inflation, and the rising price of fuel. His foreign policies included SALT II and the Camp David Accords. -
Camp David Accords
One of Carter's most successful foreign policies was the Camp David Accords. This was an agreement between Israel and Egypt in an attempt to create peace in the Middle East. The Accords included three basic principles: a process for Palestinian self-government, a framework for the conclusion of a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, and a similar framework for peace treaties between Israel and other nations. -
Iran Hostage Crisis
The Iranian Hostage Crisis was one of the most devestating events during Carter's administration. Revolutionary gaurds incaded the American embassy in Iran. They took 66 hostages. The hostages were not released until after Carter left office and Reagan was sworn in. -
Carter's Successes in Foreign Policy
Carter's most successful foreign policy was the Camp David Accords. This was an agreement between Israel and Egypt that was meant to cause peace in the Middle East. Carter also negotiated SALT II, which placed a limit on the number of missles and bombers that the US and the Soviet Union could have. -
Reagan Becomes President
Ronald Reagan was sworn into office on January 20th, 1981. He was very populat at the time because he was a former actor. He was also the oldest president ever elected to office. His three main priorities were: to increase military spending, to cut domestic spending, and to cut the federal income tax. -
Reagan's Domestic and Foreign Policies
Reagan came into office with three domestic goals: to increase military spending, to cut domestic spending and government-sponsored social programs, and to cut the federal income tax. When he came into office, he had virtually no foreign policy experience. He wanted to undermine communsim and he was harshly critical of the Soviet Union. He also came into office pro-Israel. -
Boland Amendment
The Boland Amendment consisted of two amendments that prohibited the US government from attempting to overthrow the leftist government of Nicaragua. Congress passed this because they were unhappy with the administrations Central American policy. -
SDI-Star Wars
The SDI, or the Strategic Defense Inititive, was Reagan's program to defend the US with sophisitcated technologies. He announced the plan aganist the advice of his foreign policy team. SDI would create a serie of space stations armed with lasers that would destroy enemy missiles fired at the US. Many people worried that the SDI would be expensive and impractical. -
US Involvement with Granada/ Latin America
Reagan feared communist influence so his administration supported the besieged government of El Salvador and sought to overthrow the new governement of of Nicaragua. Reagan ordered US troops into the nation of Grenada. In Nicaragua, Reagan authorized $20 million for covert operations to support the Contras. -
AFDC Expanded
The AFDC was a federal assistance program that provided financial assistance to children whose families had low incomes. AFDC stands for Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Reagan wanted to cut back on government spending, so he cut back on the AFDC. -
Reagan Economics
Reagan wanted to cut taxes by about 30% during his first term. He also cut a number of federal programs. He spent more on military, about $229 billion. In the short run, Reagan's policies negatively affected the economy. The federal deficit nearly tripled from $914 to $2.7 trillion. -
Iran Contra Affair
The United States was sending aid to the Contras. In October, 1986, an American cargo plane headed for Contra was shot down in Nicaragua. The Sandinista government let the world know that the US was giving aid to Contra. A month later, a newspaper published an account about US arms sales to Iran in exchange for the release of hostages. This was significant because it broke US laws and some called for Reagan's impeachment. -
Mr. Gorbacheva Tear Down this Wall! Speech
During Reagan's administration, the Cold War was finally coming to a close. Reagan and Gorbachev were ready to work together for peace. Reagan traveled to Berlin and facing the Berlin Wall, he said "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this Wall!" The speech seemed to have been to reeassure the critics and to demand the destruction of the Berlin walll. -
INF Treaty Signed
The INF treaty was between the United States and the Soviet Union. The INF dramatically reduced intermediate-range nuclear forces. This was a significant foreign success for Reagan. -
Election of 1988
George H.W. Bush won the Republican nomination and Michael Dukakis won the democratice nomination. Bush had TV ads, while Dukakis focused on competence and not campaiging. Bush won the presidentcy 49 million to 42 million.
