The 1970s (Nixon, Ford and Carter)

The high inflation rates of the late 1960s and early 1970s were primarily a result of

• increased investment in major industries

• spending on the Vietnam War and social-welfare programs of the Great Society

• major federal tax increases

Nixon followed a policy of realpolitik, this means he

• made decisions based on maintaining their own strength rather than following moral principles

• made decisions based on moral principles rather than on maintaining their own strength

• made decisions based on the works of German philosophers

Why did President Nixon make efforts to improve relations with Communist China?

• He was afraid of China becoming a superpower

• To ensure American athletes could attend the Olympics in Bejing

• To put pressure on the Soviet Union to cooperate more with the United States

The SALT I treaty was based on the idea of

• balancing nuclear arms development and deployment between the superpowers

• the United States achieving superiority over the Soviet Union

• creating a basis for diplomatic ties between the United States and China

In foreign affairs, perhaps Nixon’s greatest accomplishment was

• establishing the People’s Republic of China

• bringing about détente with the Soviet Union and China

• abandoning realpolitik, or practical politics

What part of President Kennedy’s legacy was fulfilled when President Nixon was in office?

• The United States won the war in Vietnam.

• Congress enacted far-reaching civil rights legislation.

• NASA succeeded in putting a man on the moon.

Under New Federalism, President Nixon proposed to 

• shift federal money to states and cities.

• increase taxes to fight the Cold War.

• expand the provisions of the Voting Rights Act.

Why did the Watergate break-in occur?

• The Committee to Reelect the President (CReeP) wanted to wiretap phones in the Democratic National Headquarters.

• The Committee to Reelect the President (CReeP) needed money to carry on its work.

• The FBI and CIA wanted information about the Democratic presidential campaign.

What was Nixon’s role in Watergate?

• He tried to have the CIA block the FBI investigation into the Watergate break-in and was involved in the cover-up of the scandal.

• He re-appointed a special prosecutor, Archibald Cox, to investigate the charges after the “Saturday Night Massacre”

• He helped collect secret funds with CReeP and spent them on a sabotage campaign.

Why did Nixon resign?

• To restore confidence in government

• To avoid possible impeachment

• To avoid turning over his tapes