Changes

The 1970s saw a series of severe political and economic problems that convulsed much of the United States. Richard Nixon became the first president to resign in office, Gerald Ford became the first unelected president, and Jimmy Carter appeared unable to cope with increasing problems. Fallout from the Vietnam War and Watergate scandals disrupted public trust in government while two oil shocks and outsourcing caused tremendous shocks to the economy.

===Nixon and the Public Trust===

Nixon soon became a popular but polarizing figure. His commitment to law enforcement was matched by government spying on anti-war and fringe political groups. Nixon also implemented a series of major government reforms including the Environmental Protection Agency. The economy soon appeared to be stabilizing until a massive oil shock in Nixon's second term. The 1973 Yom Kippur War between Israel and its neighbors sent shockwaves through the rest of the world. Several major oil producers, led by Saudi Arabia, cut off oil to the West due to their support of Israel. By 1974 the price of crude quadrupled and global economies saw tremendous economic damage.

===Carter's Presidency and Further Trouble===

Gerald Ford succeeded Nixon to the Presidency and pardoned him in September 1974. Ford's Presidency had to handle the aftermath of Vietnam and Watergate, as well as economic struggles. Ford had not been elected Vice President in 1972, but entered that position when Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned in October 1973 in the midst of a bribery scandal. South Vietnam fell to North Vietnamese forces in 1975. All of these factors combined to cast doubt on Ford's presidency.

*[[The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact- Stalin’s greatest mistake?]]

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===References===

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