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.

The 1960s were a tumultuous time for the United States and abroad. The U.S. saw the assassination of major figures, including President John F. Kennedy, Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King. The country also became embroiled in the Vietnam War, with commitment peaking in 1968 with 600,000 combat troops-- many of whom were draftees. A burgeoning counterculture movement emerged as the Baby Boom generation came of age. Crime spiked across the country, even during a time of an improving economy. In this backdrop former Vice President Richard Nixon was elected President in 1968 on a platform of cracking down on crime and ending the war in Vietnam.

[[File:Nixon-depart.png|300px|thumb|left|In 1974 Richard Nixon became the first and only president to resign]]

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.

Furthermore, the Nixon Administration became embroiled with the largest scandal in American political history. Questions swirled about how much President Nixon knew about the break in at the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee at the Watergate Hotel, in Washington. As it became apparent that the White House directed a massive cover-up public support for Nixon cratered. Nixon's second term was spent in scandal, resulting in Nixon's resignation in August 1974. Trust in public institutions were shattered. <ref>Bernstein, Carl and Woodward, Bob, ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1476770514/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1476770514&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=b024b83a3c3b426c31a503b5d6aea2cb All the President's Men]''. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1974. Pages 67-71.</ref>

[[File:Carter_Shah.jpeg|350px|thumbnail|The overthrow of the Shah of Iran proved crucial to Carter's presidency]]

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.

Facing these various challenges, Carter held a summit with leaders to discuss the nation's problems. Out of this meeting, Carter made an important July 1979 speech to the country, describing these issues as a "crisis of confidence" facing the nation. This speech was criticized as the "malaise" speech, further deteriorating public trust in Carter. Carter appointed Paul Volcker as the new Federal Reserve Chairman and pursued a sharp hike in interest rates to quell inflation. This effort would work in the long run but also caused a sharp recession right as Carter sought re-election. <ref>Hargrove, Erwin, ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0807114995/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0807114995&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=4e2bd4828d391c897c94da28f665c773 Jimmy Carter as President: Leadership and the Politics of the Public Good]''. Baton Rouge and London: Louisiana State University Press, 1988. Pages 48, 66-68</ref>

President Carter faced a strong primary challenge from Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy. Carter eventually won but the wound between the two did not heal during the election season. Carter was faced in the general election by Republican former California Governor Ronald Reagan and independent John Anderson. Carter hoped that Reagan's hardline anti-Communist message and conservative governance would allow for a relatively easy campaign. In November 1980 Carter was stunned as Reagan won about 51% to Carter's 41%. Carter left the White House regarded as a well-meaning but ultimately ineffective executive.

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*[[How did Vladimir Lenin Rise To Power?]]

*[[Angels of the Underground: Interview with Theresa Kaminski]]