Nixon & Watergate
Who did Nixon call the "silent majority"?
People who didn't protest or demonstrate.
What action did Gerald Ford take regarding Richard Nixon after Watergate?
He pardoned Richard Nixon.
What was the purpose of the S.A.L.T. talks?
Arms limitation — limiting the number of nuclear missiles each nation had.
What political views are generally associated with liberals (as asked in the guide)?
Liberals typically supported active government programs to address social issues, civil rights, and social welfare.
Define "stagflation" as described in the study guide.
When prices rise but there is no economic growth — the economy remains stagnant.
What is a "pardon" and what effect did Ford's pardon have legally for Nixon?
A pardon removes legal penalties; Ford's pardon prevented Nixon from being tried for crimes related to Watergate.
What happened to South Vietnam during Ford’s presidency?
South Vietnam fell to North Vietnam (the country was reunified under communist control).
What political views are generally associated with conservatives (as asked in the guide)?
Conservatives emphasized limited government, free markets, traditional social values, and strong national defense.
What criminal event at a Washington complex led to the Watergate scandal?
Break-in/burglaries at the Watergate office complex to gather political information about the Democratic Party.
Which religious/political group supported Jimmy Carter and why (per the study guide)?
Christian fundamentalists because Carter had been a Sunday school teacher.
Why did Carter withdraw from the S.A.L.T. negotiations (or refuse to ratify further agreement)?
Because the Soviets invaded Afghanistan (Carter withdrew or paused SALT progress in response).
According to the guide, why did liberalism begin to lose appeal?
Liberalism lost appeal partly because of economic troubles (stagflation), perceived government ineffectiveness, and cultural shifts questioning institutions.
What legal doctrine did Nixon try to invoke to refuse handing over the White House tapes?
Executive privilege.
What did Carter offer as "amnesty"? Who benefited from this policy?
He offered amnesty to people who had dodged the draft (Vietnam draft dodgers).
Identify one controversial action Carter took involving Panama (leave space for students to recall details).
(Controversial Panama move) — the Panama Canal treaties (Panama Canal handover/treaties)
Identify one cultural or political shift from the 1970s that helped Reagan's rise.
Cultural/political shifts: rising distrust after Watergate, economic malaise (stagflation), and the cultural move toward individualism ("Me Generation") that aligned with Reagan's messaging on smaller government and traditional values.
Explain one major political consequence Watergate had on public trust and how investigations tied Nixon to the break-in.
Watergate caused deep public distrust of politicians; investigations showed Nixon's reelection campaign financed the burglars and linked him directly to the break-in.
Describe features of the "Me Generation" and one way it challenged traditional values.
Focused on self-indulgence, fitness, recreational drug use; they challenged traditional values about marriage, religion, and politics.
a) Describe one Carter success in the Middle East.
b) Describe one Carter failure in the Middle East.
(This is a two-part 500-point question—answer both.)
Success — Camp David Accords (peace agreement between Egypt and Israel).
Failure — Iran hostage crisis (failed rescue and long hostage ordeal); domestic political fallout hurting Carter's popularity.
Explain how the public mood after the 1970s economic and political events (for example, stagflation, Watergate, Iran hostage crisis) created an opening for Reagan's presidential message.
The combination of economic stagnation with inflation, political scandals like Watergate, and crises such as the Iran hostage situation made voters more open to Reagan's promise of stronger leadership, economic revival, and restored national pride.