Crisis Of Political Leadership 1973-80

Question 1

What significant political event occurred in the USA in 1974?

Answer 1

President Nixon resigned

This was the only time in American history that a sitting president resigned.

Question 2

What was the term used to describe the economic conditions in the USA from 1973 to 1980?

Answer 2

Stagflation

Stagflation refers to a period of rising inflation and rising unemployment.

Question 3

What were the two crises that affected the US economy during the 1970s?

Answer 3

Two oil crises

The first oil crisis in 1973 saw oil prices quadruple, and the second in 1979 saw them double again.

Question 4

Which Supreme Court decision in 1973 extended women’s rights in the USA?

Answer 4

Roe v Wade

This decision legalized abortion in the United States.

Question 5

What major political change occurred in Iran in 1979?

Answer 5

The Shah of Iran was overthrown

He was replaced by a radical Islamist government.

Question 6

What was the impact of the Vietnam War on US foreign policy by 1975?

Answer 6

Communist forces took control of South Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos

This marked a significant shift in the geopolitical landscape of Southeast Asia.

Question 7

What social movement was inspired by black American radicals in the 1970s?

Answer 7

The American Indian movement

This movement sought to address issues faced by Native Americans.

Question 8

How did popular culture change in the USA during the years 1973 to 1980?

Answer 8

Reflected changes in civil rights and personal freedom

This was evident in cinema, television, popular music, and sports.

Question 9

What was the overall atmosphere in the USA during the 1970s?

Answer 9

An age of crisis

This period followed the age of affluence in the 1950s and the age of protest in the 1960s.

Question 10

Who became president in 1976 after defeating Ford?

Answer 10

Jimmy Carter

Carter’s presidency began in a time of political and economic uncertainty.

Question 11

Fill in the blank: The period 1973 to 1980 saw the US involved in a crisis of _______.

Answer 11

political leadership

Question 12

True or False: The 1970s in the USA were characterized by economic growth and stability.

Answer 12

False

The decade was marked by stagnation and economic challenges.

Question 14

What event marked a significant political crisis in the USA during 1973 to 1974?

Answer 14

The Watergate scandal marked a significant political crisis in the USA during 1973 to 1974.

Question 15

What was the outcome of the 1972 presidential election for Nixon?

Answer 15

Nixon won the 1972 presidential election by one of the biggest margins in US history, receiving 47.1 million votes against 29 million for McGovern.

Question 16

What led to Nixon’s resignation as president?

Answer 16

Nixon was forced to resign due to the Watergate scandal and the threat of impeachment by Congress.

Question 17

What was the Watergate scandal initially discovered as?

Answer 17

The Watergate scandal was initially discovered as a burglary at the presidential campaign headquarters in the Watergate building.

Question 18

Who were implicated in the Watergate scandal besides the burglars?

Answer 18

Nixon’s senior advisers, John Ehrlichman and Robert Haldeman, were also implicated in the Watergate scandal.

Question 19

What happened to Vice President Spiro Agnew during the Watergate crisis?

Answer 19

Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned on charges of tax evasion not directly linked to the Watergate scandal.

Question 20

What legislation limited presidential military powers following Nixon’s actions?

Answer 20

The War Powers Act of 1973 limited the power of the US president to use military force abroad.

Question 21

What did the Hughes-Ryan Amendment require from the president?

Answer 21

The Hughes-Ryan Amendment required the president to report to Congress on all undercover operations by intelligence agencies.

Question 22

What act was passed in 1978 to enhance government ethics?

Answer 22

The Ethics in Government Act was passed in 1978, requiring senior government officials to disclose their finances.

Question 24

What is the value of Source 1 for an enquiry into the Watergate scandal?

Answer 24

Source 1 provides insight into Nixon’s perspective during his resignation in 1974, reflecting on his time in office and the challenges faced.

It is Nixon’s resignation speech, which can help understand the historical context of his resignation.

Question 25

What significant actions did Nixon take during his presidency?

Answer 25

Nixon was responsible for the US withdrawal from the Vietnam War and restoring diplomatic relations with communist China, as well as improving relations with the Soviet Union.

Question 26

What led to Nixon's resignation?

Answer 26

Nixon resigned due to the Watergate scandal, which involved accusations of underhand tactics against political opponents and obstructing investigations.

Question 27

When did Nixon resign?

Answer 27

Nixon resigned in August 1974.

Question 28

What was unique about Gerald Ford's presidency?

Answer 28

Gerald Ford became president without winning an election, making him the only person in American history to do so.

Question 29

What challenges did Ford face during his presidency?

Answer 29

Ford faced issues such as the fall of South Vietnam, inflation, unemployment, and the need to restore the reputation of the presidency.

Question 30

How did Jimmy Carter's leadership style differ from Nixon's?

Answer 30

Carter was seen as more approachable and casual, often engaging with ordinary Americans, contrasting Nixon's more devious reputation.

Question 31

What was the voter turnout trend following the Watergate scandal?

Answer 31

There was a significant decline in voter turnout, with a drop from 1980 to 53 percent, and a low of less than 38 percent in subsequent elections.

Question 32

What challenges did Carter face during his presidency?

Answer 32

Carter faced difficulties such as the Iran Hostage Crisis, economic stagflation, and a lack of political support.

Question 34

What approach did Carter take during his presidency?

Answer 34

Carter adopted a more open and unpretentious approach, attending town council meetings and engaging with ordinary citizens.

Question 35

What was the voter turnout trend in the USA following the Watergate scandal?

Answer 35

Voter turnout declined significantly, falling from at least 60 percent in the 1950s and 1960s to 54 percent in 1976 and 53 percent in 1980.

Question 36

How did the voting age change in 1969?

Answer 36

The Constitution was amended to lower the voting age from 21 years to 18 years.

Question 37

What was the turnout rate for congressional elections in low-income areas of New York City?

Answer 37

In low-income areas like South Bronx and Bedford-Stuyvesant, the turnout rate was 21.8 percent and 18.8 percent respectively.

Question 38

What was a significant challenge Carter faced during his presidency?

Answer 38

Carter faced economic problems, including stagflation, high inflation, and rising unemployment.

Question 39

What was the impact of the Yom Kippur War on the US economy?

Answer 39

Global oil prices rose fourfold, significantly affecting the US economy as it was the world's greatest consumer of oil.

Question 40

How did Carter's lack of experience affect his presidency?

Answer 40

Carter's lack of experience became a liability as he struggled to work with Congress and adopted an aloof style.

Question 41

What was the public perception of Carter as a presidential candidate?

Answer 41

Carter was seen as an outsider, not corrupted by federal politics, which was one of his biggest assets.

Question 42

How did disillusionment with Ford manifest in the 1976 election?

Answer 42

Ford barely won his party's nomination and only narrowly defeated Ronald Reagan for the presidency.

Question 43

What was the political climate in the USA during Carter's presidency?

Answer 43

There was growing disillusionment with national politicians and a general atmosphere of distrust following the Watergate scandal.

Question 45

What was Carter's goal for the economy in 1977?

Answer 45

Carter hoped to stimulate domestic demand to encourage economic recovery.

Question 46

What happened to unemployment during Carter's first year?

Answer 46

Unemployment fell from eight percent to seven percent in 1977.

Question 47

What was the unemployment rate by the end of 1978?

Answer 47

Unemployment rose to ten percent by the end of 1978.

Question 48

What was the inflation rate by 1980?

Answer 48

Inflation reached 13 percent by 1980.

Question 49

What were interest rates at during Carter's presidency?

Answer 49

Interest rates rose to a staggering 20 percent.

Question 50

What was regarded as the most important domestic issue during Carter's presidency?

Answer 50

The economy was regarded as the most important domestic issue.

Question 51

What was the public's perception of Carter's leadership?

Answer 51

Carter's failure to improve the economy led to disillusionment with national politicians.

Question 52

What did Carter emphasize in his State of the Union address on January 19, 1978?

Answer 52

Carter emphasized the need to increase production and cut down on waste.

Question 53

What were the four principles of Carter's economic policy?

Answer 53

1. The economy must expand to produce new jobs and better income. 2. Private business must lead the expansion. 3. Lower the rate of inflation and keep it down. 4. Contribute to the strength of the world economy.

Question 54

What event in January 1979 affected Carter's popularity?

Answer 54

The Shah of Iran was overthrown in a revolution, replaced by an anti-American regime.

Question 55

What happened on November 4, 1979?

Answer 55

A mob surrounded the US Embassy in Tehran and took 66 Americans hostage.

Question 56

What was the outcome of the military mission authorized by Carter in April 1980?

Answer 56

The mission ended in disaster with US military planes and helicopters crashing.

Question 57

When did the hostage crisis end?

Answer 57

The crisis ended after Carter left office, once Reagan became president in January 1981.

Question 58

What significant event occurred at the end of 1979 that impacted Carter's presidency?

Answer 58

The USSR invaded and occupied Afghanistan on December 27, 1979.

Question 59

What was Carter's controversial response to the USSR's invasion of Afghanistan?

Answer 59

Carter announced a boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games.

Question 60

Who won the 1980 presidential election?

Answer 60

Ronald Reagan won comfortably against Carter.

Question 61

What was the vote count in the 1980 presidential election?

Answer 61

Reagan received nearly 44 million votes, while Carter received 35.5 million.

Question 62

How many states did Carter win in the 1980 election?

Answer 62

Carter won only four states: Georgia, Minnesota, West Virginia, and Hawaii.

Question 64

What was the economic recovery rate during Carter's presidency?

Answer 64

Carter's economic recovery initially rose to 13 percent but then increased to a staggering 20 percent.

Question 65

What was a significant foreign policy issue during Carter's presidency?

Answer 65

The Iranian hostage crisis, where a mob took Americans hostage on 4 November 1979.

Question 66

What was one of Carter's major achievements in foreign policy?

Answer 66

Carter helped negotiate peace between Israel and Egypt and transferred control of the Panama Canal to Panama.

Question 67

What environmental legislation was passed during the Nixon administration?

Answer 67

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) were established in 1970.

Question 68

What major environmental disaster occurred in 1978?

Answer 68

The Love Canal incident, where residents suffered from pollution-related health issues, leading to a Senate inquiry and a $30 million cleanup.

Question 69

What happened at Three Mile Island in March 1979?

Answer 69

The most serious nuclear accident in American history occurred, causing 10,000 people to flee their homes.

Question 70

What was the outcome of the Tellico Dam controversy?

Answer 70

Environmentalists opposed the dam due to its threat to wildlife, but it was ultimately built after Congress intervened.

Question 71

What was the Alaska Land Law of 1980?

Answer 71

It doubled the acreage of land set aside for national parks and wildlife refuges.

Question 72

What is an NGO?

Answer 72

An NGO stands for non-governmental organization, such as the Red Cross or other private aid agencies.

Question 73

Who was Ralph Nader?

Answer 73

Ralph Nader was a founder of Public Citizen, an NGO that campaigned on issues like product safety and environmental protection.

Question 74

What was the impact of Rachel Carson's book 'Silent Spring'?

Answer 74

It raised national awareness about environmental issues and pollution.