theme 3 - the crisis of political leadership Flashcards
(9 cards)
what was the Watergate scandal?
Nixon’s Committee to Reelect the President (CREEP) wanted to gain electoral advantage by acquiring Democratic Party secrets
CREEP organised 2 illegal break-ins into the Democratic National Committee hqs in the Watergate building to install surveillance devices
after 2nd break-in, Nixon discussed using the CIA to stop the FBI investigating CREEPs financing of the break-ins - a clear attempt to obstruct justice
How did the Watergate scandal limit the power of the president?
it prompted reforms that increased congressional oversight, regulated campaign finance, expanded government transparency, restricted executive privilege, and heightened public and media scrutiny
why did Nixon resign?
after the Watergate tapes revealed he’s ordered the cover up, the House of Representatives wanted to impeach him
resigned to avoid impeachment (August 1974)
how was Ford portrayed in the media?
made fun of due to loss of respect for the presidency, the fact he hadn’t been elected, and his informality
e.g showed pictures of him falling over and called him ‘Jerry the Jerk’
what happened in the 1976 presidential election?
Ford was defeated by Carter
Carter emphasised his role of being an outsider who’d never been involved in the corrupt Washington scene
how did the Iranian hostage crisis affect Carter’s presidency?
America felt humiliated, worsened when Carter tried and failed to negotiate their release
1980: only 18% of Americans rated Carter as a ‘very strong leader’
failure in effectively managing the crisis les him to lose in the election against Reagan
why did people start to care about the environment?
increased publicity
awareness that the Earth’s resources were finite
desire to experience wilderness and parks
what legislation was passed to help protect the environment?
1976 Toxic Substances Control Act
- to cut down exhaust emissions
1980 Alaska Land Act
- set aside 1/3 of the state as wilderness
Carter renewed the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts
how did the environment affect politics?
created intra-party and inter-party conflict, and conservative backlash
tension arose between the federal government and several states
