Unit 6: Topic 1

Question 1

What is stagflation?

Answer 1

Recession/slow growth (stagnant economy) combined with inflation.

Question 2

Define pork-barrel politics.

Answer 2

Refusal to vote for legislation unless benefits own constituents.

Question 3

What is a personality cult?

Answer 3

When a leader controls propaganda to create an idolised image of themselves.

Question 4

How did Ford and Carter try to differentiate themselves from Nixon?

Answer 4

By adopting a new leadership style that was less formal.

Question 5

What was the public’s expectation of Ford and Carter after Nixon’s presidency?

Answer 5

The American public hoped for a ‘regular guy’ in the White House.

Question 6

How did Ford attempt to present himself to the American people?

Answer 6

As a man of the people, including waving to the press in his pyjamas.

Question 7

What significant event damaged Ford’s popularity?

Answer 7

His pardoning of Nixon.

Question 8

What was Jimmy Carter’s approach to formality in the presidency?

Answer 8

He rejected excessive formality.

Question 9

What informal gesture did Carter make after his inauguration?

Answer 9

He and his family walked down Pennsylvania Avenue.

Question 10

List some problems faced by Ford and Carter during their presidencies.

Answer 10

[“Links to decline in national self-confidence”, “Perception as poor leaders”, “Domestic misfortunes”, “Economic problems”, “International crises”]

Question 11

What was Gerald Ford’s background before the presidency?

Answer 11

Attended University of Michigan on an athletics scholarship and served in the Navy during WW2.

Question 12

Why did Ford decline Nixon’s offer to be his VP in 1968?

Answer 12

He hoped to become House Speaker.

Question 13

What was a significant challenge Ford faced regarding Congress?

Answer 13

He found it difficult to work with Congress due to losses in the 1974 midterm elections.

Question 14

How did Ford’s presidency end?

Answer 14

He was defeated by Carter in 1976.

Question 15

What was one of Ford’s aims during his presidency?

Answer 15

To put an end to the period of depression and social unrest after Kennedy’s assassination.

Question 16

What key issue tainted Ford’s presidency?

Answer 16

The scandal of Nixon and Watergate.

Question 17

What was one of Ford’s controversial decisions?

Answer 17

Pardoning Nixon for all offenses.

Question 18

What was the public’s reaction to Ford’s pardon of Nixon?

Answer 18

It led to outrage and a significant decline in Ford’s reputation.

Question 19

What was a significant aspect of Jimmy Carter’s early political career?

Answer 19

He was a successful Governor of Georgia.

Question 20

What did Carter’s policies initially aim to address?

Answer 20

Heal divides in the country.

Question 21

What was a major legislative failure of Carter’s presidency?

Answer 21

Unwillingness to use his position to build alliances in Congress.

Question 22

How did the media’s treatment of Carter differ from Ford’s?

Answer 22

Carter’s initial popularity faded quickly and he faced mockery for various incidents.

Question 23

What did Carter’s ‘malaise’ speech address?

Answer 23

A crisis of confidence in American democracy.

Question 24

What did Carter identify as symptoms of the crisis facing America?

Answer 24

[“Disrespect for government”, “Decreased voter turnout”, “Loss of faith in institutions”]

Question 25

What was Carter's stance on energy policy?

Answer 25

He aimed to reduce dependence on foreign oil and promote alternative energy sources.

Question 26

What was the public's response to Carter's energy initiatives?

Answer 26

Initially positive, but quickly turned negative as perceptions shifted.

Question 27

What events contributed to Carter's declining popularity?

Answer 27

["The Iranian hostage crisis", "Economic issues", "Media portrayal of personal incidents"]

Question 28

What was the public perception of Carter after the 1979 malaise speech?

Answer 28

Carter was seen as indecisive and negative, with the media and Republicans associating him with 'malaise'. ## Footnote This perception was compounded by various events that damaged his public image.

Question 29

What incident in August 1979 damaged Carter's public image?

Answer 29

Carter was attacked by a rabbit. ## Footnote This unusual incident contributed to a negative perception of his presidency.

Question 30

What was the Three Mile Island Accident?

Answer 30

A serious nuclear accident at a reactor in Pennsylvania in March 1979 that heightened public fears of a nuclear catastrophe. ## Footnote It led to significant public demonstrations and the shutdown of several nuclear plants.

Question 31

What percentage of eligible Americans voted in the 1976 presidential election?

Answer 31

54%. ## Footnote This was the lowest presidential election turnout since 1948.

Question 32

What was Carter's percentage of the vote in the 1976 election?

Answer 32

49.9%. ## Footnote He defeated Ford, who received 47.9% of the vote.

Question 33

What factor contributed to electoral disillusionment during the 1976 election?

Answer 33

Many voters felt there was 'no practical difference' between the candidates. ## Footnote Polls showed that 61% felt Ford hadn’t done anything politically appealing.

Question 34

What were some of Carter's strengths as a candidate?

Answer 34

* Genuine religious commitment * Appeal to conservatives * Strong support among black voters * Campaigning in 37 states * Portrayal as a Washington outsider * Focus on corruption issues ## Footnote Carter's campaign resonated with the public's desire for change from corrupt Washington politics.

Question 35

What were some weaknesses in Ford's campaign?

Answer 35

* Divided Republican Party * Perceived weakness in foreign policy * Economic issues like inflation * Corruption perceptions ## Footnote These weaknesses contributed to his loss in the election.

Question 36

What did Ford mean by 'time for healing'?

Answer 36

A call for national unity and recovery from the divisions caused by the Vietnam War and Watergate. ## Footnote However, he struggled to address ongoing issues like poverty and race relations.

Question 37

What significant event did Carter address in his July 1976 speech at the Democratic Convention?

Answer 37

Growing American distrust of government and social divisions. ## Footnote This was in the context of a politically charged environment following the Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam War.

Question 38

What was the significance of the Stonewall riots in 1969?

Answer 38

They marked a greater rights consciousness among gay men in response to police harassment. ## Footnote This event is often seen as a catalyst for the modern LGBTQ rights movement.

Question 39

What was the Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade?

Answer 39

Legalized abortion in the first 13 weeks of pregnancy. ## Footnote This landmark decision was based on the case of a Texas woman unable to raise a child due to poverty.

Question 40

What did the 1975 Taylor v. Louisiana ruling establish?

Answer 40

Excluding women from the jury pool is illegal as it violates the right to a fair trial. ## Footnote This case reinforced the importance of representation in the judicial system.

Question 41

What was the economic status of women in the 1970s?

Answer 41

Women earned 73% of men's salaries and were under-represented in executive positions. ## Footnote Despite improvements, women still faced significant economic inequality.

Question 42

What did the 1976 Bryan v. Itasca County Supreme Court ruling achieve for Native Americans?

Answer 42

Ruled that states could not tax the property of indigenous Americans living on reservations. ## Footnote This led to greater freedoms for tribes, including the ability to operate casinos.

Question 43

What was a major issue faced by the poor during the 1970s?

Answer 43

Increased homelessness and poverty rates due to economic recession. ## Footnote The number of homeless Americans was estimated at 500,000 by 1980.

Question 44

What did Carter allocate in 1977 to help combat poverty?

Answer 44

$4 billion for public works and increased federal aid to the poor. ## Footnote Despite these efforts, progress on poverty was limited due to budget balancing priorities.

Question 45

What was Ford's position on women's rights?

Answer 45

Pro-women's rights but had little time to make a difference.

Question 46

What act did Ford sign to outlaw credit discrimination?

Answer 46

Equal Credit Opportunity Act.

Question 47

Who was Betty Ford and what were her contributions?

Answer 47

Ford's wife, influential in speaking about abortion and addiction, founded the Betty Ford clinic.

Question 48

What was Betty Ford's approval rating based on her openness about personal issues?

Answer 48

Over 75%.

Question 49

What did Betty Ford say about Roe v. Wade?

Answer 49

'Great, great decision.'

Question 50

What significant act did Carter pass in 1978 regarding women's employment?

Answer 50

Pregnancy Discrimination Act.

Question 51

How did Carter differ from Ford in terms of women's rights?

Answer 51

More supportive, appointed two female cabinet members.

Question 52

What did Carter support regarding the Equal Rights Amendment?

Answer 52

Supported the ERA but was criticized for not speaking out more.

Question 53

What was the first law against marital rape and when was it enacted?

Answer 53

Enacted by South Dakota in 1975.

Question 54

What is the main focus of the Equal Rights Amendment?

Answer 54

Guaranteeing equal rights under the law regardless of sex.

Question 55

Who was a prominent opponent of the ERA?

Answer 55

Phyllis Schlafly.

Question 56

What did opponents of the ERA warn it would lead to?

Answer 56

* Gay marriages * Women in combat * Unisex toilets * End of the nuclear family.

Question 57

What was the outcome of the ERA in the 1970s?

Answer 57

Never obtained the assent of 75% of states required for an amendment.

Question 58

What major ruling did Roe v. Wade establish?

Answer 58

Legalized abortion in the first 13 weeks.

Question 59

What organization was established by the Catholic Church to oppose abortion?

Answer 59

National Right to Life Committee.

Question 60

What did the Hyde Amendment accomplish?

Answer 60

Banned the use of federal funds for abortion.

Question 61

What scandal led to a loss of public confidence in politicians?

Answer 61

Watergate scandal.

Question 62

What did the 'Watergate Babies' promise?

Answer 62

To clean up Washington politics.

Question 63

What was the political impact of Ford's pardon of Nixon?

Answer 63

Damaged Ford’s relations with Congress and the public.

Question 64

What was the significance of the 1976 presidential election voter turnout?

Answer 64

It was at a 30-year low.

Question 65

What issue did Billy Carter's actions create for President Carter?

Answer 65

Potential association with corruption.

Question 66

What was the public's perception of Carter's presidency in relation to scandals?

Answer 66

Began to be associated with scandals despite anti-Washington platform.

Question 67

What was the impact of the credibility gap over Vietnam on public perception?

Answer 67

Increased doubt in the presidency.

Question 68

What did Carter's apparent inability to cope under pressure contribute to?

Answer 68

Perception of a weak presidency.

Question 69

What was the public sentiment regarding the American Dream in the 60s?

Answer 69

Felt America had lost its direction.

Question 70

What was the public perception of Ford's pardon of Nixon?

Answer 70

It further cemented the view of corruption ## Footnote The pardon was seen as a significant factor in public disillusionment.

Question 71

What issues did Ford and Carter face regarding public perception?

Answer 71

Issues of corruption and Carter's inability to cope under pressure ## Footnote These issues contributed to a perception of weakness in the presidency.

Question 72

What was the impact of the civil rights advances in the 1960s?

Answer 72

They exposed the inequalities of the American Dream ## Footnote Many Americans felt the future of the American Dream was out of reach.

Question 73

How did the Vietnam War affect U.S. international standing?

Answer 73

It replaced confidence with humiliation, forcing the U.S. to negotiate with communists ## Footnote This shifted the U.S. position in global trade and diplomacy.

Question 74

What evidence suggested a decline in American morality during this period?

Answer 74

Increasing divorce rates, juvenile delinquency, and assassination attempts ## Footnote Examples include the assassination of John Lennon and multiple school shootings.

Question 75

What was the conclusion of the Trilateral Commission's report 'The Crisis of Democracy'?

Answer 75

Democratic systems benefit from apathy and non-involvement ## Footnote The report highlighted a loss of confidence in government due to its increased power.

Question 76

What economic issues were prevalent during the 1970s?

Answer 76

High unemployment, inflation, and declining industry. 70% of new jobs were in low-paying service industries.

Question 77

What was the unemployment rate in the U.S. from 1974 to 1975?

Answer 77

Rised from 6.5% in 1974 to 8.9% in 1975 ## Footnote This period marked significant job losses, especially in manufacturing.

Question 78

What were the inflation rates from 1963 to 1981?

Answer 78

Increased from 1.6% in 1963 to 11.8% in 1981 ## Footnote The highest rate of inflation was 12.3% in 1974.

Question 79

What was the response of voters to Ford and Carter's handling of stagflation?

Answer 79

They considered both presidents unsuccessful ## Footnote There was a general disagreement with prioritizing inflation over unemployment.

Question 80

What triggered the oil crisis in the 1970s?

Answer 80

The U.S. consumed a disproportionate amount of the world's oil and faced an embargo ## Footnote Nixon's support for Israel during the 1973 Arab-Israeli War led to the OPEC oil embargo.

Question 81

What were the consequences of the oil embargo on American industry?

Answer 81

A 387% increase in oil prices damaged U.S. industry ## Footnote The end of cheap energy severely impacted the standard of living.

Question 82

What were common occurrences during the oil crisis of the 1970s?

Answer 82

Long queues at petrol stations and strikes by workers ## Footnote Notable events included truckers striking and school closures due to fuel shortages.

Question 83

Did politicians effectively address the economic problems during this period?

Answer 83

No, they failed to solve the issues, contributing to political disillusion Voters were frustrated with the lack of effective solutions.