6.1 The 1970s – Scandals and Hardships

The 1970s saw the United States celebrate its bicentennial in 1976, but the decade had more than its share of crises, while also experiencing some important changes. In 1970, the Supreme Court agreed that 18-year-olds should have the right to vote; thus changing the landscape of American politics forever. The economy was in deep recession during most of the decade, the United States’ military faced its first “loss” in Vietnam, and the nation dealt with its worst constitutional crisis to date.

Despite President Nixon’s agenda and his veto, the new Voting Rights Act passed Congress. School desegregation continued under the supervision of Chief Justice Earl Warren, and Affirmative Action made major inroads in the public arena. With pressure from a growing number of Americans, Congress passes the Clean Air Act also over Nixon’s veto. It also created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to oversee federal guidelines for air pollution, toxic waste, and water quality.

The major domestic development during the Nixon years was the floundering economy, exacerbated primarily by the expense of the Vietnam War. Inflation reached 12% by 1974, remaining in double digits for most of the 1970s. Some of the causes of the economic troubles stemmed from the Johnson Administration’s attempt to pay for both increased social welfare programs and the Vietnam War without raising taxes. This lead to larger federal deficits. Additionally, American productivity began to slow with a growing trade deficit. Finally, the country’s heavy dependence on cheap sources of energy led to trouble when the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) began a boycott of Israel and all nations that supported it. The boycott caused oil prices to increase by 400%.

Nixon avoided facing the economic problems by experiencing huge foreign policy successes, including an end to the Vietnam War, opening relations with communist China, and détente with the Soviet Union. When facing reelection in 1972, Nixon focused on his foreign policy victories and promised to improve the economy. Throughout the campaign, his opponent, George McGovern, accused Nixon of using dirty tricks to no avail. Nixon won reelection in a landslide.