...21st Century (HIST101) Colorado Technical University For this project I am going to discuss two different articles about President Richard Nixon and the Watergate scandal. The first article is “The Washington Post Editorial Watergate: The unfinished business.” The other article that I will be discussing and comparing is one written by Dean Burch. “In Defense of Richard Nixon.” I will provide a brief summary of the two arguments as well as describe how the Watergate events changed American views in politics and politicians. I will also speculate how the events could have been different if the media and population during the Watergate scandal had today’s technology, an example being smart phones, and social media. Editorial: Watergate: The Unfinished Business In this Washington Post Editorial its opening sentence describes Nixon’s speech and actions as “far-reaching as they where in impact and effect” (1973, May 1). The editorial goes on to talk about how the President wants to turn the Watergate scandal over to the courts and let them sort it out. The writer then states that the President removed and added members of his cabinet, some of which were directly related to the Watergate scandal, and for the most part it was not a decision that the public supported. The article then goes on and makes the remark “But the remaking of the Nixon presidency will also depend on his willingness and capacity to bring not just new men, or even new approaches, but a whole new environment...
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...their group’s discussion item. Answer sheets should also identify student’s class and section. Discussion items to be turned in should restate the discussion item and identify the chapter under review. All answer sheets should be typed double-spaced with standard 1” margins on all perimeters. All segment discussion items MUST be received before the end of class on each segment review date. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE. 1. (A) Why was Richard Nixon NOT considered to be a ‘true’ conservative? (B) What constitutes a “Block Grant” as proposed by President Nixon? (C) What were the essential elements in Nixon’s proposed Family Assistance Plan and what were the legislative results? (D) What was Nixon’s Philadelphia plan? (a) Against the wishes and recommendation of the myopic conservative leadership in the late sixties Nixon expanded the welfare state and moved to improve relations with the Soviet Union but most of all he also opened up a dialogue with China. Instead of shrinking the federal bureaucracy as they hoped he would do Nixon infuriated his conservative base by creating a host of new federal agencies such as the Environmental protection Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board. He further alienated conservatives with his support for the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Air Act. (b) A block grant is a large sum of money granted by the national government to a regional government with only general...
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... And it made the 1940's a standoff everywhere. But the depression was over and the cold war did help to shape our culture in the 1950's with all home life being changed completely. President Eisenhower said that America is today the most stongest, and the most influential, and most productive nation in the world.(Eisenhower,1961) The President had policy of brinksmanship. We need to understand That the leadership of this country on our unmatched material progress and our military strength. And we have to use our power to help those who cannot help there selves. Truman was a president that wanted keep communism confined to a specific area. The difference between Eisenhower, Truman where different but they all want to keep communism out of the United States. Eisenhower believed on a policy of brinksmanship and Nixon believed one of détente Truman on the other hand wanted to contain communism, to contain the spread of communist influence in areas of strategic importance, strengthen European nations and contain communist influence in Asian countries. The Truman Doctrine fundamentally shaped the United States' approach to the Cold War because it provided a justification for America to exert its influence throughout the world, promoting the growth of democracy, and resisting the spread of communism. (Bowles,2011)Eisenhower couldn’t have said it any better when he stated that America is today the strongest, the most influential, and most productive nation in the world. Understandably...
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...America Then and Now: A Historical Analysis of America Since 1945 Dena Ferguson Pioneer Pacific College: History 410 February 16, 2015 America Then and Now: A Historical Analysis of America Since 1945 During his second inaugural speech Franklin D. Roosevelt stated, “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much it is whether we provide enough for those who have little.” (Roosevelt, 1937). This statement would become the mantra of a new era in American history, as a young and powerful country began a long and arduous journey of progress. Progress that has had high cost, followed by great changes, and the inevitable growth of a new American society determined to improve their destiny. However, the great debate is “has America truly changed for the better?” A closer look at the positive changes developed through social movements, societal policy expansion, and technological advancements paints a picture of an improved American society. Social Movements After World War II ended in 1945, America experienced a brief moment of contented peacefulness and growth. However, this quickly changed as the country moved toward a decade of cold war in an effort to prevent the spread of Russian communism, which denied those under its rule the right to basic human freedoms. This cold war was founded on the principle of protecting global human rights, which would sparked an era of social unrest among American minority groups who desired to have...
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...In “Class in America” Mantsios argues against what he claims are the myth of a classless society in America. He provides evidence regarding the rising socioeconomic gap between the rich and the poor in America and the huge differences in amounts of the top 1% of Americans and the rest of Americans. However, Mantsios arguement is flawed. First of all, his argument assumes that having a society that is not concerned with class is a problem. I don’t. I think that the lack of preoccupation with what class people are in in America only promotes the American creed and is what unites this country. America is a country of immigrants, people who were dissatisfied with the class society back in their old countries so they decided to come to America where they can live and work without worry of social standing. Mantsios claims that class standing is the most important factor in determining your future. However, as we saw in “The Three Lessons of Joe Flom”, anyone can be anyone so long as they try hard and have the right values, the right attitude and look for opportunity. Mantsios’s choice of profile were also biased as well. As a Queens native, I can attest that Bob Farrell’s classmates were not only the son’s of carpenters, teachers, and postal clerks, but of doctors, successful small buisness owners, and lawyers as well, as I attended school in Queens and I have friends who attended school in Queens and the diversity of family backgrounds and socioeconomic standing was great. Albeit all...
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...caused people to have a wrong opinion about the war, soldiers, and what their country was fighting for. For example, Richard M. Nixon said “No event in American history is more misunderstood than the Vietnam War. It was misreported then, and it is misremembered now”. Even though, the media was broadcasting some parts of the war instead of the whole picture, it was better than it used to be. During fifties, people were able to get visual information about the war only in theaters; therefore, it was mostly based on propaganda and not truth. In early sixties, 90 percent of the United States population had TV in their house and they were able to get information about the war. This caused people to create some effective anti- war movements that helped to bring this horrifying war to an end. Television coverage of the war was not balanced and objective. It was not showing the big picture of the war and the truth about it. Television was broadcasting only some sensational news about the war and that influenced American citizens in a bad way. Media almost never mentioned what communism was; therefore, people did not know what their country was fighting for and why so many innocent people were dying. Moreover, American people did not know what should they be aware of and how communism could affect their life as well. For example, Jerry Stiller said that he did not know what Vietnam War was until he saw a movie about it. This is the reason why people thought that Vietnam...
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...Nixon signed the National Environmental Policy Act in 1970 and created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by executive order. The EPA is the governmental agency responsible for protecting the environment through federal research, monitoring, and standard setting and enforcement activities. Under the EPA, a new series of environmental laws surpassed the Johnson initiatives in requiring business to reduce pollution (Rome, 2003). The environmental movement has made America today a more ecologically friendly place than thirty years ago (Goldstein, 2002). Legislation, research and new technologies have worked in unison to reduce pollution, increase recyclability and protect endangered animals, among many other achievements. According to a March 2003 GALLUP POLL, 89% of Americans recycle and 72% buy environmental friendly products (Kharif,...
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...Christopher Marr Unit 2 Individual Project HIST105-1202A-17: U.S. History American InterContinental University Online April 1st, 2012 Vietnam Conflict 1. Analyze two to three (2–3) major consequences the conflict had on United States’ society. The Vietnam War started during the end of World War II, Japan invaded and occupied Vietnam that had been under the administration of the French since the turn of the 20th century. The League for the Independence of Vietnam was formed by Ho Chi Minh to fight back the oppression of both the Japanese and French colonial administration. Japan eventually withdrew it's forces in 1945 leaving Emperor Bao Dai in control of an independent Vietnam. Ho's forces quickly rose up and seized Hanoi declaring a Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) and Ho became the president. Backing Bao, the French set up the state of Vietnam (South Vietnam) with Saigon being the capital in 1949. Bao was pushed aside by Ngo Dinh Deim to become the president of the Government of the Republic of Vietnam (GVN) in 1955, after the call for the country to be whole again in 1956. In 1955, President Dwight D. Eisenhower supported Deim and the South Vietnam, giving training and equipment from the U.S. military and police forces gave South Vietnam the ability to crack down on the North supporters in the south, who were ultimately called Viet Cong or Vietnamese Communists. 1959 marked the start of engagement of the North fighting back against the South...
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...recreationally, and as a result are highly profitable commodities. It is common knowledge that across the world, the vast majority of drugs are illegal or are restricted in some way. Almost nightly, proponents for the legalization of drugs, decriminalization of certain drugs, and the continued ban on drugs debate their positions through the media. This debate is a hot button issue that is almost entirely centered upon the views and policies of the world’s largest drug consumer, the United States of America (CIA Factbook). Governments and the media very often focus on drug consumption trends and drug flow into the United States, while largely ignoring Latin American perspectives and impacts on Latin America. Though drug production and drug use are major concerns, the negative impact of Mitra 2 drug policy on Mexico and Colombia must be brought forth and into consideration when making drug policies in the United States. On June 17th, 1971, United States President Richard M. Nixon addressed Congress, talking about “Drug Abuse Prevention and Control” thus initiating the ‘War on Drugs’ (American...
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...The Mexican Drug War: Is It Their War or Ours? A common news headline in any newspaper or on any news channel these days mentions the “Mexican drug war”. It has become common along the U. S./Mexico border to hear people talking about it at schools, work places and in their own neighborhoods - coworkers, classmates and neighbors whom are involved in some way or know someone that is. Violence is seen and heard of on the U.S. side of the border quite frequently, which raises the questions, is it their war or ours? This war may have started on Mexican soil; however, it is, most definitely, the United States’ war as well. How did this all begin? What does the U.S. have to do with it? “For years, Mexico’s domestic supply of psychoactive...
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...Ronald Reagan an Overrated President Tami Arreguin HIS/145 July 15, 2013 Nancy Fraleigh Ronald Reagan an Overrated President Ronald Reagan, the nation's 40th president, only recently became one of the most revered men in history. Reagan's ratings were higher than the averages of his three immediate predecessors Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, and Richard Nixon (Newport, Jones, & Saad, 2004) . How and why would so many Americans too soon forget all of the dishonesty and broken promises that came out of the White House while Reagan was in office? It is clear that many factors came into play that goes to show that Ronald Reagan is highly overrated as not only the president, but also an individual. One of the first situations that occurred, as Reagan was sworn in, was the release of the 51 hostages from the American Embassy in Tehran. It seemed that the projected win of the future President Reagan triggered some fear in the Iranians. However, there were a few incidences that occurred, prior to the inauguration of Reagan, that actually set the stage for the emanate release of the hostages. (United States History, n.d.) In July, near the last leg of the presidential race, The Shah of Iran died. The return of the Shah, being one of the many requests in negotiations with the Iranian’s, was now neutralized. This brought the negotiations one step closer to closure (United States History, n.d.). Also, shortly after the death of the Shah, Iraq invaded Iran which created...
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...1) When was the environmental protection agency (EPA) formed? - 1970 What events prompted its formation? - The U.S. was rocked by a series of waste land toxic materials, the earth's automatic, self-cleansing, life support systems became increasingly threatened and consequently people from all walks of life and from every part of the political spectrum were expressing their anxieties on the streets and this happened to b the largest public American demonstration ever seen in America. Hence prompting President Richard Nixon transmitted Reorganization Plan No. 3 to the United States Congress by executive order, creating the EPA as a single, independent agency from a number of smaller arms of different federal agencies. 2) How did deregulation of industry during the Reagan years affect water quality and the overall power of the environmental protection agency? - By appointing people who were flat out opposed to the mission of the agency (EPA), in an attempt to reorient the policy to favor American Businesses, President Reagan, jeopardized all efforts done by the Epa to protect the environment especially as its size and influence was curbed hence leading to poor water quality and a non effective environmental protection agency. a) What does ‘voluntary compliance’ mean? It was a voluntary program which was aimed at effectively dealing with a multi state pollution problem and yet failed repeatedly leaving unfulfilled the clean water act’s promise to radically reduce...
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...or for an alternative. Introduction The use of prohibited drugs has been predominant in Western society since the 19th century, with cannabis introduced to the United States in 1839, while opium was introduced to Europe and the United States through trade with China. These drugs were initially used for pharmaceutical benefits, but over time various legislatures introduced laws to administer, regulate and prohibit the use of various drugs. The declaration of ‘war on drugs’ took place in the United States of America (USA) in 1971. The historical response to the ‘war on drugs’ has been prohibition: the complete banning of drug use. This approach, which involves strict enforcement of illegal drug laws, has proven costly and ineffective (RCAP & RANZCP, 2004). This essay will focus on Australia’s current drug debate regarding the legalisation of certain prohibited illicit drugs. Whilst examining the Australian position, this essay will use international examples to illustrate how the current strategy fails and survey workable solutions. Firstly, this work examines the historical position of the ‘war on drugs’. It will outline the history of drug use in Australia and the nation’s current drug policy. This essay will then discuss the criminal, social, health and policy issues surrounding the debate regarding the legalization versus prohibition. Having addressed these points this essay concludes the prohibition of certain illicit drugs has failed comprehensively and legalising, controlling...
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...the combination of visual, literary and auditory is intricate in one art form. Men, women, and children can use this medium as a form of escapism from reality, where its imagination has no boundaries. However, film is not only created as an entertainment tool, it can often also mirror society and its changing values. A film can be a communicator of ideas whether it is reflecting political perspectives or challenging cultural issues. This is the case in 1976, when Martin Scorsese and screenwriter Paul Schrader had created the modern film classic Taxi Driver. During this time America had undergone a lot of fluctuations in its economic and social movements. This film takes place in New York City through the perspective of the protagonist Travis Bickle, who is played by Robert De Niro. Through Bickle's eyes the city appears to be corrupted and struggling. Furthermore this iconic thriller takes place when America is facing new wounds from the post-world war two eras. From the main character’s perspective, the film examines the theme of loneliness that influences the protagonist’s character development in an urban society. On the surface, the film is based on the life of Travis Bickle who was once a Vietnam vet that finds the means to survive in the big apple through a blue-collar job as a Taxi Driver. The film illustrates the alienation that occurs to individuals after a social change to political events. In this film the story’s backdrop is placed in the 1970s of New York City...
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...Politics in America by Thomas Dye, affirmative action is any government or private program designed to help offset the effects of “past unequal treatment of minorities and/or women by giving members of these groups preferential treatment in admissions, hiring, promotions, or other aspects of life” (Dye, 2009, p. 551). Over time, affirmative action has resulted in an array of policies or programs specifically designed with the intention to enhance employment and business opportunities, or educational programs for groups, such as ethnic or racial minorities, as well as women, who all, as a group, have suffered discrimination. However, the approach in which these policies or programs are employed, the forms of action they entail, and the far-reaching repercussions they convey for our society may deviate from one specific program to another. Since its founding, the belief in human equality has guided the American republic. Of the truths held to be self-evident in the Declaration of Independence, the very first and foremost is that “all men are created equal.” This certainty is deep-seated as we recognize intuitively the equality of individuals validates universal involvement in government. The recognized equality of its citizens is the base, the philosophical foundation of our democracy in America. Wait a minute. What did I just say? “The recognized equality of its citizens is the base, the philosophical foundation of our democracy in America.” If this is true, then how can something...
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