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A Comparative Analysis of US Presidencies: Nixon to H.W. Bush

Posted on Aug 18, 2024 in History

RICHARD NIXON

Economic	Revenue Sharing Family Assistance Plan Took steps to combat stagflation
Social	Dealt with the Civil Rights Movement Conservatism vs the Hippy Movement
Foreign Policy	Established foreign relations with China Ended/got out of the Vietnam War. Traveled to Moscow – first visit to Moscow by a US president His Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, promoted a philosophy known as realpolitik.
Political	New Federalism His “New Conservatism” He began a “law and order” policy which led him to illegal actions and resulted in his downfall, the Watergate Scandal.

GERALD FORD

Economic	Inflation and unemployment continued to rise. Massive OPEC oil-prices continued to increase, pushing inflation from 6% to over 10% Responded with Whip Inflation Now, which called on Americans to cut back on their oil and gas use He tried to curb inflation through a “tight money” policy and cut government spending; this worsened the recession.
Social	Seemed to be a likable, honest man, noted his own limitations. On September 8^th, 1974, Ford pardoned Richard Nixon in an attempt to move the country beyond Watergate; public support plummeted.
Foreign Policy	Ford continued on with Nixon’s foreign policy Pushed ahead with Nixon’s policy of negotiation with Russia and China. Encountered trouble in Southeast Asia; this time, Congress didn’t agree to allocate funds for the war, and South Vietnam fell.
Political	Ford pardoned Richard Nixon in an unpopular move. Ford continued on with Nixon’s/Kissinger’s policy of realpolitik. During his two years as president, Ford vetoed more than 50 pieces of legislation.

JIMMY CARTER

Economic	Economic Crisis Worsened Inflation climbed 14% Reduction of automation and rise of foreign competition.
Social	Inability to solve economic issues brought down his popularity Standard of living had gone from 1^st place to 5^th place
Foreign Policy	Promoting Human Rights Collapse of détente Yielding of the Panama Canal Iran Hostage Crisis Camp David Accords
Political	National Energy Act Gave a lot of attention to civil rights

RONALD REAGAN

Economic	His plan of “Reaganomics” Budget cuts – he cut government spending on social programs such as welfare, food stamps Supply-side economics, which involved tax cuts for the people so they could save more money, banks would loan that money to businesses to improve productivity, and the supply of goods would increase Increased Defense Spending Went into recession, but immediately recovered National Debt went up
Social	Deregulated the economy, encouraging more competition between businesses and lower prices for consumers Cut the budget of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Conservative victory forging a large coalition with conservative voters which included: businesspeople, southerners, westerners, Reagan Democrats
Foreign Policy	He started the Strategic Defense Initiative, also known as the “Star Wars Project” Hostages from Iran Hostage Crisis sent back to U.S
Political	Introduced his politics of “Reaganomics” Judicial Power in the United States shifts to conservative Gained conservative victories in 1984 and 1988

GEORGE H.W. BUSH

Economic	Followed many of the same policies as Reagan “Read my lips: No new taxes” basically ensured he would build on what Reagan did At the end of government, he led the nation to another recession, and the weak economy gave way to a Democratic government once more
Social	Health issues such as AIDS, and Abortion Drug Abuse Education Urban Crisis Equal Rights Struggle, Civil Rights Movements Continued Gay Rights Movements
Foreign Policy	The Cold War Ends Collapse of Soviet Union The continuation of communism in China United States during the Bush administration opposed left-leaning, socialist governments in Latin America, intervened in Nicaragua, Panama, and Grenada. Persian Gulf War
Political	His campaign was ultra-aggressive and aimed attack ads at his opponents. Along with Reagan, shifted judicial power to the “right”