A History of the United States: Chapter 31: A Troubled Nation

Nixon followed a policy of détente—attempts at relaxing international tensions.

Nixon followed a policy of détente—attempts at relaxing international tensions.

Angered by the U.S. support of Israel, Arab oil-producing states placed an embargo—a ban on shipments—on oil sales to the United States and other “non-friendly” nations.

Nixon’s plan was called New Federalism. One part of the plan was revenue sharing—giving states some of the money collected in federal taxes.

Nixon also promoted affirmative action, an approach to hiring or promoting that favors disadvantaged groups.

To stimulate the economy, he increased federal spending. This policy helped revive the economy for a short time. However, it created a budget deficit—that is, government spending was greater than government income.

The president urged Americans to conserve energy voluntarily.

President Nixon refused to hand them over. He claimed executive privilege, the principle that a president’s conversations should remain private.

President Nixon refused to hand them over. He claimed executive privilege, the principle that a president’s conversations should remain private.

Several days later, a House committee voted to impeach Nixon, or officially charge him with misconduct.

Ford hoped the pardon would help heal the wounds of Watergate. Instead, the pardon stirred controversy. Many Americans asked why Nixon should escape punishment when others involved in the scandal had gone to jail.

Yet another controversy arose when President Ford offered amnesty, or protection from prosecution, to those who illegally avoided military service during the Vietnam War.

Carter stressed his integrity, or moral character, and his religious faith.

The high price of imported oil also led to a growing trade deficit, meaning that the value of foreign imports exceeded the value of American exports.

Carter based his foreign policy on human rights—the basic rights and liberties all people should have. He proposed that any nation that violated human rights should not receive support from the United States.

For example, Carter condemned South Africa for its policy of apartheid, the racial separation and discrimination against nonwhites.

In January 1979, Islamic fundamentalists—people who believe in strict obedience to religious laws—forced the shah to flee Iran.

He worked toward a policy of deregulation—removing rules and regulations that government places on businesses.

This borrowing increased the federal debt—the amount of money owed by the government.

President Reagan favored judges who would interpret the Constitution strictly.

President Reagan and Vice President George H. W. Bush built their reelection campaign on this patriotic theme.

The Democrats retained control of the House and the Senate.

President Bush vowed to stand up to Hussein. He persuaded other nations to join the U.S. in a coalition, or a group united for action.

In January 1991, Operation Desert Storm began with missile attacks and bombing raids on Iraq. These destroyed military and civilian sites.

Companies also began to downsize—lay off workers—to become more efficient.

Individuals and businesses had borrowed heavily and now could not meet loan payments. They had to sell what they owned to pay their debts. Some were unable to pay off their debts and went bankrupt.

Many did not want to vote for either Bush or Clinton. Instead, they supported a grassroots movement—a popular movement organized at a local level—that put Texas business leader H. Ross Perot on the ballot as a third-party candidate.

Perot called for an end to the government's deficit spending, or spending more money than it takes in.

Clinton had a bigger battle over his plan for health care reform. His goal was to control rising health care costs and provide adequate health insurance for every American.

One measure of economic growth is the gross domestic product (GDP), the value of all the goods and services produced in a nation in a year.

There was evidence that the president might have committed perjury, or lied under oath, about the relationship.

Starr widened the scope of the investigation.