This podcast is for the course HIST 2013: History of the American People since 1877. All opinions are my own and do not reflect the views of the University of Arkansas or Northwest Arkansas Community College.
In this lecture, Dr. Totten argues the presidencies of Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter did little to inspire American's faith in government. While Ford was a likeable and humble man, his administration achieved few goals and did little to abate the economic crises. His actions made enemies on the right and the left, and further exacerbated divisions within the GOP. Ronald Reagan led a conservative primary challenge in 1976 to Ford and narrowly lost. While Ford won the nomination, Ronald Reagan had positioned himself as the future of the Republican party. Ford ultimately lost to the former Naval Lieutenant and Governor of Georgia Jimmy Carter.
Carter's administration was equally ineffective. Carter had campaigned as a Washington outsider and fiscal conservative. Carter's independent streak made it difficult for him to work with Washington power brokers, and he rejected the agenda of the progressive wing of his party, led by Senator Ted Kennedy. The ongoing economic and energy crisis brought out the moralist in Carter, who acknowledged the suffering but pointed to a deeper "crisis of confidence" in American culture. In the end, his speech fell flat, and his Democratic majority accomplished little, except for further deregulation.
Carter's foreign policy was also viewed as insufficient by many Americans. Though he furthered détente with China and Russia, his handling of the Iranian Hostage Crisis and the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan further hurt Carter's reputation. As a result, Americans to this day equate Carter and Democrats as weak on foreign policy and war.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-the-american-people-since-1877/donations (https://redcircle.com/history-of-the-american-people-since-1877/donations)
17 Nov 2020
Nixon's America Part 2
In this lecture, Dr. Totten argues the Watergate break-in went from a third-rate robbery to a massive intra-governmental cover-up that ultimately took down Richard M. Nixon. Nixon's abuse of power and obstruction of justice caused a constitutional crisis that threatened the rule of law itself. Due to the heroic efforts of reporters, the thorough investigation by the FBI, the placing of principles over party by congressional Republicans, and the impartial conduct of the Supreme Court, justice was finally obtained. Nixon resigned from the presidency, the first president to do so, and was succeeded by Gerald Ford. Nixon's former Vice President, Spiro Agnew, had also resigned due to corruption charges stemming from a decade long bribery scheme that went from Baltimore County all the way into the White House. Nixon's legacy illustrates that Democracy is fragile and requires constant vigilance against the abuse of power and corruption. As a result of Watergate and Vietnam, Americans became extremely disenchanted with the government and politicians, and this distrust remains to this day.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-the-american-people-since-1877/donations (https://redcircle.com/history-of-the-american-people-since-1877/donations)
15 Nov 2020
Nixon's America Part 1
In this lecture, Dr. Totten argues Richard Nixon was a transitional figure between New Deal Republicans and modern conservatism. Nixon opposed the Great Society, but upheld and attempted to expand New Deal style policies. Nixon's rhetoric began the "emerging conservative majority," through various political strategies that picked up the pieces of the New Deal coalition.
Nixon also supported environmentalism, which attempted to alleviate the substantial damage caused deforestation, over chemical usage, pollution, and toxic dumping. As a result, the Earth Day movement emerged and the Environmental Protection Agency was created in order to address these issues.
Critically, Nixon's anti-communist credentials allowed him to thaw relations between the People's Republic of China and the Soviet Union. This significantly reduced the tensions of the Cold War and proved peaceful coexistence was possible. However, it gave an added issue for ultra conservative Republicans to rally around, which later contributed to the Reagan Revolution.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-the-american-people-since-1877/donations (https://redcircle.com/history-of-the-american-people-since-1877/donations)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.4 / 5
9 ratings
Contact History of the American People since 1877
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of History of the American People since 1877?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
