Vocabulary

• 1965 Civil Rights Bill
• political outsider
• Silent Majority
• Teheran
• Vietnam War
• Hostage Crisis
• inflation
• abdication

Discussion Questions

1. How did Lyndon Johnson become president? What section of the country was he from? What was his role in getting the Civil Rights Act passed?
2. Why was Johnson so effective on Capitol Hill? Why was he criticized?
3. What was the role of the Vietnam War in determining national politics ? What was Nixon's "Secret Plan" to end the war?
4. Why was Humphrey so surprised by demonstrators against him? Do you think these protesters were acting fairly? Why or why not? Who do you think would have won the Democratic nomination if Robert Kennedy had not been assassinated? Do you think Robert Kennedy could have beaten Nixon?
5. Describe the Watergate scandal. How did a simple burglary end in the resignation of a U.S. President? If Nixon had immediately taken responsibility for the burglary, do you think the whole scandal would have blown over?
6. How did the American public respond to Gerald Ford initially ? How did they feel about him after he pardoned Nixon? What do you think the media's role was in changing our perception of Gerald Ford?
7. What effect did inflation have upon Jimmy Carter's administration? What does it mean to say that he was a political outsider? Why was this useful to Carter? Why did it limit him?
8. What was the Iranian Hostage Crisis? How did it effect American politics? Do you think it is fair to blame Carter for the Hostage Crisis? Why or why not?
9. Ronald Reagan has been described as a master of modern media campaigning. Explain.
10. How did the nature of the national convention of each political party changed over the last thirty years? What role has television played in creating these changes?

Research Projects

1. Nixon: Pros and Cons. On a large piece of paper, create two columns. On one side, list the dates and positive accomplishments of Richard Nixon. On the other side, list the dates and negative impact of Richard Nixon.
2. The Vietnam War era was an extremely divisive time in our history. Research the extent of our involvement in Vietnam and chart it on a timeline. Place the presidential elections on the timeline as well. When you present your finding to the class, explain why people felt so strongly in favor and against our involvement.
3. Do you think television has improved the American political process? Do you think televised debates are important? What about the question of "style" over "substance?" Write an essay supporting your stance. Or give an oral presentation to the class about the role of television in politics today.
4. Today there is a lot of discussion about "negative campaigning." What is negative campaigning? Is it a modern phenomenon? What is the value of negative campaigning? Trace the role of negative campaigning in three different presidential campaigns in U.S. history and outline its effects.