History Decline in Confidence

Answers will be credited according to candidates’ deployment of material in relation to the qualities outlined in the generic mark scheme. The indicative content below is not prescriptive and candidates are not required to include all the material which is indicated as relevant.

Candidates are expected to reach a judgement on the suggestion that the news media was the most significant influence on the decline in confidence in the American presidency in the years 1968-80.

The significance of the news media as an influence on the decline in confidence should be analysed and evaluated. Relevant points may include:

• The news media uncovered some of the key events that undermined confidence in American presidents and/or policies, e.g. Mai Lai, Watergate

• Respected news journalists became willing to criticise American presidents and/or policies, e.g. Walter Cronkite’s reaction to the Tet offensive

• The variety of news media coverage available increased public accessibility, e.g. radio news, television news from Vietnam, newspaper coverage of the Watergate scandal

• Technological developments: ‘bad news’ spread faster with less time for presidential ‘cover up’, e.g. daily reports from Vietnam, the Iran hostages

• Public desire for news meant increased interest in the private lives of the presidents and associates, e.g. the business dealings of Carter’s brother.

Other factors with significant influence on the decline in confidence in the American presidency should be analysed and evaluated. Relevant points may include:

• The leadership styles of the presidents encouraged a lack of confidence, e.g. the revelation of Nixon’s behaviour on the Watergate tapes, growing disillusion with Carter’s ‘folksy outsider’ style

• The news media was merely responding to actions and policies that undermined the presidency,