Vietnam, Nixon, and the End of Consensus 1965–1975

The period from 1965 to 1975 saw the collapse of the post-war liberal consensus that had dominated American politics since the New Deal. The Vietnam War destroyed public trust in government, the counterculture challenged traditional values, and the Watergate scandal brought down a president. By 1975, Americans' faith in their institutions had been profoundly shaken — a transformation whose consequences continue to shape American politics.

Key Definition: The liberal consensus refers to the broad agreement (c.1945–1968) among both major parties that the federal government should maintain a welfare state, pursue Cold War containment abroad, and promote managed economic growth. This consensus was shattered by Vietnam, social upheaval, and the rise of the New Right.

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America's Involvement in Vietnam

American involvement in Vietnam was a gradual escalation spanning four presidencies: