State of the Union Addresses

A series of presidential addresses to Congress delivered in the early 1970s outlines a dual agenda of foreign-policy realignment and domestic reform. On international affairs the speaker emphasizes ending the Vietnam conflict through negotiated settlement, reducing direct U.S. involvement by encouraging regional partners, and seeking arms-control and engagement with rival powers. On the home front the addresses call for welfare overhaul with work incentives, a New Federalism shifting responsibilities to states, economic management to translate growth into broader opportunity, and reorganization of the executive branch, while proposing programs in civil rights, health, education, housing, and transportation.