Alex+G.+-+RN+-+FA11

Richard Nixon

Born: January 9, 1913

Died: April 22, 1994

Political Party: Republican

Terms served: January 20th, 1969- August 9th, 1974

Vice President: Spiro Agnew, Gerald Ford

The discrimination during Nixon’s presidency was horrendous. Blacks and whites in the south were completely separate. In schools, churches, and public places. Because of Nixon schools in the south became integrated and the Equal Rights Amendment was created. He also helped break down the concept of discrimination by createing the Philadelphia Plan. President Richard Nixon deserves a C for his 5 years serving as president. He attempted to encourage the idea of racial equality and world peace. He was the only president that resigned this due to the Watergate Scandal which emerged during his second term as president.

During Nixon’s’ presidency he had many goals in which he hoped to achieve. His goals included; encouraging world peace, provide higher quality housing, increase employment, protect and preserve the environment, and to stay neutral as a country and not fabricate any global enemies. He did attempt to encourage world peace by removing troops from Vietnam However this idea was shattered when he decide to bomb Cambodia. On the topic of racial equality he integrated schools bring black and whites into a learning environment together. On the topic of racial equality and promoting peace he mostly accomplished. However on the issue of better housing and increasing jobs these were not accomplished due to him reassigning as president.

President Nixon and his relationship with congress can be described as poor or none existent. During his presidency most of the people in the house and the senate were democrats which became a conflict for President Nixon and his ideas. The only thing that the two ever agreed on was the issue with equal rights and racial issues. Together they passed the Equal Rights Amendment. Over all the two did not work well together.

The most positive thing Nixon did as president was offering to China the opportunity to open trade between the two countries. As one of Nixon’s’ goals was to encourage peace he felt that this opportunity would do just that. He began troop removal out of Vietnam to bring the Cold War to an end. As many Americans in these days wanted peace this did just that and satisfied the wants of the Americans. This also end the cold war which if it didn’t happen the war could have gone on long and created even bigger losses to the Americans which already suffered enough.

The worst decision made by Nixon was the Watergate scandal. This scandal included the bugging of offices of people that Nixon did not like the break-in in the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington D.C., and the torment of activist groups. This sandal was brought about when five men were caught breaking into the complex. This scandal brought up impeachment hearings against the president and in the end Nixon resigned.

President Nixon deserves a C as his grade for his 5 years serving as president. Even though he resigned as president in the end he did leave the country better off. From the Equal Rights Amendment to his encouragement of peace. Works cited DeGregorio, William A. "Richard M. Nixon." The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents. New York: Gramercy, 2005. 581-601. Print. "Richard M. Nixon." The White House. The White House, 2011. Web. 14 Dec. 2011. . "Richard Nixon." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. The Wikipedia Foundation, 22 Dec. 2011. Web. 14 Dec. 2011. .