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Richard Nixon (January 9th, 1913- April 22nd, 1994) Political Party: Republican January 20th, 1969- August 9th, 1974 (two terms) Vice President: Spiro Agnew, Gerald Ford

On July 20th, 1969, Apollo 11 made its landmark arrival onto the moon, making Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin the first men on the moon. Funded by the United States, it was part of the race into space competition largely between the US and the Soviet Union. This greatly impacted America and our way of life because it proved that prideful Americans at the time were innovative and the Western world was once again proving itself to be the global dominator. However, it also proved the USSR's communist government was not as superior putting more hope into the democratic way of life. Additionally, it proved to the Soviets that if we could place an aircraft on such faraway ground, we could easily place a nuclear warhead anywhere on the earth. Therefore, it partially led to other countries fearing our technological abilities and the realization that no one could win a war involving nuclear warfare. This impacted the presidency because Nixon now had the power to continue the space program knowing that were the global leaders and it must stay that way to prevent the USSR from becoming more powerful. Additionally, it was during a tense time of nuclear development and Nixon had to choose what to focus on and what America wanted to accomplish. It shaped our American Identity because it helped establish and engrain our place as a world leader in not only the space race, but technology. Additionally, we were the first country to land on the moon which is still widely known today. We continue our space program until this day and this is largely why.

Also within Nixon's presidency was the ratification of the 26th amendment. This amendment limited the minimum voting age to no more than 18. This impacted the presidency because now not only did the president have to appeal to the older generation, he must take into account the younger generations viewpoints and opinions to be successful. Additionally, when campaigning they had to appeal to the younger generation in order to be voted in. If he didn't fare well connecting to all ages including the younger era, he would not get voted in. It impacted the American identity because it is a vital right and a passage into adulthood. When you legally turn into an adult at age 18, you must be able to have a say in the country you live in, or else it is not a democracy. It also showed a shift in past cultural norms. Instead of completely elders occupying the government while the youth was often silenced, the youth was now acknowledged and included within the government.

It Nixon had to be rated based on his five year-long presidency, he would be rated a C-. His actual actions within his first term were commendable. He greatly worked on domestic affairs and attempted to promote peace globally and hoped toward racial equality domestically. However, he focused more on international issues while tending to ignore domestic issues. But, as his second term came around, the Watergate Scandal broke the news forcing him to be the only president to resign after impeachment hearings.

The goals of President Nixon’s first term beginning in 1969 according to his inauguration address were for America to play the role of peacemaker, to increase employment, provide better housing, continue the upward trend in the quality of education, improve the rural areas, protect the environment, enhance the quality of life, break down racial barriers, depart from the former isolationist policy, and attempt to make no global enemies. He did attempt to make peace with beginning to withdraw troops from Vietnam, making a landmark visit with the then Chinese leader, offering to begin peace talks with North Korea, and made an agreement with the USSR to increase trade and sign two imperative arms control treaties. Overall, his efforts and successes in promoting world peace lived up to his previous promises. Yet, by choosing to bomb Cambodia, it partially escalated the Vietnam War. Additionally, by taking an active part in global affairs, he also departed from the former isolationist policy like he committed to. Also, to help break down racial barriers, he integrated schools in the south, created the Philadelphia Plan, and endorsed the Equal Rights Amendment. Thus, he greatly succeeded in his goal of racial equality despite focusing on global issues more. Overall, he completed most all of his inauguration promises only lacking a little in the domestic policy section. Nixon’s second term goals as mentioned in his inaugural address in 1973 include not going back into isolationism after the war; promote global peace; respect treaty commitments; support no country that is forcing another into submission; limit nuclear arms; and ensure better education, health, housing, transportation, cleaner environment, and equal opportunity. He however did not accomplish many of these due to the Watergate Scandal breaking very early into his second term. He only served a year before he was forced to resign and due to the scandalous nature of Watergate, he accomplished very little for he was under heavy criticism.

Nixon, due to his very abrasive personality, had a relatively poor relationship with congress. This was also caused by the democratic majorities in the House and Senate going against his Republican values. The House, in their 91st session had 243 Democrats to 192 Republicans, 255 and 180 respectively in their 92nd session, and 242 Democrats and 192 Republicans in the 93rd session. Meanwhile, the Senate had 57 Democrats and 43 Republicans in the 91st session, 54 Democrats and 42 Republicans in the 92nd session, and 56 Democrats and 42 Republicans in the 93rd session. In all three sessions in both the House and Senate, the Democrats had the majority which was difficult with Nixon to deal with. However, congress did agree with him on racial issues through the passing of the Equal Rights Amendment after Nixon endorsed it and the Philadelphia Plan. But, as stated earlier, because of his personality, he found it hard to cooperate with congress.

A positive decision of the Nixon administration was to attempt to develop positive relationships with the growing superpower China. Nixon agreed to make a landmark visit there in 1972 and meet Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai. This ushered in a new era of Chinese relations which had previously only been sour. By making an attempt to recognize China, it helped relations in the future. This is especially vital in today’s modern world where we heavily rely on China for loans, industry, and the housing of a great percent of the world’s population. They are rising as to be the most powerful nation and when they hit that spot, it is vital to be their ally. By meeting them in the past, Nixon helped stabilize interactions in the future despite disagreements between the two. The most negative decision of Nixon was easily the Watergate Scandal. This scandal was the break-in of the Democratic National Committee headquarters in DC, the bugging of the offices of political opponents or officials in which Nixon disliked, and the harassment of activist groups and political figures. This was all attempted to be covered up by the Nixon administration only to be revealed when five men were caught breaking into the complex. This not only tarnished the prestige of the presidential office, it earned the distrust of the people. Nixon later was forced to resign which was only necessary after performing such unlawful and secretive actions. Instead of being a rallying point for the American population, he became a fallen hero and lost all credibility.

A decision made by the president and administration that impacted the future was his approval of a five-year cooperative program between NASA and the Soviet Space Program. This impacted future generations because it continued space exploration within the US. It not only encouraged future testing of the galaxy’s limits, but helped expand NASA into what it is today. Additionally, because it was a joint operation with the USSR, it promoted good relations with the Soviet Union amidst the aftershock of the Cold War and hovering nuclear war threats. It was greatly needed because we had never had good relations with the Soviet Union and this helped them limp along at the least.

Overall, Nixon deserves a C- only scoring that high due to his international workings. He left the country better off at the end of his terms than in the beginning only for his attempts to break down racial barriers and create a sense of global peace. But, he got involved in a scandal that not only harmed his political career, but the spirit of Americans. They began to lose hope in democracy as they watched from their living rooms his impeachment hearings. Nixon would have been a landmark president, but he was lead into a path of deception, cheating, and blackmailing just to better his career. Works Cited "Art & History Home Origins & Development Party Division." //U.S. Senate//. Web. 19 Dec. 2011. .

"Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives Art & History - Party Divisions." //Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives Art & History - Art & History Home//. Web. 19 Dec. 2011. <http://artandhistory.house.gov/house_history/partyDiv.aspx>.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Richard Nixon: "Oath of Office and Second Inaugural Address.," January 20, 1973. Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, //The American Presidency Project//. http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=4141.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">"Twenty-sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. 29 Nov. 2011. Web. 19 Dec. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twenty-sixth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution>.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">"What Impact Has Apollo 11 Had on America?" //Yahoo! Answers//. Web. 19 Dec. 2011. <http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091004095225AAHnQtW>.