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January 9, 1913 - April 22, 1994 Republican party Served from January 20, 1969 to August 9, 1974 (2 terms) Vice Presidents: Spiro Agnew (1st term); Gerald Ford (2nd term)
 * __ Richard Nixon __**

Richard Nixon’s presidency is a very well known era to many Americans. Some recognize his administration for its accomplishments, such as his economic reforms, environmental reforms, and foreign policies with China. However, most know his presidency for the negative decisions made by Nixon. Therefore, Richard Nixon’s presidency deserves a C- for his efforts.

During the Election of 1968, Nixon never set any ground-breaking goals for his hopeful presidency for fear of losing popularity. His one major promise was to get to peaceful grounds in Vietnam while also reforming the nation’s law and order system, putting harsher restrictions on the nation’s narcotics, ending conscription by forming a volunteer army, and lessening taxes and inflation. He also promised to stop making promises to the nation and actually begin making a difference by his actions. In his second term, Nixon didn’t do much promising or campaigning. He appeared at limited speaking engagements and on some television appearances. In his inaugural address, Nixon reaffirmed the people’s faith in his decision making in terms of the war and he ensured that everyone knew that America was in the war not for their own good, but for the good of democracy and the world. Nixon’s relationship with Congress was positive during his first term, but later soured in his second term due to the many scandals surrounding his presidency. In his first term, Nixon won the Electoral Vote with 301 to his opponents’ combined 237. Throughout his presidency, Nixon and both houses of Congress worked together to pass many pieces of legislature. Many economic reforms endorsed by Democrats were passed by a Republican president. In Nixon’s second term election, the votes sided more in his favor: he received 520 electoral votes to his opponents’ combined 18. He was able to win much congressional support until scandal and corruption began to surround his presidency. After these events, many lost faith in his leadership and honesty, which ultimately led to his resignation.

Many positive changes to the nation occurred during Nixon’s presidency. Laws were passed to control the world’s nuclear weapons, to enhance America’s economy, and to better the nation’s foreign policy. The Seabed Treaty of 1970, the Chemical Weapons Treaty of 1971, and the SALT Agreement of 1972 were all passed to ban nuclear weapon usage, construction, and storage. Nixon also helped the economy with his wage-price controls, revenue sharing, and the Consumer Product Safety Act of 1972. He even helped the environment with his implementation of environmental protection. But overall, Nixon’s most positive aspect of his presidency was his new China policy. In the past, America and China had a very hostile attitude because of their difference of governments. America, being democratic, and China, being communist, butt heads often on the foreign stage and therefore, foreign policy between the two was always strained. However, Nixon made it his goal to form a good relationship between these two nations. In what he called “a journey for peace,” Nixon traveled to China where he met and talked with China’s communist leaders. During this meeting, China and America both agreed to increase scientific, cultural, and trade collaborations. This visit was the first time a U.S. president traveled to China and Nixon created a bond with China that was inexistent in the past.

Even though Nixon’s groundbreaking Chinese policy helped America immensely, two major negative decisions made while in office hurt his reputation as president: Vietnam War actions and the Watergate scandal. In the Vietnam War, Nixon originally promised to reduce U.S. involvement while simultaneously increasing fighting past Vietnam and into Cambodia and Laos. In the war, Nixon tried endlessly to reduce the number of American troops in Asia however he planned many raids to try to end the war, which were unsuccessful. Nixon also tried to train Vietnamese soldiers to fight the war on their own without much help from America, but the U.S. didn’t give enough to fully help the Vietnamese defeat the communist forces. At the war’s end, the communists overall won and America was hurt by 58,000 soldiers dead, 304,000 wounded, and a loss of $110 billion. If the Vietnam War hurt Nixon’s credibility in the eyes of the Vietnamese, then the Watergate scandal hurt Nixon’s credibility in the eyes of Americans. After the president had been accused of many dishonest and sneaky deeds, Americans lost hope in his dealings and could no longer trust his administration. While Watergate was being exposed, many other scandals surfaced consisting of Nixon’s plots to corrupt many government officials and even American reporters and the media. This loss of faith in the president gave him no other option but to resign. Therefore, he didn’t fulfill his promise to rightfully lead the nation throughout his term.

The most long-lasting decision made by Nixon was his effort to create a diplomatic relationship with China. If it wasn’t for Nixon traveling to China and forming an initial bond with this powerful nation, many future relations may have been different between the nations. With the U.S. and China on the same side diplomatically, America and China are able to help each other to become even more powerful nations. Nixon also helped America’s reputation on the global stage. This made America look more open to the world and put a friendly light on America’s reputation.

In conclusion, America needed Nixon’s reforms and his new China policy in order to grow and expand as a nation. Many of Nixon’s decisions were very positive and helped the people, however his corrupt workings during his terms changed his reputation for the worse. If Nixon wouldn’t have involved himself in these dealings, many would think of him as a better president and his legacy wouldn’t be filled with as much negativity. Unfortunately for Nixon, his negative actions made while in office tend to overshadow his positive actions. Overall, Nixon rightfully deserves a C- for his work as president of the U.S.

Works Cited: DeGregorio, William. __The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents__. Fort Lee: Barricade. 2005.