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Richard M. Nixon Party: Republican In office: 1969-1974 Vice Presidents: Spiro T. Agnew (1969-1973); Gerald R. Ford (1973-1974) Grade: C

**Culture:** Richard Nixon was heavily affected by the pressures of the media in America. Nixon chose a running mate that appealed to the South so that southerners would be attracted to Nixon’s ideas and values. If it weren’t for the expansive media coverage of the election, people wouldn’t analyze his campaign so heavily that he would need to cover his demographics as well as he did. Another way culture affected his presidency through the media is the Watergate Scandal. Nixon is most known for the Watergate Scandal due to the high speed of the 70s media.

Nixon deserves a C for his time governing the United States. He was a strong and intelligent leader throughout his career as president and he made many beneficial decisions for the American people that were overshadowed by one event that greatly affected history. Nixon was an influential president, taking part in a monumental part of American History.

Nixon promoted patriotism and unity in his inaugural addresses. He was focused on leaving the White House with an optimistic and cooperative America. These goals were especially important with the troops returning from Vietnam in 1973. Although he did not accomplish this goal at the end of his administration, he did his best throughout the late 60s and early 70s. To quote his first inaugural address, “ We cannot learn from one another until we stop shouting at one another -- until we speak quietly enough so that our words can be heard as well as our voices. ” This is a prime example of his beliefs in what Americas focus should be set on.

Even before the Watergate scandal in Nixon’s career, he experienced trouble getting along with congress. The 1969 election was extremely close, and congress was not primarily Republican or Democrat. This made it difficult to be active in decision making and law passing. Due to his failed attempt to invade Laos he was even more limited with congress, as they were skeptic of his leadership through the Vietnam War. Of course, after the Watergate scandal (as described further ahead) Nixon’s congress nearly shut down.

Nixon is known for his scandals. The biggest scandal in political history, Watergate, was under the Nixon administration and dealt directly with him. Members of the Committee to Reelect the President broke into the Democratic National HQs in order to collect information to get Nixon elected for his second term. They tapped the HQs and Nixon was found with the recordings in his office. There was much talk of Impeaching Nixon for betraying the loyalty of America; however he stepped down to avoid this. This is a terrible thing to be remembered for as president, and it caused many people to disregard his successes as president.

His biggest success was the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA is still in effect today and delivers protection to our now extremely fragile environment. It was very insightful of Nixon to create an administration that prevented pollution. Had he not done this, global warming may have been out of our control at this point. This also encouraged American unity like he had talked about in his inaugural address, because it gave America a new cause to fight-pollution.

Most effects of Nixon’s presidency stand out in history, but the one that affects the world the most is the first moon landing. Nixon’s funding to NASA caused the Apollo 11 mission’s success. This affected the world by encouraging more scientific studies of the unknown. It boosted American nationalism because America beat the Soviet Union in the space race to land on the moon.

Nixon had highs and lows in American history. As a president, he did a terrific job until Watergate. Despite this he still was a tremendous benefit to America. Nixon would be deserving of an A if it weren’t for Watergate, but he gets a C for cheating in the elections.

Works Cited 1975, early, and Nixon's health was improving. He maintained an office in a Coast Guard. "Richard Nixon - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Dec. 2011. . DeGregorio, William A., and Sandra Lee. Stuart. Fort Lee, New Jersey: Barricade Books Inc., 2009. "Richard M. Nixon | The White House." //The White House//. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Dec. 2011. .

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