Taylor+S.+-AB-+FA12

Richard M. Nixon January 9, 1913 Yorba Linda, California- April 22, 1994 New York City

Political Party: Republican

1st Term: January 20, 1969-January 20, 1973 2nd Term: January 20, 1973-August 9,1974

Vice Presidents:1st Term: Spiro T. Agnew (1969-1973), 2nd Term: Spiro T. Agnew (1973), Gerald R. Ford (from December 6, 1973)

Thematic Content: Similar to all presidents before him, Richard Nixon dealt with civil rights. In August 1969, President Nixon issued Executive Order 11478, which required all federal agencies to adopt "affirmative programs for equal employment opportunity." These programs were meant to increase access to education and employment for minorities. The education and employment programs applied to the blacks, latinos, asians, woman, and the disabled. In 1970, Nixon implemented the Philadelphia Plan. This served as one of the first significant affirmative actions programs. The Philadelphia Plan required government contractors to hire minority workers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He originally responded to the call for integration of schools with very little action. Hoping for reelection, the president sought to end desegregation of schools as a political issue. He would need the vote of the southern whites to win a second term. After his inauguration, the president appointed vice president Agnew to lead a civil rights task force. However, secretary George Shultz would prove to have more interest, working closely with local whites and blacks to find the best way to desegregate schools. The Northern United States became enraged over the busing of black students outside of their neighborhoods. Nixon took a strong personal stance against the busing of black students, but enforced the court orders that required black students to have the opportunity to ride the bus. It took a significant amount of pressure for the president to accept civil rights for African Americans. His personal beliefs caused him to stray from large scale action to ensure rights for blacks. The well respected historian and author Stephen E. Ambrose states, "Nixon had to be hauled kicking and screaming into desegregation on a meaningful scale, and he did what he did not because it was right, but because he had no choice."

Thesis: As a president with many ambitious goals for bettering the United States, Richard Nixon proved himself to be far less than effective. He publically pushed to end the war in Vietnam, only to show a small-scale removal of American troops. The American people pushed to bring their loved ones home and end the horrific war, but Nixon responded with further expansion of the conflict with relentless bombing and further invasion. Like any politician, Nixon sold himself to the American public, forging the believe of large scale prosperity that would be born from his administration. However, Nixon did not deliver. Scandal involving the president completely overshadowed what could have been an effective presidency, causing nearly the entire political body of Congress and American citizens to become skeptic of the Nixon and his actions. Before respectfully resigning and leaving the White House, Nixon diplomatic affiliation with the People’s Republic of China and the Soviet Union. The effort to engage with these communist bodies would provide the nation with what would manifest into very substantial foreign relations. Richard Nixon deserves a D+ for his presidency based on the little progress made during his administration and inability to foster American trust and a positive outlook on their leader.

Goals: Nixon set his first goal as reconciliation. The nation was terribly divided, with protests sweeping the American streets and a gruesome war abroad. One of Nixon’s largest domestic goals was to institute “New Federalism,” or transfer certain federal government powers back to the state. Richard Nixon had ambitious economic goals, the first of which being to drastically reduce inflation. He abandoned the gold standard in order to restore financial stability. He also sought to lower interest rates, which were at a record high for the century. He would address these economic issues with his biggest goal to end the ongoing war in Vietnam. The president believed that Vietnam had caused a large division in America and that it had a poor effect on the American people. On the world stage, Nixon aspired to open up new markets and establish strong relations with former foe, Russia and the increasingly communist China.

Relationship with Congress: During Richard Nixon’s first term, the 91st and 92nd Congresses were in session. The 91st Congress held a large number of Democrats, overshadowing the President’s Republican party. Through the duration of Nixon’s second administration, the 93rd Congress controlled the legislative branch of government. Through his short second term, Nixon found it increasingly difficult to pass legislation with the democratic majority. Scandal struck the white house, causing the Congress and many of the American people to lose trust in their leader. The Watergate scandal would be the downfall of Nixon’s presidential career and political influence on America. Nixon discusses this as his reason for leaving the White House in his resignation speech. He states, “ I have felt it was my duty to persevere, to make every possible effort to complete the term of office to which you elected me. In the past few days, however, it has become evident to me that I no longer have a strong enough political base in the Congress to justify continuing that effort.” The president goes on to say, “But with the disappearance of that base, I now believe that the constitutional purpose has been served, and there is no longer a need for the process to be prolonged.” With the loss of his Congress, came the loss of his presidency.

Positive Action: Richard Nixon laid the groundwork for stronger a stronger relationship with the People’s Republic of China. Before entering office, the vice president traveled to China with his National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger. Nixon recognized the strained relations between the Soviet Union and China, reaching out to the Chinese government with the desire to establish closer relations. Nixon announced in July of 1971 that he would cross the Pacific, reaching out to the communist east. It was publicized in earlier months to allow both the Chinese citizens and American citizens to adapt to the idea of friendly ties with each other. In February of 1972, Nixon, along with his wife Pat, traveled to China to meet with Chairman Mao and Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai. With his visit, Nixon took a very successful step in the direction of normalizing relations between the People’s Republic and the United States. It was the first time in American history that a president had made landfall in China, ending 25 years of separation. The visit to China was incredibly important in writing foreign policy, China would become a friendly nation in the eyes of many American politicians. The newfound relationship would officially open a strong, withstanding market between China and the United States, increasing the level of trade activity between the countries.

Negative Action: The most negative action during the Nixon administration was the decision to go after the North Vietnamese soldiers in Cambodia. During the Vietnam war, North Vietnam sent their soldiers into South Vietnam through Cambodian soil. Nixon took the controversial action to bomb what was believed to be routes used by the Viet Cong, despite that the land was controlled by Cambodia. Many Americans, mostly young people and college students, believed that Nixon was actively expanding the war that brought so many sorrow and discontent. Radical students and other outraged peoples began to protest on college campuses. These displays moved to the streets, calling for the United States National Guard to contain the masses and violence that resulted from the protests. The most tragic incidents occurred at Kent State University, in Ohio, and Jacksonville State University, in Florida. The Kent State incident started when college students and a university professor lit a fire, with the intent of destroying the campus’ ROTC building. The Ohio National Guard was called in to end the student protest. The National Guard, acting irrationally, shot into the crowd of protesting students, killing 4 and injuring 9. To make matters more tragic, some of the victims were innocent bystanders. In Jacksonville State, 2 more students were killed, just 11 days after the Kent State massacre. The college students became martyrs for the anti-Vietnam movement, which was quickly picking up steam throughout America. The Vietnam War was a disaster for America and the negative public view greatly influenced many soldiers who no longer felt supported by the United States citizens. With discouraged morale, soldiers returned home to be greeted by angry people, many that would verbally assault and spit on them. South Vietnam would quickly fall after the absence of American soldiers. The United States fell to the Viet Cong, with social roots of the American people being uprooted at home. America was embarrassed on the International Stage for the first time.

Influential Decision: Richard Nixon’s decision to begin peaceful relations with China and the Soviet Union would prove to be highly effective for years to come. For many years after Nixon left office, the ties created would stand and grow stronger. Sino-American relations have dominated many domestic and foreign policies in the United States. Currently, the United States and China are the largest mutual trading partners in the world. Nixon was also able to highlight the growing tensions between the USSR and the PRC. Both countries grew skeptical of each other, each believing that the rival superpower was working closely with the United States. Nixon’s decision to journey to each country would improved American relations. Known for his famous Kitchen Debate, Nixon is credited for working to improve relations with the communist USSR. Under Nixon, the United States and the USSR had peaceful relations, and Nixon became well respected in the Soviet Empire. China also has a very positive view on Nixon, as they see him as the man who opened up Chinese trade to the west. Richard Nixon’s actions on foreign soil would keep the United States out of conflict and in good standing for strong political relationships and monetary aid.

Conclusion: While Richard Nixon did accomplish many important goals of his presidency, his legacy was marred by the infamous Watergate scandal which would end his illustrious political career. Many Americans grew to distrust the presidential office and true skepticism of government spread through American public. The true effects of Nixon’s administrations are often overshadowed by his poor sense of judgement. Richard Nixon planted the seeds of what would be a strong political and economic relationship between China and the United States. Opening China up for American opportunity, Nixon would benefit the United States for nearly 40 years. He successfully initiated friendly relations with the Soviet Union, ending the true possibility of nuclear war. However, Nixon was very close to impeachment, choosing to officially resign from the presidency. A president is no longer a leader when in the eyes of the American people, they are dishonest and unable to be trusted. By the end of his presidency, Nixon was no longer a leader.

Bibliography: "Richard M. Nixon." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2013. "Richard M. Nixon." The White House. The White House, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2013. "Richard Nixon." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2013. "1972 Nixon Visit to China." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 06 Jan. 2013.