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Life: (January 9, 1913-April 22, 1994) Political Party: Republican Terms: 2, January 20, 1969-August 9, 1974 Vice Presidents: 1st term- Spiro Agnew (1969-1973) 2nd term- Gerald Ford (1973-1974)
 * __Richard Nixon __**

The most important thing people remember about Nixon is his involvement in the Watergate Scandal. Many people oversee Nixon as a bad president, but he was not. Although he was the only president to resign from office due to the Watergate Scandal Nixon helped to end the Vietnam War, boost the falling economy, and improve foreign relations, so therefore he shall be awarded a B for his presidency.

Coming into the presidency, the Vietnam War was one of the most important tasks Nixon faced. More than hundreds of American troops were dying each week in Vietnam, so he was faced with two scenarios: Come up with a new foreign policy to secure South Vietnam as a non-communist state or withdraw all American troops. As a result, Nixon implemented the Nixon Doctrine. This statement said American troops would be replaced with Vietnamese soldiers. After attacking the Ho Chi Minh Trail, Nixon created the Gates Commission to end the military draft. After years of fighting, the Paris Peace Accords Treaty was signed. This allowed the United States to pull out of the war. Nixon successfully managed to end the war, thus achieving his initial Vietnam goal. Another one of Nixon’s goals was to improve foreign relations not only with the Soviet Union, but with China as well. Both of these goals were accomplished very well. Nixon traveled to China upon the request of Mao Zedong and they talked about a range of issues. This meeting was the start of US-Chinese relations. With the Cold War still in effect, Nixon wanted to advance relations with the USSR. He traveled to Moscow and met with Leonid Brezhnev, the Soviet leader. After negotiations, two treaties were compromised: SALT 1 and Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. SALT 1, or Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, was an agreement on controlling military weapons. The Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty banned the continuing development of devices primarily used to catch missiles.

If one word/phrase were to be chosen to describe the relationship between President Nixon and Congress, it would have to be unfriendly diplomacy. Although Congress and Nixon did not get along, they still managed to pass many laws. (Shown below is the number of Democrats and Republicans during each of Nixon’s Congresses) 91st Congress-House of Rep: 243 D-192 R, Senate: 57 D-43 R 92nd Congress-House of Rep: 255 D-180 R, Senate: 54 D-44 R 93rd Congress-House of Rep: 242 D-192 R, Senate: 56 D-42 R Some laws/acts that Congress and Nixon approved were the Environmental Protection Agency, Clean Air Act of 1970, Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Equal Employment Opportunity Act. To begin, the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, was created in order to protect the environment and human health. Next the Clean Air Act of 1970 obligated the EPA to enforce regulations to protect the public from contaminants in the air that could be harmful to people’s health. The OSHA’s job was to make and carry out standards for workplaces to successfully prevent injuries. The EEOA created the EEOC, or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The EEOC made sure people were not being discriminated in the work field based on their race, color, nationality, religion, etc. These couple acts showed Nixon’s commitment to protecting the environment and workers. Last but not least, the 26th amendment was passed, which made the standard voting age 18. To summarize, Nixon did not have a Republican majority and that is one of the main reasons why Nixon and Congress cooperated with reluctance.

The most positive outcome of Nixon’s presidency was restarting the drooping economy. Nixon’s resolution to the economy was to crush inflation and reduce unemployment. To begin, Nixon helped pass the Economic Stabilization Act of 1970. This act gave Nixon the power to control prices and wages. Also Nixon completely ended the gold standard policy. To lessen unemployment, Nixon operated under the idea of Keynesianism, which would stimulate the economy by spending more money. Plus Nixon put a 10% tax on all imports into the United States and ended fixed exchange rates. As a result of his economic policies, family’s income level rose and labor unions declined. President Nixon successfully boosted the economy in a much needed time.

Nixon’s most negative action was undoubtedly the Watergate Scandal. Everything began when five men broke into the Democratic National Committee at the Watergate complex in Washington D.C. These men were later connected to the Committee to Re-elect the President. Nixon tried to cover-up the break-in and seem innocent, but when the government made him hand over the secret tape recordings of Democratic conversations, he had no choice. Knowing he would be impeached for his involvement in the scandal, Nixon didn’t want to be humiliated, so he resigned from office. His Watergate Scandal obviously lost him support and his followers wanted him to resign. Nixon is the only president up to this day who resigned from office.

Nixon unquestionably impacted future presidencies. The Watergate Scandal showed to the people that everyone, even presidents, makes mistakes. Nobody is perfect. Even more important, it showed to presidents that even one bad move can haunt your presidency and reputation forever. Also the 26th amendment was passed, which still exists today.

All in all, Nixon had a good presidency. The nation was definitely in a better state after Nixon’s presidency. He helped restart the economy and ended American involvement in the Vietnam War. Nixon also passed laws that protected the environment and the workers from discrimination and injuries/illnesses. Nixon made a lot of positive contributions for the nation but because of the Watergate Scandal, his grade drops from an A to a B.

Bibliography:

"Historical Party Strength in U.S. House of Representatives." //U.S. Congress//. Web. 25 Dec. 2009. []. "Historical Party Strength in U.S. Senate." //U.S. Congress//. Web. 25 Dec. 2009. []. "Presidents: Richard Nixon." //American History and World History at Historycentral.com the largest and most complete history site on the web//. Web. 26 Dec. 2009.  