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Richard Milhous Nixon: January 9, 1913- April 22, 1994 Political Party: Republican Terms of Office: January 20, 1969 to August 9, 1974 Vice Presidents: Spiro T. Agnew (1969 - 1973) • Gerald Ford (1973 - 1974) Picture: [] Richard Nixon encountered a great deal of events, good and bad, during his Presidency. He was able to end the war in Vietnam and pass legislation at home. The Watergate crisis also occurred during Nixon’s terms as President. Therefore, Nixon deserves a “C” for his presidency due to his foreign and domestic affairs, as well as the Watergate scandal.
 * Thesis **

Nixon had multiple goals for his presidency. The first was to win the war in Vietnam. Nixon first looked to “Vietnamize” the war. His Vietnamization strategy was to remove 540,000 American troops in South Vietnam over an extended period of time. Nixon’s goal was achieved when on January 23, 1973, North Vietnamese negotiators made “cease-fire arrangements.” The U.S. was to remove its remaining troops in North Vietnam and in return would receive American war prisoners. Other arrangements were made; however, the “peace” made with North Vietnam was really just a concealed American retreat. Another goal was to alter the Supreme Court’s “philosophical complexion.” This goal was seen through when openings appeared in the Court and Nixon appointed individuals who would interpret the Constitution strictly, end interferences in social and political problems, and who wouldn’t pamper radicals and criminals. The Supreme Court additionally approved Nixon’s proposal of Warren E. Burger to take over the position of chief justice form retiring Earl Warren. Prior to the end of 1971, the Court accommodated four conservative appointments of Nixon’s. Nixon also supported an anticrime policy. In 1970, he passed the Organized Crime Control Act. The OCCA sought to suppress organized crime in the U.S. increasing the legal devices in the “evidence-gathering process,” by setting up punishing prohibitions, and giving improved authorizations as well as new solutions to handle illegal actions of people involved in organized crime. Nixon additionally supported the passage of the Comprehensive Drug Abuse and Control Act.
 * Goals **

Nixon had a shaky relationship with Congress. To begin with, both houses of Congress held Democratic majorities, unfavorable to the Republican President. One year after Nixon took office, the Vietnam War had grown to be the longest conflict in American history. Approximately 40,000 individuals had been killed and over a quarter of a million were wounded, which also made it the most expensive foreign conflict the U.S was ever faced with. It had been known that North Vietnam and Viet Cong were using Cambodia to gain troops, weapons, as well as supplies. On April 29, 1970, Nixon ordered American forces to wash out rival refuges in Cambodia, without the consent of Congress. The Senate, in response, repealed the Gulf of Tonkin blank check that Congress had previously granted Johnson. This action of the Senate was a move to try and “control” Nixon. On another note, Nixon approved raising funding for Food Stamps and Medicaid, and Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), which was aimed towards single mothers and young children. Nixon also put into action Supplemental Security Income (SSI), assisting the elderly, blind and disabled. He approved legislation in 1972 that increased Social Security old age pensions and called for raises when the expense of living grew over 3% in any given year. Nixon was even able decrease the nation’s poverty rate to 11%. Additional significant accomplishments of Nixon included his establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970, and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). Concerning the environment, the Nixon administration passed the Clean Air Act of 1970, and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. In 1971 Nixon issued a 90 day price freeze, and also took the United States off the gold standard. In Nixon’s second term, he faced Democratic majorities once again. After the conflict in North Vietnam had been accelerated, Nixon commenced a two week bombing of the country in an attempt to push North Vietnam to make negotiations. One damaging aspect of Nixon’s presidency was the Watergate crisis. On June 17, 1972, a burglary took place in the Democratic headquarters in Watergate, Washington. A total of five men were arrested with “electronic bugging equipment.” In July of 1973, a report surfaced that “bugging equipment” had been set up in the White House with Nixon’s knowledge. Nixon’s conversations had been taped and recorded without informing the other parties that “listening in” was occurring. Nixon denied knowing about the Watergate issue before it took place as well as participation it the cover up. He also refused to give up the recorded evidence. In 1974, Nixon finally complied to put out “relevant” pieces of the tapes; however, considerable amounts of the tapes were not there, which Nixon refused to present. As a result, the Supreme Court ruled that “executive privilege” gave him no right to hold the certain sections of tape related to criminal activity. Nixon was forced to give in. The House Judiciary Committee moved along with its measures of impeachment. This ultimately led to Nixon’s resignation. This crisis greatly damaged Nixon’s relationship with Congress. In the middle of this issue, Congress passed the War Powers Act of 1973 over the veto of Nixon. This Act required Nixon to notify Congress within 48-hours after entrusting forces to a foreign issue or after greatly increasing U.S. troops in a foreign country. This also showed Congresses weariness towards the President.
 * Relationship with Congress **

Nixon’s most positive outcome as President was ending the war in Vietnam. The fighting in Vietnam had grown larger and as a result, Nixon initiated a two week bombing of North Vietnam in an attempt to bring the enemy to negotiate. This assault caused significant fatalities of the U.S.’s B-52 bombers. This attack however, led North Vietnamese negotiators to concur to a cease fire on January 23, 1973. The United States was to remove its troops still in the country and could also regain American prisoners of war. Arrangements were also made that the South Vietnamese government could continue to obtain American aid, not including U.S. troops. The future of the nation was also to be decided in a forthcoming election. Nixon was able to get the United States out of the Vietnam War which was a tremendous success of his presidency. Another positive presidential outcome was his Philadelphia Plan of 1969. His Philadelphia Plan called for unions of construction trade in Philadelphia working on federal contracts to set up “goals and timetables” for employing African American apprentices. This Plan had long reaching impact. It quickly stretched out to all federal contracts and thus entailed employers to meet quotas for hiring or set up “set-asides” for subcontractors who were in the minority. Nixon as a result elevated affirmative action to support certain groups. General employment and educational chances were unlocked for women ad minorities through the actions of Nixon and the Court who backed his motives. Although some opposition was met to Nixon’s affirmative action methods, it was a positive step towards equality. Another positive result of Nixon’s presidency was when he successfully brought about a time of détente. China and the Soviet Union were conflicting with one another, which Nixon felt was costing the U.S. a chance to work off of them and force the North Vietnamese to peace. Nixon himself traveled to China in 1972 and this led to bettered relations with Beijing. Nixon continued by journeying to Moscow. He used his “China card.” The Soviets were interested in American foodstuffs and distressed by an escalated competition with the United States who was now backed by China. This ultimately led to a time of détente (relaxed tensions) with China and the Soviet Union. Détente further resulted in considerable accords. The first was the “great grain deal of 1972.” This three year arrangement had the United States concurred to sell the Soviet Union a minimum of $750 million of wheat, corn, and additional cereals. Another notable accomplishment that was an effect of détente was the anti-ballistic missile treaty (ABM). This treaty only allowed the U.S. and the Soviets to hold two defensive bunches of missiles. An additional arrangement was the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT), which looked to halt the amount of long range missiles for a five year period.
 * Most Positive Outcome **

The most negative outcome of Nixon’s presidency was the Watergate break in. On June 17, 1972, a break in occurred in the Democratic headquarters in Watergate, Washington. Electronic “bugging” equipment was found in the possession of five men who were arrested in the building. Multiple highly placed White House assistants and advisers were compelled to resign. By the start of 1974, 29 individuals had been accused, pleaded guilty, and were arrested for “Watergate related crimes.” The crisis also brought about the illegal utilization of the Central Intelligence Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Information surfaced in July of 1973 when it was reported that “bugging” equipment had been placed in the White House under Nixon’s permission. Conversations of Nixon’s had been taped without advising the other parties that electronic eavesdropping was going on. Nixon refuted any previous awareness of the Watergate incident or its cover up. In 1974, impeachment charges became more startling and Nixon “gave in” to the House Judiciary Committee’s call for the Watergate recordings. The President allowed the “relevant” sections of the tapes to be given up. Significant portions of the tapes were omitted; however, and Nixon rejected the idea to give up the rest of the recordings. On July 24, 1974, the Supreme Court ruled that “executive privileged” did not give Nixon the authority to hide certain portions of the tape concerning criminal activity. Nixon had no choice but to turn in the tapes. The House Judiciary Committee continued on with its charges of impeachment after the remaining sections of tapes emerged. Leaders in Congress that were republicans decided that it would be better for Nixon to resign, for if the Senate convicted him, he would give up his retirement benefits. If he resigned, he could keep them. Nixon announced his resignation on August 8, 1974 equaling his most negative presidential outcome. Another poor decision of Nixon’s was his choice not to consult Congress with events regarding Cambodia. The North Vietnamese and Viet Cong for multiple years had been using Cambodia for assistance for weapons, troops, and supplies. On April 29, 1970 Nixon demanded U.S. troops without Congresses permission to help the South Vietnamese rid Cambodia of enemy establishments. The American public resented this action of Nixon. Riots eventually broke out and Nixon removed the troops after only two months. This proved to be a negative that resulted for Nixon’s presidency.
 * Most Negative Outcome **

Nixon’s presidency had an impact on future generations and administrations. One influence on future generations was the passage of the 26th amendment. Passed by Nixon in 1971, the 26th amendment reduced the voting age to eighteen. Another impact was the Nixon Doctrine, which affected future administrations. The Nixon Doctrine stated the U.S. would honor it’s obligations but that in future events, other nations would be compelled to fight their own wars without the presence of American ground forces for aid. This ultimately led to the Reagan Doctrine, which was a strategy of the Cold War implemented by Ronald Reagan and the United States. The Doctrine stated U.S. opposition to the power of the Soviet Union by supporting anticommunist countries against communist governments. This also affected future administration.
 * Future Impact **

In conclusion, the country was better off after Nixon’s presidency; however, the Watergate scandal damaged Nixon presidency. Nixon had many issues to deal with during his presidency. He was able to end the Vietnam War and was able to make notable achievements in welfare programs. His major set back was the Watergate burglary and Nixon’s entanglement in the issue. This in the end resulted in Nixon’s resignation as President. Therefore because of the positive outcomes, as well as the negative results (such as the Watergate incident), Richard Nixon deserves a “C” for his presidency.
 * Conclusion **

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