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Richard Milhous Nixon Born: January 9, 1913 Died: April 22, 1994 Political Party: Republican Terms in Office: January 20, 1969 – August 9, 1974 Vice President: Spiro Agnew (1969-1973) Gerald Ford (1973-1974)

Throughout Richard Nixon’s presidency he made good and bad decisions. His most remembered decision though was a negative one. Nixon though made many good decisions. He helped to patch things up with China and the Soviet Union. Nixon achieved all of the goals that he set. The Watergate Scandal ruined him though in the end. For this Nixon deserves a C+ for his Presidency.

Richard Nixon’s main goal as President was reconciliation. He wanted to find a resolution to the Vietnam war. Nixon wanted to also gain credit for easing the Cold War tensions. Nixon’s plan was to play China against the Soviet Union and the Soviet Union against China, and then eventually have them both play against North Vietnam. In 1971 Mao Zedong invited an American table tennis team to China for some exhibition matches. Nixon had Kissinger go to secret meetings with Chinese officials. Nixon achieved his goal of obtaining a good relationship with China and the Soviet Union.

Nixon’s relationship with Congress was a good one. Despite the fact that Nixon was a Republican, but the majority of the House and the Senate were Democrats. Most of Nixon’s new ideas were shot down by Congress at first. One idea though that was not shot down was Nixon’s idea to go to China. Nixon went to China to work through the foreign issues they had with each other.

The most positive outcome of Nixon’s presidency was helping improve the relationship between China and the soviet Union Nixon improved our relationship with China. He also showed Americans what it was really like in China by having American journalists accompany him and his wife to China. Nixon also wanted to restrain inflation and to improve the economy. Nixon did this by driving up the costs of imports. Nixon and the Soviet Union established a cooperation between them also referred to as détente. Nixon did this with the Soviet Union by signing two arms control agreements. SALT 1was the first treaty signed. The second was the Anti-ballistic Missile Treaty which banned the development of anything that would intercept incoming missiles.

The most negative decision made by President Nixon was his involvement in the Watergate Scandal. Men employed by Nixon broke into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex. This decision ultimately led to Nixon resigning as the United States President. The men involved were linked to the Committee to re-elect the President. Nixon had a tape recording system that he had recorded many conversations. These recordings revealed that Nixon tried to cover up the break-ins. This was the worst thing that could have happened to President Nixon.

The most memorable aspect of Nixon’s presidency was the Watergate Scandal. Most people when they here Nixon’s name do not think about how he helped create better relationships with other countries. All many people think of when they think of Nixon is his involvement in the Watergate Scandal. This was the worst possible decision that Nixon made because that is what most people remember him by.

Nixon deserves a C+ for his presidency. In the beginning Nixon had a great start. He worked very hard at achieving his goals. Nixon achieved his goal of creating a better relationship with China and the Soviet Union. Nixon also achieved his goal of ending the conflict in North Vietnam. Ultimately Nixon’s involvement in the Watergate Scandal was what brought Nixon’s grade down. This decision of his was the ultimate downfall of Nixon as President.

Works Cited:

"American President: Richard Milhous Nixon." //Miller Center of Public Affairs //. Web. 27 May 2010. <[]>.   "Richard Nixon." Wikipedia. 26 May 2010. <[]>.  Richard M. Nixon." //The White House //. Web. 27 May 2010. [].