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Richard Milhous Nixon Born: January 9, 1913 in Yorba Linda, California Died: April 22, 1994 in New York, New York Political Party: Republican Terms: (1969-1973) and (1973-1974) Vice Presidents: Spiro T. Agnew (1969-1973) and Gerald Ford (1973-1974)

If I were to give Richard Nixon a grade, I would give him a D. There were both good and bad things that occurred during his presidency. He did much to help the environment as well as improve foreign relations with the U.S.S.R. and China. Also, Nixon was able to end the Vietnam War during his two terms. The Watergate Scandal as well as rising unemployment are why the grade is brought down.

Richard Nixon's goal going into the presidency was reconciliation. Nixon wanted to mend the divided nation and end the Vietnam War. The nation eventually succeeded in ending the Vietnam War while bettering relationships with China and the U.S.S.R., making his second goal achieved. However, mending the divided nation did not occur in the end because Nixon was forced to resign after the Watergate scandal was uncovered. The Watergate scandal involved taping phone conversations and the illegal creation of a secret police. After the scandal was released, Richard Nixon's popularity sank greatly and faced impeachment. So as not to get impeached, Nixon resigned, leaving the presidency and it's burdens on Gerald Ford. Due to the scandal and resignation that outraged the country, Nixon did not achieve his first goal of reconciliation.

Nixon's relationship with Congress was decent. Most of the laws and bills were passed easily and without much controversy. His policy of gradualism, or restricting the growth of the money supply to rein in the economy, was adopted, as well as many pieces of legislation concerning the environment, on-the-job accidents, and proposing an over-haul of federal welfare programs. These were all passed without much issue in Congress. The only apparent issue that came up was when the Republicans picked up two seats in the Senate but lost nine seats in the House.

The action that had the most positive outcome during Nixon's terms as president was the improved foreign relations with the U.S.S.R. and China. Nixon sent diplomatic feelers to China and referred to them as their official name, the People's Republic of China. Nixon visited Beijing in 1972, and his visit was widely televised and greatly viewed. By visiting Beijing, the Communist Soviet Union and American relations improved. Improved relations between America and China resulted in the Soviets improving their relationship with Americans. Nixon met with the Soviet leader in Moscow where he signed the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty and the Anit-Ballistic Missile treaty, paving the way for future pacts to reduce and eliminate arms. Agreements on science, space, and trade were also negotiated by Nixon. By improving these foreign relations, Nixon prevented a possible arms race between the United States and the Communist countries, making this action the most positive during his terms as president.

The action that had the most negative outcome during Nixon's term eventually led him to resign for fear of impeachment; the Watergate scandal. Nixon bugged phone lines as well as set up his own secret police organization, to investigate and stop possible leaks and conspiracy. When the Pentagon Papers, a massive study on the Vietnam war, was released, the author referenced top secret documents from the last two presidencies. Nixon feared his own politically damaging secrets would be exposed prior to the election. To find out more about the supposed conspiracy, Nixon had two of his officers from the secret police force break into a psychiatry office to look for damaging information on the man that leaked the Pentagon Papers, Daniel Ellsberg. The White House managed to cover up the scandal for the upcoming election, but as the investigation went on, Nixon's popularity diminished. To avoid impeachment, Nixon resigned from the presidency and left Gerald Ford to become president.

A decision made by the president and his administration that affected future generations was the passing of the conservation and environmental legislation. The creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and amendments such as the Clean Air Act of 1967 that called for a reduction in auto emissions as well as national testing of air quality, paved the way for future legislation and organizations to improve the environment. Other environmental legislation that helped pave the way for future acts were the 1972 Noise Control Act, the 1973 Endangered Species Act, and the 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act. Through all of this legislation passed by Nixon and his administration, more presidents were moved to take steps towards conserving and preserving the environment, making these actions the most influential.

Due to environmental legislation, improved foreign relations, and the Watergate scandal, Richard Nixon deserves a D grade. At the end of his term, the economy was failing fast, inflation and unemployment continued to rise, and the stock market was crashing. The country was in a horrible economic situation when Nixon left, which is why his grade is so low. The country was better off before his presidency than after. Also, the Watergate scandal was a huge deal and showed how corrupt the White House was at the time, further lowering the grade. It is for these reasons, I give Richard Nixon a D grade.

Bibliography

"American President: Richard Milhous Nixon: Domestic Affairs." //Miller Center of Public Affairs//. Web. 21 Dec. 2010. .

"Richard M. Nixon." //The White House//. Web. 21 Dec. 2010. .