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Richard M Nixon (January 9, 1913 – April 22, 1994) Republican 1st Term 1969-73 VP: Spiro Agnew 2nd term 1973-74 resigned VP: Gerald Ford

Theme: American Identity During Richard Nixon’s first term in office there was a break in at the Watergate Hotel in Washington D.C. According to many, items were stolen from democratic national committee offices including documents and much important information. Initially it was said to be a normal break in. Then it was discovered the President Nixon himself was involved in the theft. And what they had stolen were documents helping Nixon to secure his second term in office, which he did. But the fact that a President was involved in the planning of a heist of secret documents from a rival party made America really wonder: “Who can we trust?” It created a twisted sense of not knowing who was really in charge. It made people much more judging about the people they elected and about people who did shady things during their terms. During Nixon’s term and a quarter in office, he accomplished many things. He established the EPA, the Anti-Ballistic missile treaty with Soviet Russia and eventually calmed down the Vietnam War. But what makes the President is not what he does for the country, it’s what he does within the country. And what Nixon did within the country was plot and scheme for his own gains. He knew and helped planned the Watergate break-in. He broke the trust of his people, for that reason I can only give him the grade of a C-, and that’s a stretch. During Nixon’s inaugural address, he stressed peacemaking. He believed that everything could be achieved and peace could be reached. He was even quoted saying "the greatest honor history can bestow is the title of peacemaker." He then continued to say that it was America’s turn to be the peacemaker. He looked much to the future and talked about the 200th anniversary of America and the entering of the new millennium. In his second address he continues talking about peace and talks of all the possibilities it will bring to our nation. Nixon had roughly 5 years in office. In his 5 years the congressional majority was Democrats and not Nixon’s republicans. Despite this, Nixon and his congress were still able to pass crucial acts and establish great things. One of his most notable creations is the EPA or the Environmental Protection Agency which regulated the country’s ecological damage. He also helped put in to place the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty which served the purpose of allowing only a certain number of ABM stations in each country. It may not seem like a good idea in this day in age, but it was a treaty none-the-less, and anything that could help the tension with Russia did. Nixon did many good and bad things, depending on your viewpoint. In my opinion his commitment to peace was his best achievement. He was constantly focused on it, he fought for it, and most importantly, he did achieve peace to some degree. He was never afraid to go to hostile countries, meet with hostile leaders, and was never intimidated by others power. He was a strong willed President who fought for peace and succeeded. However, he made the biggest mistake in presidential history. He participated in the planning and research that took place in order to steal Democrat documents at Watergate. It was a federal crime and something so serious it couldn’t and wouldn’t be overlooked. Nixon resigned from the Presidency, the first one to do so, after this breaking news came to surface. Most believe, as I do, that he would have been the first President to be impeached. So his involvement with the Watergate scandal ended his presidency. Despite the Watergate scandal and the bad taste it left in everyone’s mouth, the country was better off after Nixon left office. He had helped create a great peace come over the U.S. and that means he succeeded in his goal. So that is why I gave him the grade of a C-. If he had finished his term without any of this scandal happening, he could’ve been regarded as one of the most peace-making presidents in U.S. history.

"Richard Nixon." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia //. Web. 19 Dec. 2011. .

"Richard M. Nixon." //The White House //. Web. 21 Dec. 2011. . "American President: Richard Nixon." //Miller Center //. Web. 20 Dec. 2011. .