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Spiro Agnew (1969–1973) Gerald Ford (1973–1974)
 * Richard Milhous Nixon**
 * Vice President: **
 * Born: ** January 9, 191
 * Died: ** April 22, 1994
 * Political party:** Republican
 * In office** : January 20, 1969 – August 9, 1974

Nixon was not a bad president but a few mistakes greatly hurt his reputations and condemned him in the eyes of America. He helped the American economy, reduced the number of troops in Vietnam slowly transferring the responsibility to the people of Southern Vietnam. He passed environmental protection laws, helped negotiate worldwide restrictions on weapons and improved American relations. Although the two mistakes made were the Watergate Scandal and part of his dealing with the Vietnam War. All in all he was not a horrible president earning him the grade of a C+. Nixon had very ambitious goals but not unlike ones of previous presidents. He wanted peace in Vietnam, stop drafting, control arms and reduce inflation. Nixon did not accomplish his goals of peace, he actually did the opposite when he sent troops to Cambodia and ordered for more bombings. Nixon did reduce the number of troops in Vietnam though. He did so with the Nixon Doctrine and Vietnamization. Nixon actually extended the draft and it did not end until the end of the Vietnam War. Nixon did attempt to control inflation in various ways such as freezing wages and the economy began to improve. Nixon made much progress in controlling crime with the Organized Crime Control Act, The Drug Abuse Control Act and The District of Columbia Criminal Justice Act.

Nixon had a great relationship with congress and the flood of legislation during his presidency can confirm this. The odd thing is that the Democrats were the majority party in congress although not by much. This relationship upheld until he Watergate Scandal.

The most positive thing that Nixon did during his presidency was the steps he took to help the Environment. Nixon with the help of congress passed The Environmental Quality Policy Act, The Environmental Protection Agency, The Water Policy Improvement Act, The National Air Quality Standards Act, and The resource Recovery Act. All in all this reduce pollution, increased water purity and made clean air standards.

The most negative effect would be the Water Gate Scandal because it hurt his reputation and credibility and ultimately led to him resigning. In an attempt to prevent a loss in the next election Nixon’s administration broke into the Watergate hotel and stole the Democratic Party’s campaign plans. This caused uproar among the American people and hurt his good relations with congress.

Nixon’s most influential decision would be his foreign policy. In visiting China he set a new standards for presidential relations with other countries. Visiting China strengthened American relations with them as well. He also negotiated with the Soviets and made the Seabed Treaty, The Chemical Weapons Treaty and the Salt Agreement. These created some guidelines for weapon building. These limited the number of missiles that could be built, restrict the presence of nuclear weapons in cretin areas and put restrictions on chemical as well as biological weapons.

Richard Nixon does not completely deserve the reputation given to him. Even though he did make a few mistakes and ultimately lose the trust of the American people he did have many positive effects on America before his resignation. Nixon improved the American economy, reduced the number of troops in Vietnam, passed many environmental protection laws, and improved American foreign relations. Taking both sides into account the grade of a C+ seems much deserved.

DeGregorio, William A. The Complete Book of U.S Presidents. 7th ed. Richard M. Nixon. New Jersey: Barricade Books Inc., 2009.
 * Work Cited**

"Richard Nixon: Biography from Answers.com." Answers.com: Wiki Q&A Combined with Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Encyclopedias. Web. 27 May 2010. . "Richard Nixon." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 27 May 2010.

Web. 27 May 2010. . “Party Division in the Senate, 1789-Present.”United States Senate. United States Senate, 2010. Web. 27 May. 2010. < [|http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/history/one_item_and_teasers/party] [|__iv__] __. >.__