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How Did Richard Nixon Influence Government

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The mention of Richard Nixon’s presidency is invariably connected to the Watergate scandal, because of its effect on the public’s view of the presidency and government. It is hard to forget one of the most massive instances of government corruption and dishonesty that stemmed from the president himself. Nixon was known as a politician that would do whatever it takes to achieve his political goals and eliminate his competition. He came into the presidency when the U.S. was in a time of cultural and political conflict, so he appealed to a silent majority in order to win votes. Despite Nixon’s success in foreign and environmental affairs, his presidency was overshadowed by his domestic policies and the Watergate scandal. Emerging from the 1960’s, the Nixon’s era was characterized by conflicting political and social movements and deteriorating economic and environmental conditions. Nixon was elected because of his image as a steady Republican candidate amid disarray within the Democratic party. President Lyndon B. Johnson decided not to seek reelection, and Vice President Hubert Humphrey’s campaign was ruined by protests. In addition, …show more content…
Nixon openly voiced his view on desegregation, and stated that his objective was to “place the question of school desegregation in its larger context, as part of America’s historic commitment to the achievement of a free and open society” (Nixon). Nixon reaffirmed his support for the Brown v. Board of Education decision, and discussed his policies to ease the transition of segregated schools. However, one of the aspects of desegregation that he furiously opposed was the idea of busing. The objective of busing was racial integration, but Nixon believed it was unnecessary. Unfortunately, his views encouraged racist mobs that attacked children on buses

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