...Richard Nixon went from a well-respected and populist president to a disgraced president that was nearly impeached. If Watergate was omitted from Nixon’s history most people would think he was a good president with a good track record and that he accomplished many things. Nixon left office to avoid being impeached; there was too much evidence against him and the media was having a field day with the evidence that was made public. Because a president has been given an enormous amount of power that is not give him the right to abuse the power. Therefore, any president or anyone for that matter should be accountable for the wrongdoings that they have done. Nixon should have been impeached. And probably would have because the numbers and the senate’s showed there was enough votes to impeach him. When Richard Nixon was pardoned by president Ford it did not set a good precedent for our nation. It became clear that a president or a politician can break the law and a successor can clear him of all his or her wrongdoings without any input from the judicial system. Although Nixon’s pardon was controversial it is rumored that Nixon made a deal to have resign only if he was given a full pardon (Herbers, 2010). It was sold to the public as the better thing to do for the country, but letting a person go that has clearly broken the law is not a good thing for our country (Dennison, 2012). The Watergate disgrace taught our country not to trust presidents or politicians for that matter....
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...Why did Richard Nixon win the presidential election in November 1968? Richard Nixon’s scant win in the election of 1968 by a mere 500,000 votes marked the end of one of America’s most tumultuous years. The assassinations, revolutions, riots, and the Vietnam War all made 1968 a year to remember in American history and the presidential race was no different. Though Nixon actually received fewer votes than he did in the 1960 election, he was able to take the presidency and begin America’s move towards conservatism. Although Nixon did make some right decisions to win the presidency, the bigger story in this election were the trials and tribulations in the Democratic camp and how they essentially sabotaged themselves. Nixon’s rise to the Republican representative began with Barry Goldwater’s smashing defeat in the 1964 election to the hands of Lyndon Johnson. Goldwater’s extreme antics had put a bad taste in the mouths of many in the GOP and Nixon used this to capture the middle and essentially the Republican nomination. Many people of America became disillusioned with the liberal programs of the Great Society and Nixon vowed to reduce such social programs and to encourage individual initiative and entrepreneurship. In attacking the welfare programs, Nixon established the Republicans as the party of white America, a tactic that helped him woo many Southerners who had become frustrated with the divided Democratic party. Nixon called out to “the forgotten Americans, those...
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...The Nixon Doctrine of 1969 Kerri Richards POL 300 November 11, 2012 Revision made 12/9/12 The Nixon Doctrine was an American foreign policy set forth by President Nixon in 1969. It was also known as the Guam Doctrine for the country in which it was announced. The strategy of the Nixon Doctrine allowed Nixon to devise a way for the United States to exit that very unpopular conflict, the Vietnam War. It also stated that the United States would provide aid to its allies in times of need. A reassessment of American foreign policy, and a move to the era of negotiation was a must. Nixon needed to first extricate the country’s forces from Vietnam. Secondly, the country needed to ease the overall tension in Berlin and the Middle East. Thirdly, according to domestic ideological demands, and due to the increasingly threatening possibility of a surprise attack, nuclear arms controls had to be carried out. Removing these problems would remedy the damage done in such a period. The problem was to figure out how. The existent schools of diplomacy did not suggest a favorable method. Nixon’s foreign policy advisors decided not to stick on preceding principles or theories, but adhere to only one basic priority, National Interest. This doctrine tried to adjust the degree of U.S. intervention in various regions by adopting three criteria in its diplomatic decision: - The United States would keep its treaty commitments - The United States would "provide a shield if a nuclear power...
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...Controversial Pardon of Richard Nixon HIST102 American History Since 1877 Instructor: 22 February 2014 Former President Richard Nixon is most well-known for his role in the Watergate crisis in the early 1970’s. The Watergate crisis started in June of 1972, when the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters was broke into by members of Nixon’s re-election committee. The press took this breaking news and began to dig deeper into what the Whitehouse (President Nixon) was hiding. Over the next two years heavy investigations into the Watergate incident revealed that President Nixon did, in fact, ordered a cover-up to keep the incident under control. Fearing impeachment, President Nixon resigned his presidency in August 1974, leaving Vice President Gerald Ford as the new president. Although Ford’s first act as president, granting a full pardon to Nixon, caused heavy controversy in the political and legal sectors; his decision was within his constitutional rights as president and in the best interest of the Americans public. Immediately following Ford’s pardon of Nixon critics, such as Philip Kurland, Edwin Firmage, and R. Collin Mangrum began to protest that Ford did not have the constitutional right to “issue a pre-trail pardon.”1 Kurland was believed that a pardon was meant to lessen the harshness of punishment for the accused; however, that is only the case if the judicial system worked.2 Firmage and Mangrum believed that the framers of our constitution did not...
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...Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, once stated, “Let us move from the era of confrontation to the era of negotiation” he meant this and he reflected it in his presidency (qtd. in Bondi 236). Nixon was the first U.S. president to engage in foreign affairs with the most powerful communist countries, China and the Soviet Union. He negotiated an end to the Vietnam War and made a breakthrough with the SALT agreement with the Soviet Union. Towards the beginning of his second term he ruined his career with a scandal known as Watergate. All of the foreign policy negotiations and accomplishments that Nixon made in his five years of office was, unfortunately, masked by Watergate. When Richard Nixon took office in 1969, The United...
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...Richard Nixon Checkers Speech On September 23, 1952 Richard Milhous Nixon sat down to address the largest television audience ever amassed by a politician this was no ordinary political speech. Nixon’s future in politics was on the line. In one speech Nixon had the daunting task of not only clearing his name of the allegation that he had received illegal campaign funds, but he also had to present himself as a viable asset to the Republican ticket. Nixon bared his heart to the American people, and in turn was applauded for his honesty and good character. Nixon’s speech was met with nearly unanimous acceptance and praise. But, audience acceptance alone is not what makes a speech unforgettable or worth writing about. Good speech analysis involves evaluating the speaker, audience and environment surrounding a speech. Before Nixon’s speech can be analyzed there must be a clear understanding of the events leading up to his speech. After only six years in politics as the California state Governor, Richard Nixon was chosen by Dwight Eisenhower as his running-mate in the Presidential election. Being only 39-years old and having relatively no political experience it was an honor for Nixon to be chosen. The main issues being debated by the presidential and vice-presidential hopefuls were the Korean War, communism and corruption. Nixon focused most heavily on addressing the issue of communism because of his contributions in exposing...
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...Richard Nixon was previously a senator and representative from California who sought to capture presidency two times, losing his first while winning his second time. He was set to establish new laws and goals to help strengthen the nation. Through the years Nixon had made himself into such a respected president, yet it was his own actions that later backfired on his future as president. Though Nixon was an outstanding president who accomplished numerous goals, it took one mistake to corrupt Nixon’s presidency. Richard Nixon was the president of the United States, meaning he is someone who has to live up to greater expectations, and also expect that he was valuable to the nation. Before presidency, Nixon had served in the Navy during...
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...Richard Nixon the 37th U.S. President was involved in one of the most controversial issues that the United States has ever seen. Nixon's role in the Watergate Scandal definitely warranted his impeachment. The Watergate Scandal remains well known throughout history today. This problem led toward Nixon resigning only two years in his 2nd term. Did President Nixon make the right choices? Can anybody truly trust the government after a situation like this?. Many Historians believe this altered the course of history and so we can't never truly trust the Government again. Although others believe that Nixon did not make the best decision; but, this should not alter the way the people view our Government. On June 18, 1972, a story about a robbery...
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...John F. Kennedy vs. Richard Nixon Sarah 6/29/15 HIWD 375-B01 Paper The Vietnam War was a war of change. It took America into a new frontier. With President John F. Kennedy pushing to end communism, Vietnam looked like the ideal place to accomplish his goals. Even though the war pushed on after his death, President Nixon sought to put an end to the war and bring American troops home. Even though these presidents had very differing opinions of the war, the Vietnam War raged on, changing America politically, culturally, and socially. Before the Vietnam War broke out, Kennedy and Nixon both had military backgrounds. Kennedy was in the United States Navy from 1941-1945. “On August 2, 1943 [during World War 2], as PT 109 was running silent to avoid detection it was struck by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri.” This devastating accident resulted in Kennedy saving his men and then receiving many metals and honors for this heroic act. This occurrence changed Kennedy for life. Nixon as well was in the United States Navy from 1942-1946. Nixon saw no combat during his time in the navy however he was officer in charge of the Combat Air Transport Command at Guadalcanal in the Solomon’s and then at Green Island. Nixon became a Lieutenant Commander which set the stage for his future career as President. These two men had very different experience at war which contributed to the way they viewed war and responded to it. This military history in each of these men’s lives, proved vital...
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...Richard M. Nixon is the 37th book in the American Presidents series. This book was written by Elizabeth Drew. The book talks about Nixon, of his life and presidency. The book is very factual with evidence and stories about why Nixon was the way he was. To be the President of the United State,s it is very challenging and hard and Elizabeth Drew jumped right into explaining some of those but we are going to talk specifically about Richard Nixon. Elizabeth Drew thesis focused much on how Nixon was not fit to be president. The first paragraph in her introduction states, “Richards Milhous Nixon was an improbable president. He didn't particularly like people. He lacked charm or humor or joy. Socially awkward and an introvert, he had few friends...
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...The resignation of Richard Nixon had a very detrimental affect on the American People while distorting the image of the Republican party. At this time there was the environmentalist movement, women's suffrage, minorities fighting for equal rights, and the Watergate Scandal. For years to come after this the American people would have have trust issues with the government and the republican party as the next elected president after Nixon was Jimmy Carter who was a democrat. In (Document C) it says “ The impact of such an ordeal would be felt throughout the world, and it would have its effect on the lives of all Americans for many years to come.” It also says “Impeachment of a President is a remedy of last resort; it is the most solemn act of...
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...about Nixon’s childhood. You will learn how Nixon became president, and some of his accomplishments. Speaking of Nixon, did you know that his middle name was Milhous? So let's get started, hope you like what's next. The day was Thursday January 9 1913 in California when life gave way to Richard Milhous Nixon. His father was francis Nixon and his mother was Hannah Nixon. Nixon lived on a ranch in Yorba Linda California. After living at the lemon farm, Nixon wanted to do more in life, not just live at a lemon farm. Growing up, Nixon had 4 other brothers; Harold, Francis, Arthur and Edward. Next, Nixon served in WWII. After that, he went to Duke University of Law. As an adult, he worked for the federal government after he was Vice President. I...
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...Nixon and Agamemnon Richard Nixon and Agamemnon have an interesting parallel that would not be visible at first glance. Both were beloved leaders initially. Both made an awful mistake which did significant damage to their group. Richard Nixon, an American president during the late 1960s to early 1970s, was the first American President ever impeached. His impeachment did great damage to the republicans, and nearly got him indicted. Agamemnon had taken a girl, and though he was offered a ransom, held her until a plague forced him to let her go. He then proceeded to take the strongest, greatest Achaean warriors’ “mead of honour” (term first used on pg.15, Iliad), which meant that Achilles, son of Peleus, was aggrieved and angered with him who...
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...In January 1973 the five burglars went on trial. Two of the men, G. Gordon Liddy and James W. McCord were former aides to President Nixon and this connection invited more questions. The trial lasted for weeks and the accused were convicted by a jury. The presiding judge John Sirica did not think all of the facts in the case that had been presented and urged the convicted to cooperate with the upcoming Senate select committee. A month later the Senate voted to create a select committee to investigate the reelection campaign activities related to the 1972 presidential election. Senator Sam Ervin of North Carolina was appointed to head the committee. He was chosen because he was the constitutional expert in the Senate and had a spotless reputation. If in fact the Nixon campaign had attempted to tamper with the outcome of the election through illegal activities, then the legitimacy of the election was at stake. They started issuing subpoenas and gathering information before hearings started. At the same time, Woodward and Bernstein were also digging into this story and raising questions in the Washington Post....
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...Richard Nixon became president at an interesting time in U.S. history. Not only was the Vietnam War in full motion, but the U.S. and USSR were in the midst of the Cold War. Any Statesman would find it difficult to balance the challenges of the late 60’s, but Nixon wasn’t like ordinary statesmen, he had the ability to deal with what he inherited. He approached foreign policy through detente and linkage. His foreign policy measures would eventually attempt to ease strained relations and connect political with military issues. Relations between the U.S. and USSR were strained during the beginning of Nixon’s presidency but not due to a lack of attempts on his part. The strategies that the U.S. used toward the Soviet Union had to be reassessed due...
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