Description
Richard Nixon served as Vice-President of the United States from 1953 to 1961, and as President from 1969 to 1974. He was the only person to be elected twice to both the Presidency and Vice Presidency. In 1969 Americans had joined together in pride over the lunar landing and Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon.
Yet Nixon’s personality may have played a part in his eventual demise. He believed the United States faced grave dangers from the radicals and dissidents who were challenging his policies, and he came to view any challenge as a “threat to national security.” As a result, he created a climate in which he and those who served him could justify almost any tactics to stifle dissent and undermine the opposition. He has been described as being a devious, secretive, and embittered man whose White House became a series of covert activities. On August 9, 1974, Richard Nixon became the first chief executive in American History to resign, because of his role in the Watergate scandal.
Some Americans viewed this as an indication that the system worked. They were proud of the way the US political system had weathered the crisis and peacefully transferred power. Others worried about the further erosion of popular trust and belief in their government. Regardless, when he left office the nation remembered an administration that had been discredited by the Agnew and Watergate scandals. Watergate has come to define Nixon’s presidency.
After you have completed your readings post your response to only One of the following questions:
- Evaluate Richard Nixon’s presidency. Aside from Watergate, should he be considered a good president?
- In his 1973 book The Imperial Presidency, Arthur J. Schlesinger raised the argument that the Presidency has been evolving to the point that it was out of control, and was exceeding its constitutional limits. Do you agree or disagree with his arguments?
Directly and completely answer at least ONE question. Please make sure that you clearly indicate which question you have chosen to discuss. Clearly and accurately explain your answer based on factual information contained in the assigned readings.
Part 2: respond to a peer in 3-4 sentences explaining your agreement or disagreement. see below
The Watergate scandal stained Nixon’s career in what could have been making him one of the most successful presidents. He introduced the environment protection act, eliminated the practice of segregation and supported the free policy for the native Americans, reduced the voting age from 21 to the 18, and a revenue-sharing program that restored a measure of balance between the federal and state governments. On foreign policy, President Nixon reduced the tension between the US and Russia, and diplomacy ceasefire negotiations between Arabs and Israel. These facts shed positive light on President Nixon being one of most successful presidents in history.
