Richard Nixon

Introduction to Richard Nixon

Richard Nixon was the 37th president of the United States and was the only president to resign from office due to the Watergate scandal. He was born in California in 1913 and came from humble beginnings. He graduated from Whittier College and Duke University School where he excelled in academics. Following his graduation, Nixon started his career as a lawyer, but he found his true calling in politics.

Family and Military Service

Nixon married Thelma Catherine Ryan, popularly known as Patricia, and they had two daughters named Patricia and Julie. Nixon served in the Navy as lieutenant commander during World War II, where he gained valuable leadership skills that would shape his future endeavors.

Entry into Politics

Nixon started his political career as a member of the Republican Party and won a seat in the House of Representatives in 1946. He gained prominence as a member of the House Un-American Activities Committee, where he pursued Alger Hiss, a former State Department official accused of being a Soviet spy.

Rise to National Prominence

He won a Senate seat in 1950 and just two years later, General Dwight D. Eisenhower selected him as his vice-presidential running mate. Nixon became the Vice President of the United States in 1952 and was involved in several foreign policy initiatives. He gained more popularity after his infamous “Checkers” speech, where he defended himself against allegations of improper campaign funds.

Presidential Campaigns and Setbacks

Richard Nixon ran for president in 1960 but lost a controversial election to John F. Kennedy. He also ran for governor of California in 1962 but lost again. He announced his retirement from politics briefly before making a comeback in 1968 to win the presidency.

Nixon’s Presidency and Achievements

With a divided nation and social unrest on the horizon, reconciliation was the immediate goal of Nixon’s presidency. He successfully ended the war with Vietnam and maintained diplomatic trade relations with China and the Soviet Union.

Nixon was responsible for implementing revenue sharing, a policy aimed to redistribute federal funds to state and local governments with the focus on empowering local communities and addressing growing disparities across the country.

Nixon also created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Nixon’s historic trips to China and the Soviet Union led to groundbreaking treaties that limited strategic nuclear weapons.

The Watergate Scandal

However, his term was plagued by the Watergate scandal, which involved a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and led to the discovery of illegal activities by individuals associated with Nixon’s re-election campaign.

As the news of the scandal made headlines, evidence emerged which suggested that Nixon and his aides attempted to cover up their involvement. Although Nixon denied any wrongdoing, the leaked tape recordings of his private Oval Office conversations suggested otherwise.

Resignation and Aftermath

The scandal led to the arrest of several of his associates and the impeachment proceedings against him. Nixon resigned from office in 1974 and was succeeded by Gerald Ford.

Life After the Presidency

Following his resignation, Nixon attempted to rebuild his reputation by writing several books detailing his experiences, aiming to provide insights into his presidency and the events that unfolded during his tenure. During his later years, Nixon gained recognition as an elder statesman and contributed to national conversations through his writings and public appearances.

Legacy and Passing

Richard Nixon passed away in 1994 at the age of 81. Despite the controversies surrounding his presidency, his contributions to diplomacy, domestic policy, and global relations remain a significant part of his complex legacy.