Richard Nixon 37 th President Republican 1969 1974

• • Richard Nixon 37 th President Republican 1969 -1974 Vice President 19531961 Lost 1960 Presidential Election to JFK Won Presidential Elections in 1968 +1972 Promised to end Vietnam War “Peace with Honor” and bring “law and order” back for the “Silent Majority” Middle Class Americans

The 70’s Economy • Inflation-increase in prices, reducing the ability to buy. • OPEC- these oil producing nations placed an embargo on oil to US for support of its ally Israel • Higher prices led to less buying, leading to job losses.

Nixon and The Cold War • Eases tensions of the Cold War through a policy of Détente • Along w/ his Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, he decides to visit China + USSR

Nixon in China • In February 1972 Nixon becomes the first US President to visit China • He meets with Mao Zedong and the nations agree to scientific and cultural exchanges

Nixon visits USSR • 1972 Visits USSR its leader Leonid Brezhnev • The result of the visit was a treaty limiting the number of Nuclear weapons each nation would produce • SALT I Treaty-Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty

WATERGATE SCANDAL • 1968 election he defeated LBJ’s Vice President Hubert Humphrey • 1972 election he defeated South Dakota Senator George Mc. Govern 520 to 17 electoral votes, 62% popular vote

Dirty Tricks • The Committee to Reelect the President (CREEP) was looking for “dirt” on Mc. Govern and broke into the Democratic National headquarters in the Watergate Towers Complex • While they were planting their “bugs” a security guard discovered them.

The Crime • Creep members informed Nixon of the break in and arrests. • Nixon ordered the committee to deny association with the “burglars” which is a federal crime. • Nixon and his staff then tried to “cover up the cover up”

The Investigation • Two journalists from The Washington Post Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein had found links to Nixon and the break in.

The Cover Up • Nixon had a tape machine set up in the oval office. • When the Supreme Court asks for these tapes as part of the governments investigation Nixon refused on the grounds of Executive Privilege. • The Supreme Court ordered Nixon to turn over tapes. US v. Nixon

Nixon’s Demise • When Nixon finally turned over the tapes to the House of Representatives 18 ½ minutes had been “accidentally” erased. • Before the House could vote to impeach Nixon resigned

August 9, 1974 • On national television Nixon informs the nation that he is resigning from the Presidency. • The first and only to do so.

Nixon Leaving White House

Results/Effects of Watergate • People will have less trust in government and politicians. • It proved the nation is a nation of laws not individuals. • Even the President must follow the law.

The Accidental President? • Gerald Ford becomes 38 th President of the United States

1994 Nixon Dies at age 81