President Richard M. Nixon

Foreign Policy: The Nixon Doctrine The “Nixon Doctrine” stated that the U.S. would no longer provide direct military protection in Asia. Remember…the Vietnam War had not ended yet. Nixon promised “peace with honor” in Vietnam in his campaign. Nixon called for Vietnamization of the war – a take over of the ground fighting by South Vietnamese soldiers.

Foreign Policy: Détente President Nixon and his national security advisor Henry Kissinger shaped a policy called détente which means to relax or ease tensions. The idea was to bring about a “warming” in the Cold War. Its goal was to prevent open conflict between the U.S. and communist nations.

A New Policy Toward China President Nixon stunned Americans when he accepted an invitation to visit China in 1972. (No diplomatic relations since the Communists took control in 1949.) After more than 20 years of hostility, Nixon and Chinese leaders opened the door to normal diplomatic relations. Nixon’s visit also cleared the way for economic and cultural exchanges – U.S. manufacturers would now have a new market for their products.

A New Policy toward the Soviet Union In May 1972, President Nixon visited the Soviet Union. He was the first president since World War II to make such a journey. While in Moscow, Nixon opened the Strategic Arms Limitations Talks (SALT). These talks led to the SALT agreement which set limits on the number of defensive missile sites and missiles each nation could keep.

President Nixon: Domestic Policy Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): In 1970, OSHA was created to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for all working Americans. OSHA assists states in providing research, information, education, and training in the field of job safety and health. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) & the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): The EPA was also established in 1970 to coordinate federal programs to combat pollution and protect the environment. The DEA enforced federal drug laws and conducted investigations of illegal drugs overseas.

President Nixon: Domestic Policy Clean Air Act (1970): a major comprehensive federal law addressing topics related to air pollution. It was amended (changed) in 1990 address problems such as acid rain, ground level ozone, ozone depletion, and air toxins. New Federalism: Nixon wanted to reduce the role of the federal government and turn over more activities to the states. He also tried to reduce involvement of the federal government in social welfare programs.

President Nixon: Domestic Policy 26th Amendment: In 1971, this amendment extended the right to vote to people ages 18 and older. By lowering the voting age from 21 to 18, almost 12 million new voters were able to vote on election day! Curbing Inflation: The Vietnam War had triggered inflation (the general rise in prices). Nixon promised to end inflation and balance the budget. Nixon implemented a 90-day wage-price freeze in August 1971. He was the first president to do so.

President Nixon: The Watergate Scandal In 1972, President Nixon won re-election. He was swept to victory, carrying the largest popular majority in U.S. history. Less than two years later, Nixon became the first president to resign from office! What happened? On June 17, 1972, there was an illegal break-in at the Watergate Complex in Washington D.C. to wiretap phones and install other surveillance equipment in the Democratic Party headquarters. Who? The Committee to Reelect the President (CREEP), acting with the knowledge of several high level Nixon advisors turned out to be the “burglars”.

Why? To secure information to undermine the Democratic campaign against President Nixon. The Cover Up: Police captured the “burglars” who had evidence connecting them to the White House. Nixon did not know about the plan until after, but he ordered the cover up of the plan (crime under a federal offense).

The Investigation: Reporters from the Washington Post probed into the case. In 1973, the Senate established a committee to look into “illegal, improper, and unethical activities” during the 1972 election. For more than a year, the Senate committee came closer and closer to implicating the president. The Tapes: In 1973, the Senate Committee learned that the White House kept tape recordings of key conversations between Nixon and his top aides. Nixon refused to turn over the tapes. Committee hearings were on TV (millions tuned in)

Nixon’s resignation: The Supreme Court ordered Nixon to turn over the tapes (there was an 18 ½ minute “gap” that had been erased). Based on the evidence, the House committee began voting on articles to impeach the president. To avoid impeachment, Nixon resigned August 9, 1974-- the first president to do so. On that day, Gerald Ford took the oath of office – becoming the first nonelected president. Significance of Watergate: Nixon’s advisors were sentenced to prison. The incident showed, according to President Ford, how the “constitution works.” The system of checks and balances stopped Nixon from putting the presidency about the law. Watergate started a decline in the public’s trust in government Nixon was pardoned by President Ford.

President Ford Pardons Richard Nixon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM9dGr8ArR0&feature=related start at 8 minutes,40 seconds What does a presidential pardon mean? The President gets to "forgive" people from their crimes, or let them escape the rest of their criminal sentences.  In other words, the president can let criminals out of jail and release criminals from their judicial sentences. To be exact, in the United States, the President has the ability to pardon people only for federal crimes. This means that if someone is found guilty of breaking a federal law- like securities law or tax law- the president can pardon that person. If someone broke a state law, on the other hand, only the governor can pardon the criminal.

President Ford Pardons Richard Nixon Why Do We Have Presidential Pardons? Article II of the Constitution gives the president power to pardon people for committing crimes. Article II gives the president this power in order to create an opportunity for the president to correct errors made by judges. People can apply for presidential pardons, and requests may be accepted or denied. In most cases, the Justice Department suggests convicted criminals wait at least five years before applying for a Presidential Pardon. These pardons can be made at any time, sometimes even before the criminal has served a single day in jail. Even if a criminal is pardoned, though, this doesn't mean the criminal is now considered to be innocent of the crime. A pardon just means you don't have to submit to the rest of your punishment. Pardoned criminals still have a crime on their records.