Republican 1968-1972 1972-1974 (only President to resign from office) Richard Nixon Republican 1968-1972 1972-1974 (only President to resign from office)
Political Ad emphasized "law and order“ Too much crime in America champion of the “silent majority” Quiet Americans NOT protesting or demanding social change
Vice President Spiro Agnew had been Governor of Maryland Elected with Nixon -1968 & 1972 - tough law-and-order platform - frequently attacked opponents of the Vietnam War and liberals as being disloyal and un-American. Only Vice President to resign in disgrace.
Agnew resigned October 10, 1973 (Nixon will resign 10 months later) Widespread evidence of political corruption, including allegations that his practice of accepting bribes continued as Vice President. He pleaded no contest to federal income tax evasion in exchange for the dropping of charges of political corruption. He was fined $10,000, sentenced to 3 years probation, and disbarred by the Maryland court of appeals.
Watergate Details 5 slides June 1972 – just before the presidential election 5 burglars break in at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) Headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington. They had been paid by the President and his staff. Purpose of break-in: to find out the details the democrats were going to use against Nixon in the upcoming 1972 election and to wiretap their phones.
What happened Those 5 men were arrested. The police saw it as a regular crime, but political reporters felt there was more to it. Nixon’s re-election funds were found in the bank account of the 5 burglars How were these burglars and the Whitehouse connected? 1
The Investigation Investigated by the Washington Post: Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein These two young reporters kept following the evidence over the course of a year and wrote lots of news reports about what they were finding. Finally Congress decided to investigate Watergate. They called members of Nixon’s staff to testify and it was all televised. His staff showed that Nixon used his office – the CIA, the State Department, and other powers that he had to “cover up” his crime. Using government powers to cover-up a crime is illegal
Saturday Night “Massacre” Nixon fired several people one evening who would not following his directives to protect himself One staffer who testified to Congress told everyone that all Oval Office conversations were recorded. Congress told Nixon to turn over the tapes. He refused. When the Supreme Court finally forced him to turn over the tapes, 18 minutes of one tape had been blanked out – a mistake his secretary had made.
What happened to Nixon Republican leaders in Congress went to Nixon and told him he had to resign or be impeached. They had more than enough evidence to convict him. He maintained his innocence to the end. Nixon said “if the president does it, then it is not illegal”. Resignation Speech: August 1974
Reasons for Resignation He had lost his “political base” in Congress. Republicans no longer supported him. He was not a “quitter” but his resignation was in the interest of the country.
The Economy under this President 1972 1974 Unemployment 5.6 Debt or Surplus? Debt Nixon increased the national debt by spending more money than he took in
Promises Campaign Promises Promises He Kept Bring an honorable end to the Vietnam War Signed cease fire in ‘73 but bombed Cambodia without approval from Congress Bring peace and unity among nations Opened diplomatic relations with China and the Soviet Union (Russia) Fight Crime Began our national War on Drugs Reform the welfare system Attempted a reform bill that was rejected by Congress
Major Events Vietnam - draft, protests, social upheaval, distrust of government Women's Rights Movement 1974 Roe v. Wade (made abortion legal in the U.S.) Gay Rights - Stonewall Riots in June 1969. Israel-Arab War leads to a gas shortage in the United States. Oil embargo = supply cost of gas
Accomplishments at Home Ended the draft. The U.S. has not used the draft since Vietnam because of the social unrest it caused Created the Environmental Protection Agency - 1970 - Clean Air and Water Act - Occupation Safety and Health Administration
Accomplishments Abroad Began diplomacy with Peoples Republic of China. Ping Pong Diplomacy – opened them up for trade Nuclear Arms talks with Soviet Union Reduce amount of missiles in both countries Ended the Vietnam War 1975
How he is viewed today As a liar and a crook because of Watergate. Watergate will always overshadow any of his accomplishments.
How did he change the country Created a wide distrust in government, fueled generations of skepticism about political leaders. Distrust/Disgust/Distaste