Nixon Objective: Analyze the Presidency and the downfall of Nixon

Nixon Upon receiving the presidency in 1969, Nixon immediately sought certain goals: –Turn America in a more conservative direction –Reverse LBJ’s liberal policies –Restore America’s prestige on the world stage—badly hit by Vietnam

Nixon Admittedly, Nixon preferred world affairs to domestic policy. “I’ve always thought this country could run itself domestically without a president.”

Realpolitik Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger adopted a new foreign policy. Realpolitik: based solely on consideration of power, not ideals or moral principles.

Realpolitik If a country was weak, it was more practical to ignore that country, even if it was Communist. A departure from the former confrontational policy of containment.

Realpolitik Also, Nixon adopted a more flexible approach in dealing with communist nations. Détente: aimed at easing Cold War tensions.

China Since 1949, the U.S. had not formally recognized the Chinese Communist government. In 1971, Nixon announced he would visit China to improve relations between the two countries.

China The visit had huge symbolic value, and was a huge success with the American people.

China The two nations agreed that neither would try to dominate the Pacific, they would participate in scientific and cultural exchanges, and settle disputes peacefully.

Moscow In 1972, Nixon traveled to Moscow, the first U.S. president to visit the Soviet Union.

Moscow Nixon and Brezhnev signed the SALT I Treaty, which limited the number of various missiles to 1972 levels.

Moscow The foreign policy triumphs with China and the Soviet Union helped reelect Nixon in 1972.

Downfall By 1972, the executive branch was the most powerful branch of government. The Great Depression, WWII, and the Cold War all led to greater presidential power.

Downfall Nixon gave little thought to constitutional checks and balances. “A president must not be one of the crowd.”

Downfall Nixon distanced himself from Congress, and confided in a small, loyal group of advisers. White House chief of staff H.R. Haldeman Chief domestic advisor John Ehrlichman Attorney general John Mitchell

Downfall Nixon and his men felt they were somehow above the law.

Watergate At 2:30 am, on June 17, 1972, a guard at the Watergate hotel caught five men breaking into the headquarters of the Democratic Party.

Watergate The burglars planned to photograph Democrat Party documents and wiretap office telephones.

Cover-Up The burglary was soon linked to Nixon’s advisors. The cover-up quickly began. White House workers shredded incriminating documents.

Cover-Up Nixon urged the FBI to stop investigating the burglary on the grounds of national security. $450,000 were given to the burglars to buy their silence.

Cover-Up At first, the cover-up worked. Nixon easily defeated George McGovern in the election of 1972.

Cover-Up In January 1973, the trial of the burglars began. A letter was sent to the judge that the Nixon administration had been involved in the break-in.

Cover-Up Nixon’s advisors resigned or were fired. Nixon went on TV and denied any cover- up.

Cover-Up By May 1973, the Senate began its own investigation of Watergate. Millions of Americans watched as the “president’s men” testified one after another.

Cover-Up “What did the president know and when did he know it?” Source: Nixon had taped all of his presidential conversations.

Cover-Up A year-long battle for the “Nixon tapes” followed. Nixon refused to reveal the tapes.

Cover-Up Also, Vice President Spiro Agnew resigns after it is revealed he accepted bribes as Governor of Maryland, and as V.P. Gerald Ford becomes new V.P.

Resignation By March 1974, seven presidential aides were indicted on charges of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and perjury.

Resignation Even without the tapes, Congress had enough evidence to impeach Nixon. Charges of obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress. Nixon: “I am not a crook.”

Resignation Finally, a tape was released, revealing that Nixon knew about the burglary, and helped plan the cover-up.

Resignation On August 8, 1974, before he could be impeached, Nixon resigned. Gerald Ford became the 38 th president.

Legacy 25 members of the Nixon Administration served prison terms for their crimes. After Vietnam and Watergate, the public developed a cynicism about government that still exists today.