1. Nixon’s Legacy Thinking Skill: Explicitly assess the Nixon presidency
and draw conclusions as to his legacy
Essential Skill: C-3: Gather and organize information and data

2. Nixon (1968-1974) Background: Eisenhower’s VP in 1952
Lost 1960 election to JFK
Lost 1962 California governor’s race
“You won’t have Nixon to kick around anymore…”
1968 Nixon comeback
narrowly defeated Humphrey (D) for presidency
“Silent Majority,” southern strategy, return Republicans to power
I’m back!

3. Domestic Policy “New Federalism”
More state/local gov. control
Paradoxical expansion of federal government
OSHA, DEA, EPA, affirmative action & welfare programs
“Stagflation”
Unusual rise in unemployment and inflation
Vietnam War, foreign competition, 1973 OPEC oil embargo

4. Vacating US Embassy in Saigon (1975)
Vietnam…
“Vietnamization”
26th Amendment (1971)
Voting age 18
Pentagon Papers (1971)
Misled the public
Paris Peace Accords (1973)
1975 N invades S to unite
War Powers Resolution (1973)
Limited ability of President to deploy troops w/o war declaration
Vacating US Embassy in Saigon (1975)

5. China… Realpolitik worldview Ping Pong Diplomacy (1971)
National Security Advisor/Sec. of State Henry Kissinger
Ping Pong Diplomacy (1971)
Nixon’s visit (1972)
End Vietnam War, expand trade, frighten the USSR
Full diplomatic relations (1979)
Nixon and Mao (1972)

6. USSR… Détente easing Cold War tensions US/USSR cooperation
Pollution, space missions
Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I)
Froze # of ICBMs
Limited ABMs
Symbolic impact on arms race
Nixon and Brezhnev (1972)

7. 1972 Electoral Map

8. Watergate Burglary at Watergate Hotel, June 1972
Senate investigation and tapes
Impeachment charges imminent
Hindering investigation, abusing power of the presidency, ignoring subpoena for tapes
Nixon resigned August 9, before impeachment

9. Watergate Legacy The President was not above the law
System of checks & balances worked
Increasing distrust of government officials and “D.C insiders”
Disillusionment (Was justice served?)
Nixon’s farewell (1974)

10. Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein
Questions to Ponder
Was ‘Deep Throat’ a hero or traitor?
Should journalists utilize anonymous sources?
How did Watergate affect Americans’ perceptions of the Presidency?
Did President Ford do the right thing in pardoning Nixon?
Mark Felt #2 FBI agent revealed in 2005 as source “Deep Throat”
Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein