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Watergate scandal
Richard nixon's involvement in watergate
Watergate scandal
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The 37th President, Richard Milhous Nixon, marred the reputation of not only himself, but of every president after him. The Watergate Scandal was a major upheaval in the trust of a president. When it came to electing officials, President Nixon wasn't the best; he often elected corrupt officials. The Cambodian Campaign, which was ordered by Nixon, prolonged America's involvement in the Vietnam War, which was driven by heavy anti-communist views, not with the best interest of America in mind.. Using evidence from his life, education, political career, and the mistakes of his presidency, we will determine whether or not his presidency was positive or negative.
On January 9, 1913, on a little lemon ranch in Yorba Linda, California, Francis Nixon and Hannah Nixon gave birth to Richard Nixon. The eventual President Nixon was the second of five brothers whose early death of Harold and Arthur Nixon, would impact is life greatly in later years. After his father's lemon farm eventual failure in 1922, forcing them to move to Whittier, California, his family opened and worked at a gas station to get by.(nixonlibrary.gov).
Richard Nixon performed well in Whittier elementary school, but due to his brother Harold being diagnosed with tuberculosis, Nixon's parents sent him to Fullerton High School instead of Whittier High School(Black). His education would continue on to Whittier College, once again to Harold being ill with tuberculosis, which he helped take care of and work at the family gas station. Nixon's field of study would include student government, drama, and football (nixonlibrary.gov). He would graduate from Whittier in 1934 and go on to receive a full scholarship to Duke University of Law. Nixon would go on to graduate third in hi...
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...in was biased against Nixon, but I didn't use this book for the opinion, I needed a book with some factual evidence, which is what it provided.
President Nixon had a few things going for him, including his diplomacy and the funding of the space program. This is overshadowed by his mistakes and ineptitude. I believe that Nixon was all around a bad president. His escalation of the Vietnam War, his poorly chosen officials, and the Watergate Scandal all added up to the American people losing their trust in the presidency. This was the flaw that broke his presidency in my eyes.
Works Cited
Black, Conrad. Richard M. Nixon: A Life in Full. New York: PublicAffairs, 2007. Print.
Gitlin, Todd. The Sixties: Years of Hope, Days of Rage. Toronto: Bantam, 1987. Print.
"Nixon Presidential Library & Museum." Nixon Presidential Library & Museum. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2014.
The "Checkers Speech" saved Nixon's career, what was left of it.. Eisenhower kept him on the ticket just because of his looks and he went on to serve eight years as Vice President. He wanted to win by a lot. In 1960 Nixon ran for President, losing a close race to John F. Kennedy. The smell of hope. He was paranoid. Two years later he lost a bitter race for Governor of California to Pat Brown and retired from politics, telling the press, "There is always next year. He was paranoid.
The documentary entitled, Watergate Plus 30: Shadow of History, documents the political decisions and environment within the Nixon Administration from 1969-1974. The documentary specifically details and describes the environment and culture in which the Watergate scandal could occur and the events and abuses of power that lead to its occurrence. Setting the tone and the political climate of the Nixon Administration was the Vietnam War; making him a wartime President, a war that he inherited from his predecessor. The Vietnam War faced a lot of opposition from the general public, with massive protests and political demonstrations by the younger generations and overall general public. Nixon’s presidency was surrounded by this climate amidst the
President Clinton and President Nixon both associated themselves with criminal actions. Both the presidents misled the American public, causing personal as well as professional problems. For instance, President Clinton released a false statement about his affair with Monika Lewinsky, causing a lengthy and costly trial, and greatly affecting his presidential career. Also, President Nixon caused a scandal associated with Watergate, which ended up with his leaving the office. Even though they caused trouble for themselves and others around them, Clinton and Nixon did influence the American economy to a great degree. Clinton practically saved the economy and lowered the US inflation rate, through gradual and advocated plans of reform. Moreover, Nixon was the first to go into China territory for negotiations. Ultimately, they have attracted the media with their antics, making themselves? targets of controversy and embarrassment. In fact, President Clinton and Nixon have become the subjects of public mockery and have been an embarrassment to the American people in the office of the President. Moreover, both men have been involved in humiliating situations.
Some historians believe that this changed the course of history, and that we can never truly trust the government again. While others believe that Nixon didn’t make the right decisions, this should not change the way the people look at our government. The government and the people need to maintain strong trust. The opposing argument believes that Richard Nixon made a turning point in history that allowed the people to turn against the government. Nobody can trust a government where the president himself does something against the law.
It is clear that while political scandal, primarily the 1974 Watergate scandal, played a large role in the rapidly declining confidence in government between 1968 and 1980, it is not the sole or even the dominant factor. The Watergate scandal only impacted on the Nixon era, and subsequently lead to measures that should have prevented further distrust in the government. Instead, the role played by the four presidents who held office in those years was the main reason behind the decline in confidence. The role of the presidents and their White House administrations encompassed political scandals, and also clearly influenced other factors such as the role
The President deserved the devotion showed to him by Colson because he had experience in the government. Beyond that, President Nixon always had good intentions, even in all the things that led to his resignation. This was a reason Colson should have been devoted to him. Lastly, Nixon was a friend of Colson, no matter how professional their friendship was.
Super, John C., ed. “Nixon’s Resignation and Pardon.” Salem Press. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2014. .
Ronald Reagan was born on February 6, 1911 in Tampico, Illinois to John and Nellie Reagan, who owned a business in Dixon, Illinois. His mother taught him how to pray as they attended a Disciples of Christ church and his family taught him the importance of small-town values, which included a strong work ethic, the importance of education and tolerance, helping your neighbor and being committed to God and family (Ronald Reagan Foundation, n.d.). He attended Eurek...
Richard Milhouse Nixon was born of a Quaker family on January 9,1913 in Yorba Linda, California. He graduated second in his class from local Whittier College in 1934 and later graduated third in his class from Duke University Law School. From there Nixon joined a law firm, and then briefly worked for the tire-rationing section of the Office of Price Administration, in Washington, D.C. Eight months into World War II, he enlisted in the Navy and moved to the Pacific to become a supply ...
At first, he was a strong supporter of the Vietnam War but then became a strong opponent. The Department of Defense continued to lie to the people about the hype about the war. The government continued to say that the war was under control. The Pentagon Papers already have statistics on the Vietnam War. As soon as Nixon saw the paper, he went to his Attorney General right away to stop the printing of the New York Times newspaper. Daniel Ellsberg knew that he would get arrested for making copies of the papers.
“The Watergate Files”. The Ford Library. 1995. The Gerald Ford Library and Museum. 5 May
...ve a relationship with Christ yet. The book was educational concerning the Watergate Scandal, although it does not explain explicitly what happened it is implied, but more importantly it is educational concerning Jesus Christ. In the end that is the only person that matters. With this book Colson has reached more people than he could have personally, and through that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been spread. Colson had said that his goal as a politician was to make the country a better place, and for peace to rule the land. Ultimately this is what he accomplished…just in a much different way and aided by a much bigger ally.
Nixon showed hubris, which is also known as egotistical behavior or exhibiting too much pride. He thought that he deserved to be reelected as president, even if in order for this to occur he had to behave in an unethical manner. The Watergate Scandal proved that Nixon was confident in his ability to pull off a major crime, although he was caught. This event also shows prideful behavior because he thought he could control the law and the election, even if he wasn’t the rightful winner.
So how does this former leader of the free world compare to Macbeth? Before they achieved their positions of power to govern or rule all, both Nixon and Macbeth spent many years being heavily respected amongst their peers. Nixon spent many years as a respected congressman and Macbeth as a soldier and Thane of Glamis. They used the way people viewed them to their advantage to gain a position of power. Nixon used his experience to get him elected president. Macbeth was made Thane of Cawdor and eventually king. Once they both ascended to their respected roles they did whatever it took to protect themselves from any possible threats. Nixon cheated by trying to steal opponents campaign secrets thus giving him an unfair advantage.