Corruption Of Richard Nixon

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Megan Bull Research Paper Thomas March 6, 2014 The Corruption of Richard Nixon: Quaker Boy to Resigned President Richard Nixon, the 37th president of the United States, was raised in a farmhouse in Yorba Linda, California. Born January 9th, 1913. He was raised in a Quaker family that ran a lemon farm. After moving to Whittier, Nixon attended Whittier High School, and showed himself to be an excellent student. He excelled in history and civics. After completing high school Nixon was offered opportunities to apply for scholarships at institutions such as Harvard and Yale, but decided to attend a small Quaker college, Whittier College, and be closer to home. After losing his second brother Nixon was said to have thrown himself into his studies as if “compensating for his brother’s death.” (Peterson, 2005, p. 1). Nixon graduated Whittier College second in his class. He then received a scholarship to Duke University School of Law. While living there he lived a very basic life, staying in small rented rooms and showering in the men’s room. He finished at Duke third in a class of 44 in 1937. In December 1941 Nixon took a job at the Office of Price Administration working in the tire rationing division, he choose this job because it put him in Washington and gave him a great opportunity to learn about the government. After working, disappointedly, in this job he decided to join the Navy saying he felt obligated to serve his country. Nixon’s parents did not approve of his decision due to their beliefs as Quakers. When discharged from the Navy in 1946 Nixon decided to run for political office in California. This is where Nixon got his start in the world of politics. Nixon’s childhood shows that he was a good, selfless, hardworking man... ... middle of paper ... ...ection Nixon went on to serve as Vice President for eight years, traveling abroad as a national ambassador. Nixon won the Republican nomination for the upcoming presidential election and competed against John F. Kennedy. Nixon lost the election to Kennedy and went back to California to run for Governor in 1962. He ran against Pat Brown and ended up losing the election. Nixon’s political career took a break for awhile after his lose for Governor. After a break from politics Nixon announced that he was going to run for president in 1968, he selected Spiro Agnew the Governor of Maryland for his running mate. In his campaign Nixon promised to end the Vietnam War that had been going on for 11 years. His promised and familiarity to the people helped him to win the election against Hubert Humphrey and by a narrow margin became the President of the United States.

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