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Nixon

Objective: Analyze the Presidency and the downfall of Nixon. 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

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Nixon

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  1. Objective: Analyze the Presidency and the downfall of Nixon Nixon

  2. 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

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

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

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

  7. 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.

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

  9. 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.

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

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

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

  13. 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.

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

  15. 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

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

  17. 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.

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

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

  20. 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.

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

  22. 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.

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

  24. 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.

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

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

  27. 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.

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

  29. 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.”

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

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

  32. 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.

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