Richard Milhous Nixon

1. Richard Milhous Nixon

2. Vietnam • Nixon inherited the issue of Vietnam from LBJ. His promise to the American people was to pull all American troops out. This plan was called “Vietnamization” – our “peace with honor” plan to pull our troops out slowly so that the South Vietnamese troops could pick up the slack, eventually leading to only South Vietnamese troops fighting there.

3. Richard nixon • Then he sent troops in to Cambodia, where he heard North Vietnamese were hiding. This escalated the war—and enraged the American public.

4. Kent State • May 4, 1970, students got violent protesting the US invasion of Cambodia. The National Guard opened fire and killed four and wounded 9. Nixon’s invasion of Cambodia had brought the violence home to America.

5. End of the War • Nixon did what he promised. By March of 1973, the last US soldier in Vietnam was pulled-out, but the peace did not last. • After the last American troop was out, the North Vietnamese launched a full-scale invasion of the South, toppling the capital at Saigon and ending the Vietnam civil war. The South surrendered. • Because of this war, Americans had a much more cautious outlook on foreign affairs and were more cynical toward government • Nixon helped Congress pass the War Powers Act of 1973, which said that a President needs to inform Congress within 48 hours before troops are sent in without a declaration of war – keep the people in the loop!

6. Richard nixon • At home, Nixon was more successful. His domestic program, called New Federalism, was aimed at restricting federal power, and sharing federal taxes with state and local governments.

7. Richard nixon • Nixon also successfully negotiated a relaxation in international tensions between the US, the USSR, and China called “détente.” He became the first President to visit the Soviet Union and China, making giant steps toward peace. NIXON AND BREZHNEV NIXON AND ENLAI

8. Richard nixon • Henry Kissinger, Nixon’s Secretary of State, was also extremely successful. His shuttle diplomacy helped settle international disputes—and as Secretary of State under Ford, he successfully represented the US in the cease-fire negotiations in Vietnam.

9. Richard nixon • Nixon’s downfall came when a break-in at the Democratic National Committee Headquarters in the Watergate Hotel by “plumbers” revealed political espionage and sabotage conducted by Nixon loyalists. Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein investigated the story.

10. Richard nixon • Investigators then found a taping system installed by Nixon throughout the White House—yet Nixon refused to turn over the tapes. Nixon resigned at 1974 under pressure of impeachment without ever claiming guilt in the Watergate scandal.