Presidency of Richard Nixon

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The presidency of Richard Nixon began on January 20, 1969, when Richard Nixon was inaugurated as the 37th president of the United States, and ended on August 9, 1974, when he resigned from office, the first and only president to do so. Nixon, a member of the Republican Party, previously served as a United States Senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Domestic Policy

Nixon's domestic policies included the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the passage of significant environmental legislation such as the Clean Air Act and the Endangered Species Act. He also implemented the policy of New Federalism, which aimed to reduce the power of the federal government and return certain powers to the states.

Nixon's administration faced significant economic challenges, including stagflation, a combination of high inflation and unemployment. In response, Nixon implemented wage and price controls and took the United States off the gold standard, leading to the creation of the fiat currency system.

Foreign Policy

Nixon's foreign policy, known as the Nixon Doctrine, emphasized the importance of allies taking care of their own military defense. His administration is best known for its efforts to improve relations with the People's Republic of China and the Soviet Union. In 1972, Nixon made a historic visit to China, leading to the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries. This visit is often referred to as the Nixon's China visit.

Nixon also pursued a policy of détente with the Soviet Union, leading to the signing of the SALT I treaty, which aimed to limit the number of nuclear weapons held by the two superpowers.

Watergate Scandal

The Watergate scandal was a major political scandal that occurred during Nixon's second term. It began with the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex and the subsequent cover-up by members of the Nixon administration. The scandal led to the discovery of multiple abuses of power by the Nixon administration, resulting in the resignation of several high-ranking officials and the initiation of impeachment proceedings against Nixon.

Facing near-certain impeachment and removal from office, Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974. He was succeeded by Vice President Gerald Ford, who later granted Nixon a full pardon for any crimes he may have committed while in office.

Legacy

Nixon's presidency is often remembered for its significant achievements in foreign policy and environmental regulation, as well as for the Watergate scandal, which led to a loss of trust in the American government. Despite his resignation, Nixon's impact on American politics and international relations remains a subject of study and debate.

Related Pages

• Richard Nixon
• Watergate scandal
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Nixon Doctrine
• Gerald Ford
• Spiro Agnew
• New Federalism
• Détente
• Strategic Arms Limitation Talks