Richard Nixon Richard Nixon

“Publicly, we say one thing….Actually, we do another.” -Richard Nixon

Richard NixonRichard Nixon President of the U.S. President of the U.S.

from 1969-1974.from 1969-1974. Vice President under Vice President under

Eisenhower from Eisenhower from 1953-1961.1953-1961.

Served in the Served in the Congress from 1946-Congress from 1946-1952.1952.

Only President to Only President to resign from office resign from office (after Watergate (after Watergate Scandal).Scandal).

Strict Republican and Strict Republican and Anti-Communist.Anti-Communist.

Nixon’s Nixon’s AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

Nixon’s Nixon’s AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

Henry KissingerHenry Kissinger National Security Advisor National Security Advisor

from 1969-1975, and from 1969-1975, and Secretary of State from Secretary of State from 1973-1977.1973-1977.

Key contributor to the Key contributor to the foreign policy decisions foreign policy decisions of the Nixon of the Nixon Administration.Administration.

Created the concept of Created the concept of “Shuttle Diplomacy.” “Shuttle Diplomacy.” This involved travel This involved travel between conflicting between conflicting nations to settle disputes.nations to settle disputes. It was best applied in the It was best applied in the Arab-Israeli conflict.Arab-Israeli conflict.

The Election of 1968The Election of 1968

The 1968 presidential election marked a shift to The 1968 presidential election marked a shift to the right in American politicsthe right in American politics. .

The 1960's began as an era of optimism but the The 1960's began as an era of optimism but the events of the decade led to public trust in the events of the decade led to public trust in the government and produced a backlash against government and produced a backlash against liberal movements and the Democratic party. liberal movements and the Democratic party.

The Election of 1968The Election of 1968

The “Silent Majority” were Americans who paid taxes, did not demonstrate, and desired a restoration of "law and

order.”

Nixon campaigned as a champion of the “Silent Majority"

The Southern Strategy

An important reason for Nixon’s victory An important reason for Nixon’s victory was the support he received in the was the support he received in the

SouthSouthThe effort to sway southern voters to the The effort to sway southern voters to the Republicans Republicans was known as the Southern was known as the Southern

StrategyStrategyNixon gained the South’s support by promising several things:Nixon gained the South’s support by promising several things:To oppose court-ordered busing of students to integrate To oppose court-ordered busing of students to integrate schoolsschoolsTo choose a vice-presidential candidate fr. the SouthTo choose a vice-presidential candidate fr. the SouthTo only appoint conservatives to federal courtsTo only appoint conservatives to federal courtsTo appoint a Southerner to the Supreme CourtTo appoint a Southerner to the Supreme Court

Since the Election of 1968, the South has Since the Election of 1968, the South has been a Republican stronghold in been a Republican stronghold in

electionselections

New Federalism Nixon’s domestic policies became Nixon’s domestic policies became

known as “New Federalism”known as “New Federalism” It called for eliminating JFK & LBJ It called for eliminating JFK & LBJ

social programs and giving more social programs and giving more control to state and local control to state and local governmentsgovernments

Nixon planned to return more power Nixon planned to return more power and more tax money to the states.and more tax money to the states.

Nixon sent a plan for block grants to Nixon sent a plan for block grants to Congress. Under this plan; Federal Congress. Under this plan; Federal Gov. would give the state or local Gov. would give the state or local gov money for projects & they can gov money for projects & they can spend it however they want. spend it however they want.

Nixon and Foreign Affairs

President Nixon President Nixon was hailed for his was hailed for his

foreign affairs foreign affairs savvysavvy One key reason for One key reason for

this was his this was his Secretary of State, Secretary of State,

Henry KissingerHenry Kissinger

Vietnam WarVietnam War

The biggest foreign policy issues The biggest foreign policy issues Nixon had to deal with during his Nixon had to deal with during his presidency was dealing with the presidency was dealing with the

Vietnam War Vietnam War

Ending the Vietnam WarEnding the Vietnam War Nixon’s main policy in Vietnam was the Nixon’s main policy in Vietnam was the

process of “Vietnamization.”process of “Vietnamization.” It began right after he took office in 1969.It began right after he took office in 1969. The process sought to save American lives The process sought to save American lives

and expenses through gradual withdrawal and expenses through gradual withdrawal of forces and support from the Vietnam of forces and support from the Vietnam war.war. It was the first troop withdrawal since It was the first troop withdrawal since President Johnson escalated troop President Johnson escalated troop presence. Withdrew 70,000 in 1972.presence. Withdrew 70,000 in 1972.

It also attempted to transfer military It also attempted to transfer military assumption to South Vietnam.assumption to South Vietnam. Vietnam advisors insisted that South Vietnam advisors insisted that South Vietnam could successfully defend Vietnam could successfully defend against the North Vietnamese.against the North Vietnamese.

Détente with Russia, China

President Nixon tours the Great Wall of ChinaPresident Nixon tours the Great Wall of China

One of Nixon’s foreign One of Nixon’s foreign affairs affairs goalgoals was s was

friendlier relations with friendlier relations with China and the Soviet China and the Soviet

UnionUnion

Nixon and Kissinger Nixon and Kissinger developed a foreign developed a foreign

affairs policy known as affairs policy known as détentedétente, which means , which means

cooperationcooperation

Nixon began to consider a reopening of relations, or “rapprochement,” with the PRC.Reasons for rapprochement:

Trade with China— huge marketMain reason: increase Sino-Soviet tension

As part of Détente; the US in 1971 agreed to allow the People’s Republic of China to take seat reserved for China at the United Nations.

Kissinger had secretly visited the People’s Republic of China in July, 1971 to discuss a possible Presidential visit

Nixon Goes to China 1972

Nixon opened U.S. relations with Nixon opened U.S. relations with China and became the first U.S. China and became the first U.S.

president to visit Chinapresident to visit China

Easing Tensions with the Easing Tensions with the Soviet UnionSoviet Union

Nixon hoped to improve relations with Nixon hoped to improve relations with China; his policy had another goal. China; his policy had another goal.

By becoming friendly with China; he By becoming friendly with China; he hoped to force the Soviet Union to be less hoped to force the Soviet Union to be less threateningthreatening..

Unlike previous administrations, Nixon Unlike previous administrations, Nixon and Kissinger hoped to negotiate for the and Kissinger hoped to negotiate for the mutual benefit of both the U.S.S.R. and mutual benefit of both the U.S.S.R. and the U.S. as opposed to demanding that the the U.S. as opposed to demanding that the U.S.S.R. give into U.S. demands.U.S.S.R. give into U.S. demands.

Strategic Arms Limitations Treaty or SALT I

Summit meeting between U.S. and Soviet Summit meeting between U.S. and Soviet Union when the two countries agreed to Union when the two countries agreed to

limit nuclear armslimit nuclear arms

Nixon also strengthened relations with Nixon also strengthened relations with the Soviet Union, including holding a the Soviet Union, including holding a

historic meeting -- SALThistoric meeting -- SALT

Détente with Russia

From 1972 to 1974, From 1972 to 1974, tensions between the U.S. tensions between the U.S.

and the Soviet Union and the Soviet Union easedeased

The Pentagon PapersIn 1971, a former Defense In 1971, a former Defense Department worker leaked Department worker leaked what were known as the what were known as the Pentagon Papers to the Pentagon Papers to the New York TimesNew York Times

The documents The documents showed how showed how

our leaders had our leaders had deceived deceived

Congress, the Congress, the media, and the media, and the

public about public about how the war how the war was goingwas going

The The government government had not been had not been honest with honest with the American the American peoplepeople

Roots of Watergate

The release of the Pentagon Papers The release of the Pentagon Papers to the New York Times angered to the New York Times angered

NixonNixonHe thought others were out to He thought others were out to sabotage his presidency and sabotage his presidency and undermine him, leading to…undermine him, leading to…

What was What was Watergate?Watergate?Watergate was one Watergate was one

of the largest of the largest political scandals political scandals in the history of in the history of

the United Statesthe United States

What was What was Watergate?Watergate?

The Watergate scandal occurred The Watergate scandal occurred when the when the Republicans were caught Republicans were caught

spying on the Democrats at the spying on the Democrats at the Democratic HeadquartersDemocratic Headquarters

What was What was Watergate?Watergate?

Watergate became a major scandal Watergate became a major scandal when President Nixon lied about when President Nixon lied about

his role in the break-in and tried to his role in the break-in and tried to cover it up cover it up

When initial polls showed Nixon only When initial polls showed Nixon only slightly ahead in the Election of 1972, slightly ahead in the Election of 1972, the Plumbers turned their activities to the Plumbers turned their activities to

political espionage.political espionage.

The Watergate The Watergate Break-inBreak-in

The White House The White House PlumbersPlumbers

Howard HuntHoward Hunt G. Gordon LiddyG. Gordon LiddyJames McCordJames McCord Chuck ColsonChuck Colson

This unit was called the “Plumbers” This unit was called the “Plumbers” because they were put in charge of because they were put in charge of

stopping information “leaks”.stopping information “leaks”.

After the release of the Pentagon Papers, After the release of the Pentagon Papers, the White House the White House created a unit to ensure created a unit to ensure

internal securityinternal security. .

June 17, 1972, 5 men were arrested after breaking into June 17, 1972, 5 men were arrested after breaking into the DNC headquartersthe DNC headquarters in Washington DC. (3 were in Washington DC. (3 were Cuban exiles; 1 Cuban American & 1 former CIA Agent)Cuban exiles; 1 Cuban American & 1 former CIA Agent)

They were They were eventually linked to CRP eventually linked to CRP – – The Committee to The Committee to Re-elect the President.Re-elect the President.

What were they doing there?What were they doing there? Placing listening devices (bugs) and gathering information on Placing listening devices (bugs) and gathering information on

the Democrat National Committee’s election strategythe Democrat National Committee’s election strategy

1972 – Presidential 1972 – Presidential ElectionElection

The Washington The Washington Post Post

Watergate came to public attention largely Watergate came to public attention largely through the work of Bob Woodward and through the work of Bob Woodward and

Carl Bernstein, investigative reporters from Carl Bernstein, investigative reporters from the the Washington Post. Washington Post.

Did Nixon Know?Did Nixon Know? January 1973:January 1973:

Watergate burglars on trialWatergate burglars on trial All found guiltyAll found guilty One claimed White House involvedOne claimed White House involved

Nixon reacts:Nixon reacts: Denied allegationDenied allegation Appointed Archibald Cox as special Appointed Archibald Cox as special

Watergate prosecutorWatergate prosecutor Senate investigates:Senate investigates:

May-Nov. 1973: Senator Sam Cox led May-Nov. 1973: Senator Sam Cox led televised independent Senate televised independent Senate investigationinvestigation

Clear that senior White House officials Clear that senior White House officials involvedinvolved

Three of Nixon’s advisors resignedThree of Nixon’s advisors resigned One, John Dean, claimed he discusses One, John Dean, claimed he discusses

burglary at least 35 times w/ Nixonburglary at least 35 times w/ Nixon Nixon denied any involvement, fired Nixon denied any involvement, fired

DeanDean

Battle for the TapesBattle for the Tapes Nixon’s tapesNixon’s tapes

Senate Investigation Senate Investigation revealed Nixon revealed Nixon recorded all recorded all conversations in oval conversations in oval office since 1971office since 1971

Senate & Cox Senate & Cox wanted tapeswanted tapes

Nixon refused, citing Nixon refused, citing “presidential “presidential privilege”privilege”

The deal broke down when Cox The deal broke down when Cox refused to accept the transcripts in refused to accept the transcripts in place of the tapes. place of the tapes.

President Nixon wanted to President Nixon wanted to dismiss/fire Special Prosecutor dismiss/fire Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox from his office the Archibald Cox from his office the next night—a Saturday. next night—a Saturday.

He contacted Attorney General He contacted Attorney General Richardson and ordered him to fire Richardson and ordered him to fire the special prosecutor. the special prosecutor.

Richardson refused, and instead Richardson refused, and instead resigned in protest. Nixon then resigned in protest. Nixon then ordered Deputy Attorney General ordered Deputy Attorney General Ruckelshaus to fire Cox; he also Ruckelshaus to fire Cox; he also refused and resigned in protest.refused and resigned in protest.

Solicitor General Robert Bork Solicitor General Robert Bork eventually fired Cox, eventually fired Cox, insisting that insisting that he believed the decision unwise but he believed the decision unwise but also that somebody had to obey the also that somebody had to obey the president's orders.president's orders.

Saturday Night MassacreSaturday Night Massacre

Sirica’s investigation Sirica’s investigation transformed Watergate from transformed Watergate from

a “third-rate burglary” to a a “third-rate burglary” to a major scandal.major scandal.

Watergate Watergate InvestigationsInvestigations

In March 1973, defendant In March 1973, defendant James McCord informed James McCord informed

Judge John Sirica that Judge John Sirica that Watergate was a conspiracy. Watergate was a conspiracy.

Congressional Congressional HearingsHearings

Congress began hearings to investigate the Congress began hearings to investigate the scandal and found that Nixon’s Attorney scandal and found that Nixon’s Attorney

General, John Mitchell, controlled a fund to General, John Mitchell, controlled a fund to pay for espionage operationspay for espionage operations

In June 1973, former White House legal counsel John Dean delivered

testimony that implicated Nixon from the earliest days of Watergate

Congressional Congressional HearingsHearings

The Oval Office The Oval Office TapesTapes

In an effort to discredit Dean’s testimony, the White In an effort to discredit Dean’s testimony, the White House announced that Nixon had secretly been House announced that Nixon had secretly been

tape-recording conversations. These tapes would tape-recording conversations. These tapes would become the focus of the investigation.become the focus of the investigation.

When the Supreme Court forced Nixon When the Supreme Court forced Nixon to surrender the tapes, he refused to surrender the tapes, he refused

invoking “executive privilege”invoking “executive privilege”

The Smoking Gun The Smoking Gun TapesTapes

The Oval Office The Oval Office TapesTapes

On October 23, 1973 Nixon agreed to On October 23, 1973 Nixon agreed to turn over White House tape recordings turn over White House tape recordings

requested by the Watergate special requested by the Watergate special prosecutor to Judge Sirica.prosecutor to Judge Sirica.

Many of the conversations on the tapes indicate Nixon’s knowledge of

the Watergate break in and the following cover-up. One tape had an

18½ -minute gap that people questioned.

The Smoking Gun The Smoking Gun TapesTapes

““The Rosemary Stretch”The Rosemary Stretch” President Nixon’s Secretary Rose Mary Woods claimed she President Nixon’s Secretary Rose Mary Woods claimed she

accidentally recorded over 5 minutes of one of the tapes by accidentally recorded over 5 minutes of one of the tapes by stepping on the ‘record pedal’ of the machine.stepping on the ‘record pedal’ of the machine.

She does not know what happened to the other 13 minutes.She does not know what happened to the other 13 minutes.

The House Judiciary The House Judiciary Committee (July 27, Committee (July 27, 1974) 1974) approved 3 approved 3 articles of articles of impeachment for impeachment for Nixon:Nixon:

1.1. obstruction of justiceobstruction of justice

2. abuse of power2. abuse of power3. contempt of 3. contempt of

CongressCongress

House Judiciary House Judiciary CommitteeCommittee

On August 5, 1974, when the “smoking gun tape” became public,

Nixon was told that he would not survive the vote in the Senate

On August 9, 1974, Richard Nixon became the first American

president to resign

Nixon ResignsNixon Resigns

Official Official letter of letter of resignation resignation from from President President Nixon to Nixon to Secretary of Secretary of State Henry State Henry Kissinger.Kissinger.

Aftermath of Aftermath of WatergateWatergate

Gerald Ford became the nation’s 37Gerald Ford became the nation’s 37thth president president.. More than 30 government officials went to More than 30 government officials went to

prison for their role in Watergate. prison for their role in Watergate. Nixon was not one of them. Nixon was not one of them. There was a public distrust of the government There was a public distrust of the government

that continues to this day.that continues to this day.

On September 8, On September 8, 1974, 1974, President Ford President Ford issued Proclamation issued Proclamation 4311, which 4311, which gave gave Nixon a full and Nixon a full and unconditional unconditional pardon for any pardon for any crimes he may have crimes he may have committed against committed against the United States the United States while President.while President.

Controversial PardonControversial Pardon