Richard Nixon 37th President Republican Vice President Lost 1960 Presidential Election to JFK Won Presidential Elections in Promised to end Vietnam War “Peace with Honor” and bring “law and order” back for the “Silent Majority” Middle Class Americans

The70’s Economy Inflation-increase in prices, reducing the ability to buy. OPEC- these oil producing nations placed an embargo on oil to US for support of its ally Israel Higher prices led to less buying, leading to job losses.

Nixon and The Cold War Eases tensions of the Cold War through a policy of Détente Along w/ his Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, he decides to visit China + USSR

Nixon in China In February 1972 Nixon becomes the first US President to visit China He meets with Mao Zedong and the nations agree to scientific and cultural exchanges

Nixon visits USSR 1972 Visits USSR its leader Leonid Brezhnev The result of the visit was a treaty limiting the number of Nuclear weapons each nation would produce SALT I Treaty-Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty

WATERGATE SCANDAL 1968 election he defeated LBJ’s Vice President Hubert Humphrey 1972 election he defeated South Dakota Senator George McGovern 520 to 17 electoral votes, 62% popular vote

Dirty Tricks The Committee to Re- elect the President (CREEP) was looking for “dirt” on McGovern and broke into the Democratic National headquarters in the Watergate Towers Complex While they were planting their “bugs” a security guard discovered them.

The Crime Creep members informed Nixon of the break in and arrests. Nixon ordered the committee to deny any association with the “burglars” which is a federal crime. Nixon and his staff then tried to “cover up the cover up”

The Investigation Two journalists from The Washington Post Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein had found links to Nixon and the break in.

The Cover Up Nixon had a tape machine set up in the oval office. When the Supreme Court asks for these tapes as part of the governments investigation Nixon refused on the grounds of Executive Privilege. The Supreme Court ordered Nixon to turn over tapes. US v. Nixon

Nixon’s Demise When Nixon finally turned over the tapes to the House of Representatives 18 ½ minutes had been “accidentally” erased. Before the House could vote to impeach Nixon resigned

August 9,1974 On national television Nixon informs the nation that he is resigning from the Presidency. The first and only to do so.

Nixon Leaving White House

Results/Effects of Watergate People will have less trust in government and politicians. It proved the nation is a nation of laws not individuals. Even the President must follow the law.

Gerald Ford becomes 38 th President of the United States The Accidental President?

1994 Nixon Dies at age 81