History
Discussion #11: The Fall from Grace-Watergate
Richard Nixon served as Vice-President of the United States from 1953 to 1961, and as President from 1969 to 1974. He was the only person to be elected twice to both the Presidency and Vice Presidency. In 1969 Americans had joined together in pride over the lunar landing and Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon.
Yet Nixon’s personality may have played a part in his eventual demise. He believed the United States faced grave dangers from the radicals and dissidents who were challenging his policies, and he came to view any challenge as a “threat to national security.” As a result, he created a climate in which he and those who served him could justify almost any tactics to stifle dissent and undermine the opposition. He has been described as being a devious, secretive, and embittered man whose White House became a series of covert activities. On August 9, 1974, Richard Nixon became the first chief executive in American History to resign, because of his role in the Watergate scandal.
Some Americans viewed this as an indication that the system worked. They were proud of the way the US political system had weathered the crisis and peacefully transferred power. Others worried about the further erosion of popular trust and belief in their government. Regardless, when he left office the nation remembered an administration that had been discredited by the Agnew and Watergate scandals. Watergate has come to define Nixon’s presidency.
In order to prepare for this discussion forum:
Review and identify the relevant sections of Chapter 30 that support your discussion.
Read the linked essay DEBATING THE PAST: WATERGATE
Read the following excerpts from the Nixon Tapes. As you read them to consider what the conversations reveal, about the casual use of federal agencies for political purposes.
Review the discussion on the Nixons’ “so-called “imperial Presidency” at this PBS site The American President: Richard Nixon
Digital History: Restraining the Imperial Presidency
Identify one source that addresses the topic you choose to discuss. The source must be cited in your discussion.
Additional recommended reading:
Read Chapter 1 of the book All the President’s Men available at this link. I also recommend the that you watch the 1976 film version.
Read the following reviews and articles on Stanley Kutler’s book Abuse of Power:
“The Exile” (Review of Kutler), Russell Baker
“The Unraveling” (Review of Kutler), Rick Perlstein
Nixon Tapes (PBS chat with Kutler)
After you have completed your readings post your response to only One of the following questions:
Evaluate Richard Nixon’s presidency. Aside from Watergate, should he be considered a good president?
In his 1973 book The Imperial Presidency, Arthur J. Schlesinger raised the argument that the Presidency has been evolving to the point that it was out of control, and was exceeding its constitutional limits. Do you agree or disagree with his arguments?
In order to earn the full 100 points (100%) for this assignment, you must:
Directly and completely answer at least ONE question. Please make sure that you clearly indicate which question you have chosen to discuss. Clearly and accurately explain your answer based on factual information contained in the assigned readings. (80 points)
Students must respond to at least one fellow student’s posting explaining the reason(s) for their agreement or disagreement, with the arguments that have been presented, in order to get full credit for the discussion. (20 points)
When posting your response to a fellow student’s comment, please try whenever possible, to select the question that you did not address for your discussion.
Make sure that all statements are supported with facts from the reading selections.
ANSWER
The Fall from Grace – Watergate
Discussion #11: The Fall from Grace-Watergate
Many Americans consider Nixon one of the worst Presidents in the history of the country yet this assumption is often incomplete. Having been the first president to resign, Nixon had taken the country through unchartered waters. Nixon’s Watergate scandal is one of the most if not the most remembered presidential scandal in the United States. The immense attention that Watergate receives in American politics overshadows all accomplishments that President Nixon had in the office. While most presidents are defined by their key successes and failures, Nixon’s Watergate scandal often overshadows all his effectiveness in foreign and domestic policy. In his first term, President Nixon reformed welfare, civil rights, healthcare, environmental policies, and foreign affairs. Nixon established the Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Management of Budget, and the Office of Energy Policy. Nixon supported the Clean Air Act of 1970 as part of his broad environmental agenda.
President Nixon approved all civil rights legislation from congress in a bid to broaden rights in the United States. His government oversaw the expansion of and enforcement of affirmative action. He supported legislation that expanded voting rights and lowered the age needed for voting to 18 years. Bothered by increasing sexual discrimination in educational benefits, Nixon supported Title IX which banned sexual discrimination. Under Nixon’s administration, spending for human services exceeded defense spending between 1970 and 1975. By reducing the war budget, President Nixon was able to channel more funds to enforcing civil rights and welfare services. President Nixon was able to enact innovative ways to engage China and the Soviet Union diplomatically. Through these endeavors, he was able to gain some modest ground in relationships and arms control with the anti-ballistic-missile agreement with USSR. Therefore, aside from Watergate, Richard Nixon should be considered a good president.
