Nixon’s Presidency

Nixon

• 1968 Election

• Nixon narrowly defeats Hubert Humphrey– Tries to immediately change the government

from a liberal democrat to a conservative republican

• Civil rights laws and the Warren Court• Gave more power to local government

Nixon

• Foreign Policy– More well known for this

• Détente– Relaxing of tensions

• China– Lifts trade and travel restrictions

• Visits there himself- 1972

– Work together to maintain peace

Nixon

• Soviet Union– Nixon also visits USSR– Eases tensions

• Limits nuclear arms• Opens up more trade

– Best relationship of the Cold War

Nixon

• Throughout Nixon’s political career, he developed a sense of paranoia– Thought people were trying to bring him down

• As president, this became worse

• As 1972 election came around, his paranoia took over– Re-election team used many undesirable

techniques to gain an advantage

Nixon

• Watergate Scandal• Members of the Committee to Re Elect the

President broke into the Democratic National Headquarters

• Steal their information• Nixon and White House staff denied

having any involvement• Nixon won election in a landslide

Nixon

• As the Watergate investigation began, secrets were revealed– Nixon was accused of covering it up, but did not order

the break in• No one knew what to believe

• It was then revealed that Nixon had taped all conversations in the White House– Nixon refused to give up the tapes

• Amid the Watergate scandal and other incidents, Nixon resigns

Nixon

• It was later proved that Nixon was involved with the cover-up– Revealed on his tapes

• New laws were made to limit the power of the Executive Branch

• People had a complete distrust of the government