U.S. History Chapter 33

The Nixon Years

Chapter 33

The Presidency of Richard M. Nixon

A Master of Foreign Policy
- keeping America strong.

Visits Soviet Union to promote peace.
SALT Treaty. Sharing Science and Technology.
US & USSR link up in Space.

Recognizing Communist China in UN Security Council.

Still - Cold War
Russia in No. Vietnam

US in South Vietnam

Russia in Middle East - Arabs
US in Middle East - Israel

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Richard Nixon as
The Imperial President

The Chief Executive expanding his powers beyond what is written in the Constitution and dominates the National Government.

How? When?

1. Used his vast Executive Offices to harass non-supporters. Eg. CIA, Justice, FBI, IRS, FCC. They were used in his attempts to restore law and order to a troubled nation. His assistants went too far in Watergate.

2. Invasion and bombing of Cambodia, first by CIA operatives then by the regular military. Information with held from Congress and the American People.


3. Announced a 90 day price and wage freeze in 1971. A first by an American President in an effort to curb wartime inflation.

4. Watergate Cover - up.
Using his Executive Office to suppress evidence


Watergate - The bugging of Larry O'Briens office at Democratic Headquarters in D.C.
Why? To test their strength.
Irony - Nixon won the 1972 Election by a landslide.


Question 1 - Did Nixon know of the bugging? Probably not!
But his people thought that they could get away with anything.

Question 2 - Did Nixon know of and approve of the cover-up?


Yes. He appointed the special Watergate prosecutor Archibald Cox and fired him rather than submit secret tapes with damaging evidence. Attorney General Elliot Richardson resigned.
Saturday Night Massacre.

Nixon loses support in the House.
Impeachment proceedings begin.

Nixon resigns.

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