Richard Nixon

Definition

Richard Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. He is known for his pivotal role in the executive branch and the Watergate scandal that ultimately led to his resignation from office.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Nixon's presidency was marked by significant foreign policy achievements, including the opening of relations with China and the signing of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) treaty with the Soviet Union.
2. The Watergate scandal, which involved a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and a subsequent cover-up, ultimately led to Nixon's resignation in 1974.
3. Nixon invoked executive privilege to withhold information from Congress and the public, which contributed to the erosion of public trust in the presidency.
4. Nixon's tenure is often associated with the concept of the 'imperial presidency,' which refers to the growing power and influence of the executive branch.
5. Nixon's resignation marked a significant shift in the balance of power between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the U.S. government.

Review Questions

• Explain how Richard Nixon's presidency contributed to the concept of the 'imperial presidency' in the United States.
  • Richard Nixon's presidency is closely associated with the concept of the 'imperial presidency,' which refers to the growing power and influence of the executive branch. During his time in office, Nixon expanded the scope of executive authority, particularly through his invocation of executive privilege to withhold information from Congress and the public. This erosion of checks and balances on the president's power contributed to the perception of an increasingly powerful and unchecked presidency, which had significant implications for the balance of power between the branches of government.
• Describe the role of the Watergate scandal in the downfall of Richard Nixon's presidency.
  • The Watergate scandal was a defining moment in Richard Nixon's presidency and ultimately led to his resignation. The scandal involved a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters, as well as a subsequent cover-up by the Nixon administration. Nixon's attempts to conceal his administration's involvement in the illegal activities, including his invocation of executive privilege, eroded public trust and confidence in the presidency. The congressional investigations and legal proceedings surrounding the Watergate scandal ultimately forced Nixon to resign in 1974, marking a significant shift in the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches.
• Analyze how Richard Nixon's foreign policy achievements, such as the opening of relations with China and the SALT treaty with the Soviet Union, compare to the domestic turmoil of his presidency.
  • Despite the domestic turmoil and scandal that ultimately led to his downfall, Richard Nixon's presidency was also marked by significant foreign policy achievements. His opening of relations with China and the signing of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) treaty with the Soviet Union were seen as major diplomatic breakthroughs that contributed to détente and the easing of tensions during the Cold War. However, these foreign policy successes were overshadowed by the Watergate scandal and the erosion of public trust in the presidency. The contrast between Nixon's foreign policy accomplishments and the domestic turmoil of his administration highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of the executive branch's responsibilities and the challenges that can arise when the president's actions and behavior come under intense public and political scrutiny.

Related terms

Watergate Scandal: A major political scandal in the 1970s involving the Nixon administration's illegal activities, including the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex.

Executive Privilege: The right of the president and high-level executive branch officials to withhold information from Congress, the courts, and the public in order to preserve confidential communications.

Imperial Presidency: The concept that the power of the American presidency has grown enormously since the mid-20th century, to the point that the president now dominates the other branches of government.