President Richard M. Nixon: Pros and Achievements of His Presidency

Some of the pros or positives and achievements of the presidency of Richard M. Nixon.

PRESIDENCY

His 5 Years, 201 Days as President

PRO

The Nixon years marked a key turning point in U.S. foreign policy. Under the President's able leadership, the U.S. began to move away from its costly and unfortunate role as "policeman of the world." The dangers and hysteria of the cold war subsided as Nixon moved toward a more reasonable relationship with Russia. For the 1st time since 1950, America opened its eyes to China and established a promising dialogue with Peking. Having inherited the war in Vietnam from his predecessor, Nixon managed to bring home the American troops and POWs and won, at long last, peace with honor. In the Middle East, Nixonian diplomacy brought about a cease-fire and negotiations between Arabs and Israelis, and the best chance for a peaceful settlement in Israel's 25-year history. By the time Nixon left office, he had moved the world a giant step closer to his dream of a "new generation of peace." None of the scandals of his Administration can obscure the glow of this monumental achievement.

PRO

On the domestic scene, Nixon established a revenue-sharing program that restored a measure of balance to the State-Federal relationship. He set up the Council on Environmental Quality to give recognition to the problems of pollution and consumption. He ended the peace-time draft and helped to restore peace to the nation's campuses. He cut back on many of the wasteful programs of LBJ's "Great Society" that had been squandering the taxpayer's money.

PRO

Nixon made it clear that Administration policy would not be affected by demonstrations in the streets. His firmness helped put an end to a dangerous cycle of ghetto and campus unrest.

PRO

In perpetrating the Watergate affair, Richard Nixon inadvertently performed his greatest service to his country. Thanks to Nixon, the people received an invaluable education concerning their constitutional rights, the criminal justice system, the importance of a free press, and the hypocrisy of many of their leaders. During the Nixon Administration, Congress began to reassert its authority after a long period of dormancy, and the dangerous growth in presidential power was at last arrested. At the very end of his Presidency, Nixon fulfilled his promise to unite the country as never before--with Americans of every political persuasion joining forces to demand his impeachment or resignation.

You Are Here: Trivia-Library Home » 37th U.S. President: Richard Milhous Nixon » President Richard M. Nixon: Pros and Achievements of His Presidency
« President Richard M. Nixon: Reelection and Second TermPresident Richard M. Nixon: Cons and Failures of His Presidency »