Domestic
Gradualism- gradually cut spending, introduce monetary controls, took a long time, not particularly successful.
New Federalism- More power to states.
New Federalism- More power to states.
Legislation
Most of Nixon's successful legislative actions were taken in his first term, and most revolved around the rising concern for the environment, the economy, and employment of veterans.
Two Major Bills
National Environmental Policy Act of 1970-
Equal Employment Opportunities Act of 1972-
Additional Acts
Clean Air Act (1970)
Emergency Employment Act (1971)
Service Reform Bill (1967)
Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act (1973)
Most of Nixon's successful legislative actions were taken in his first term, and most revolved around the rising concern for the environment, the economy, and employment of veterans.
Two Major Bills
National Environmental Policy Act of 1970-
- First major legislation for environmental consideration.
- Environmental Impact Statements
- This act ensures that careful consideration for the environment is given before projects such as highways, airports, buildings, and other federal activities are completed.
- The Environmental Protection Agency works closely with the guidelines of the NEPA to review all impact statements.
Equal Employment Opportunities Act of 1972-
- Expands the government's power to prevent discrimination in the workplace and employment process.
- The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Administration (est. 1969) has the power to bring lawsuits in the Federal courts to protect the rights granted in the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
- Ensures that all employees are able to advance in their career with considerations of their qualifications and talents only.
Additional Acts
Clean Air Act (1970)
Emergency Employment Act (1971)
Service Reform Bill (1967)
Agriculture and Consumer Protection Act (1973)
Judicial
Appointees
William Rehnquist- Republican, Chief Justice 19771-2005
Lewis Franklin Powell Jr.-Democrat, Associate Justice, 1971-1987 4th Seat
Harry Andrew Blackum- Republican, Associate Justice, 1970-1994 2nd Seat
Warren Earl Burger- Republican, Chief Justice, 1969-1986, 9th Seat and later Chief justice.
General
Appointees
William Rehnquist- Republican, Chief Justice 19771-2005
Lewis Franklin Powell Jr.-Democrat, Associate Justice, 1971-1987 4th Seat
Harry Andrew Blackum- Republican, Associate Justice, 1970-1994 2nd Seat
Warren Earl Burger- Republican, Chief Justice, 1969-1986, 9th Seat and later Chief justice.
General
- Nixon was very aggressive towards the Supreme Court, he tried to create vacancies.
- With New justices, he still held the Court in minimal esteem.
- Dealt closely with the court during Watergate, Nixon held that it was within the power of the presidency to withhold information from a grand jury on the grounds of executive privilege.
- The Court ruled that Nixon had to surrender the tapes. Shortly after Nixon resigned.
Congressional
During both of Nixon's terms, there was a Democratic Majority throughout Congress.
During both of Nixon's terms, there was a Democratic Majority throughout Congress.
- House of Representatives: approx. 250/200
- Senate: approx. 60/40
- Lacked a Republican Congress, he vetoed 43 bills, 7 were overridden by Congress.
- War Powers Resolution, overridden, but is still largely ignored by presidents.
- Universal Child Care veto.
Foreign
Cold War
- The largest foreign policy issue Nixon was presented with was the Cold War
- Proactive in the foreign arena
- Attempted to mend relations with People's Republic of China, he did this in hopes of normalizing relations with the nation.
- Signed SALT I with the Soviet Union to limit the amount of nuclear weapons of each nation.
- Detente foreign policy-easing tensions, mending relations with the Soviet Union and China.
- Vietnamization-plan to train the South Vietnamese in hopes that they could take over the war, so that the US could pull out of the war entirely. He knew this would never work.
- He also proceeded with the Cambodian incursion, after experts advised against it in fear of elongating American involvement.
- Once the Watergate scandal broke, Nixon left much of his foreign policy up to his confidant, Henry Kissinger.
Overall
FAIL!
- Fairly successful Domestic policy actions, however many of his successes are forgotten to the major domestic scandal, Watergate that tarnished his reputation.
Despite poor relationships with Congress and the Supreme Court, Nixon was still able to achieve some legislative success.
His approach to counter LBJ's spending, failed, and inflation continued.
Internationally, Nixon was fairly successful in easing relations with the Soviet Union and China. In regards to the Vietnam War, he knew that if US troops were removed from Vietnam, the south Vietnamese would collapse and he still proceeded.
He is also criticized for his deception in Cambodia. Despite the knowledge that putting troops in Cambodia would almost definitely elongate the American involvement in Vietnam, Nixon excluded certain professionals from the decision to go ahead with the Cambodian incursion in 1970.
His actions set off a wave of protests, including one at Kent State University that resulted in 4 deaths. Nixon's actions also angered Congress who felt as though Nixon was overstepping his bounds by broadening the war.
He is penalized in other areas for his deception, so he is mainly criticized here for his poor relations with Congress and the Supreme Court, his failure to help the economy efficiently, and his poor approaches to the Vietnam War.