Richard Nixon has perhaps the most significant influence on the formation of the image of modern America, but his portrait is presented rather in negative terms. Nixon had been trying to become president for a long time, since the 1950s, but he constantly ceded the visiting chair to other candidates. It can be generally concluded that Nixon sought to acquire the most power in his hands, which was more important than real positive change in the state. Nixon won the election in 1968, earning a high reputation among American right-wing and Republican citizens (Brokaw, 2019). This happened against the backdrop of the introduction of troops into Vietnam and the emergence of a hippie culture protesting America’s military violence. Nixon positioned himself as a politician of sufficient strength and restraint at a time when unrest and national hysteria were taking place in America. By emphasizing the need for America’s nuclear superiority and promising a valiantly well-deserved peace in America, he played on American populism by making the country more violent and aggressive.
Throughout his presidency, the Vietnam War continued as Nixon lied about America bringing peace to Vietnam. The war was aggravated by the fact that the Cambodian army coup led to a new entry of troops into Vietnam. Anti-war sentiment forced Nixon to withdraw troops, and his reputation suffered. The main scandal around Nixon was the Watergate incident, during which a group of people, at the suggestion of Nixon, planted spy devices in the offices of Nixon’s opponents (Brokaw, 2019). The president faces impeachment and was forced to resign, leaving the country in a state of political crisis. Despite the fact that during the Nixon presidency, such important events as the landing on the moon took place in the country, Nixon’s presidency undermined Americans’ confidence in the state. It was also accompanied by scandals and brutal military campaigns.
Reference
Brokaw, T. (2019). The fall of Richard Nixon: A reporter remembers Watergate. Random House.