Ask History Expert

In what ways did the Vietnam War affect Richard Nixon's campaign for re-election in 1972?

Richard Nixon was born to a family of modest means in California in 1913. Many of Nixon's biographers believe that because he was not born into a wealthy or well-connected family, he felt like an outsider. They further believe that he was unable to shed these feelings of inferiority and distrust even after he became a famous politician. In spite of his election to the office of president of the United States, Nixon still felt somehow that his enemies were determined to defeat and destroy him.

After earning a law degree and serving in World War II, Nixon became a congressman from California in 1947. He rose to national political prominence in the Alger Hiss case (1948-1949). As a member of the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC), Nixon doggedly pursued accusations that Hiss was a former Communist, even though most of his colleagues assumed that Hiss was innocent. When Hiss was convicted of two counts of perjury (lying under oath), Nixon was vindicated.

In 1950, Nixon was elected to the U.S. Senate. From 1953-1961 Nixon served as Dwight D. Eisenhower's vice president. In 1960, he was defeated by Democrat John F. Kennedy in one of the closest presidential elections in American history. Two years later, he ran for governor in California, but was again defeated. From 1963 to 1968, Nixon practiced law in New York City. In 1968, once again the Republican nominee for president, Nixon defeated Hubert Humphrey in another extremely close election.

Nixon's first term as president was dominated by the Vietnam War and Americans' growing opposition to it. As a presidential candidate, Nixon suggested that he would find a way to end the war. As president, he sought ways to reduce the number of American troops stationed in Vietnam, but at the same time escalated the war and increased American bombing of the Communist nation of North Vietnam.

Nixon's decisions to bomb North Vietnam fueled the growing antiwar movement. His decision to extend the war into two of Vietnam's neighboring countries, Cambodia and Laos, in May 1970, provoked widespread protests, especially on college campuses. On May 4, 1970 four protesters were killed by National Guardsmen sent to patrol the campus of Kent State University in Ohio. Ten days later, two African-American students were killed during protests at Jackson State University in Mississippi.

In 1971, a government employee, Daniel Ellsberg, leaked a secret government report on the conduct of the Vietnam War to the press. The New York Times (and, later, other newspapers) published these so-called "Pentagon Papers." The documents revealed that government officials had repeatedly misled the American public by exaggerating the successes of the war effort. In an effort to obtain information that could be used to discredit Ellsberg, Nixon aides E. Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy burglarized the office of Ellsberg's psychiatrist.

The Vietnam War and Nixon's anger toward those who disagreed with his conduct of the war set the scene for the 1972 presidential election. In his re-election bid of 1972, Nixon wanted not merely to retain the White House but to win by the largest possible margin. His campaign organization was known as the Committee to Re-Elect the President; the organization was abbreviated as CRP, but Nixon's critics soon dubbed it CREEP. The committee sought ways not only to enhance Nixon's popularity, but also to undermine his opponents.

History, Academics

  • Category:- History
  • Reference No.:- M9542533

Have any Question?


Related Questions in History

Complete an 8-page report with a strong thesis statement on

Complete an 8-page report with a Strong Thesis statement on the history of St. Augustine. The oldest European settlement in the U.S., St. Augustine was discovered in 1565 - 42 years before the Jamestown colony in Virgini ...

Question what is history why should we study historywithin

Question : What is history? Why should we study history? Within the context of our stories concerning Christopher Columbus, Native Americans, the Pilgrims, or slavery, discuss how historians (Zinn and Loewen) have dealt ...

Clarifying some things on the revolutioni am going to say

Clarifying some things on the Revolution I am going to say something, and I want you to hear me. I am a scholar of the Revolution. That's the topic of my dissertation. Please believe me when I say that I know a lot about ...

Discussion for assignment the protestant

Discussion for Assignment : The Protestant Reformation Sections A: What if anything did you know about the Protestant Reformation prior to this class? Were you aware of how much control the Roman Catholic Church had over ...

Paper assignmentthen each faction member should choose one

PAPER ASSIGNMENT Then each faction member should choose one of the characters listed below (it's OK if some characters are shared by more than one person) and drawing on the textbook readings and the links provided on yo ...

1 discussion forumcompare the various motivations for

1. Discussion Forum Compare the various motivations for establishing the colonies. How well did the colonies achieve their original purpose or have to adapt to unexpected situations in the New World? Give specific exampl ...

The purpose of this discussion assignment is to reflect

The purpose of this discussion assignment is to reflect upon your understanding of different historical and philosophical approaches to the self. After completing your readings, write a 2-3-page paper explaining the avoc ...

Answer the following question what is a human beings true

Answer the following Question : What is a human being's true identity? To what degree does society form our identity? Is this our "true" identity, or is it something else? Must be 500 words, APA format , must incorporate ...

Consider the contemporary expressions of these faiths and

Consider the contemporary expressions of these faiths and to reflect upon their relevance to your own and our collective societal experience--To consider how central teachings, principals and practices of these faith tra ...

This exam is open-book open note you may use any sources

This exam is open-book, open note. You may use any sources you wish. However, you must document (with end notes or in-text references) all sources that you use. Write in your own words, quote (from primary sources) spari ...

  • 4,153,160 Questions Asked
  • 13,132 Experts
  • 2,558,936 Questions Answered

Ask Experts for help!!

Looking for Assignment Help?

Start excelling in your Courses, Get help with Assignment

Write us your full requirement for evaluation and you will receive response within 20 minutes turnaround time.

Ask Now Help with Problems, Get a Best Answer

Why might a bank avoid the use of interest rate swaps even

Why might a bank avoid the use of interest rate swaps, even when the institution is exposed to significant interest rate

Describe the difference between zero coupon bonds and

Describe the difference between zero coupon bonds and coupon bonds. Under what conditions will a coupon bond sell at a p

Compute the present value of an annuity of 880 per year

Compute the present value of an annuity of $ 880 per year for 16 years, given a discount rate of 6 percent per annum. As

Compute the present value of an 1150 payment made in ten

Compute the present value of an $1,150 payment made in ten years when the discount rate is 12 percent. (Do not round int

Compute the present value of an annuity of 699 per year

Compute the present value of an annuity of $ 699 per year for 19 years, given a discount rate of 6 percent per annum. As