Richard Nixon Library: Video: 1969 Inauguration of Richard Nixon

Source:The FreeState

When Richard Nixon became President of the United States in 1969, divided government returned to the Federal Government. After the Democratic Party held the White House and Congress for the last eight years. With Dick Nixon being elected President in 1968 and with Congressional Democrats retaining both the House and Senate, divided government returned to Washington for the first time since 1961. And when Nixon became President, he had an ambitious agenda. Especially on foreign policy, like ending the Vietnam War and opening negotiations with Russia and China. Take on high crime, Welfare reform, health care reform and energy policy as well.

The country was still very divided in 1969 and they were looking for something different. And they certainly got that in Dick Nixon and in President Nixon’s first two years. The country was still very divided, especially over Vietnam. But with President Nixon reaching out to both Russia and China and ending the Vietnam War by 1972, President Nixon had a big opportunity to bring the country together. And solve a lot of the problems the country was facing.

Like with crime, Welfare, health care and energy policy. And moved on all of those issues with limited success. Which is another reason why the Watergate scandal was such a shame. Because without it, President Nixon would’ve had four years to accomplish some of his other goals. During President Nixon’s first four years, he was a Foreign Policy President. And in his 2nd four years, he still would’ve been. But without the Watergate Scandal, he would’ve had four years to deal with some of the other issues. That the country was facing that he was interested in solving.