Richard Nixon: Greatness Overshadowed by Corruption

The life of Richard Milhous Nixon was and always will be an interesting subject, and everybody has an opinion about the man. But there is one thing that can be agreed upon, and it is that he left the White House in disgrace. A man should not just be remembered for his mistakes though, and Nixon had a great deal of accomplishments throughout his life. Nixon was a Congressman, Senator, Vice President, the 37th President of the United States, and he significantly improved foreign affairs with multiple nations during his presidency. Sadly, Nixon will always be associated with the Watergate scandal and his following resignation.

Richard Milhous Nixon was born on January 9th, 1913 on his parent’s family built lemon ranch in Yorba Linda, California. His early life was not one of lavish living like many other presidents, and Nixon actually experienced some unfortunate events. His family’s ranch failed and two brothers of his died, forcing the remaining Nixon’s to move into a relative’s home where they opened a gas station grocer combination. Years later in 1930, Nixon attended Whittier College in Whittier California, where he received a scholarship to attend Duke University’s law school. By 1937, Nixon had graduated with his law degree and the honor of serving as the Student Bar Associations president. Nixon moved back to Whittier in 1937 and became a partner of the Wingert and Bewley law firm. Nixon also enjoyed performing in local theatre, which is how he met his to be wife, Thelma Catherine Ryan, or “Pat”. Nixon’s early life was if anything, a set up for what would become a long and impressive political career.

In 1946, Republicans in California were urging Nixon to run for Congress, which he did. Nixon won by a healthy majority, u...

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... and every presidential candidate since has made sure to look their sharpest when in a televised debate or event of any type. Nixon’s positive impact was large enough to where his presidency should have been reviewed favorably by most. Understandably though, Nixon’s presidency will always be remembered for one large mistake. Nixon was one of only three presidents to have impeachment charges brought upon him, and the only president to ever resign. The nation instilled it’s faith in Nixon and he lied to them. When it was revealed that Nixon had in fact been lying to the nation for so long, no one trusted him anymore. This proved that corruption can be found at any level of the American political system, even the highest possible position. This distrust and skepticism of politicians it still very much alive today, and is undoubtedly Nixon’s biggest impact on America.