Richard Nixon: Man and President (2 parts)

Richard M. Nixon’s long life was a roller coaster ride of breathtaking highs and devastating lows. Born on a modest ranch in Yorba Linda, California, the ambitious young Republican was a successful two-term Vice President until a string of political losses sent him into an angry retirement. Then, after a stunning comeback finally gave him the White House, his Presidency came crashing down in the spectacle of Watergate. Richard Nixon: Man and President would be useful for classes on American History, American Culture, Political Science, Civics and Ethics. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

• abhorrent
• anarchy
• antagonism
• biased
• contrived
• debonair
• diligent
• dubious
• exemplary
• exuberant
• fraudulent
• impenetrable
• implacable
• impulsive
• indifferent
• injunction
• innuendo
• integrity
• intrigue
• introverted
• irony
• monolithic
• obliterated
• obscure
• pacifism
• patrician
• persona
• pundits
• quagmire
• quintessential
• sage
• somber
• spontaneous
• surreal
• synopsis
• taciturn
• tenet
• usurp
• vindictive
• visionary

1. Richard Nixon was a member of the Quaker community. What was the role of the Quaker religion in the Nixon household?

2. Richard Nixon lost two of his brothers to disease. How did Nixon react to his brothers’ deaths? How did these deaths shape Nixon’s personality?

3. There was nothing in Nixon’s home life that would indicate a preparation for political life. How did Nixon get into politics? Why was he so drawn to the political arena?

4. Discuss the role of pacifism in Quaker tenets.

5. Nixon served as a naval officer during World War II. How did his service serve him as a politician? How did it help launch his political career?

6. The Cold War of post-World War II America fostered intense fears of communism. How did Nixon use these fears to his political advantage?

7. Political enemies accused Nixon of receiving inappropriate funds when he was a Vice Presidential candidate. How did Nixon counter these charges? Why has the “Checkers” speech become part of 20th century political lore?

8. Discuss the role of television in the 1960 presidential election.

9. In 1960, the “new” Nixon ran for President. What was “new” about Nixon? What was the same?

10. What was the Tet Offensive and how did it influence the 1968 election?

11. Discuss Nixon’s methods or organization and his leadership strategies.

12. The media is a large factor in 20th century political history. Discuss how Nixon used the media in his tenure as President.

13. What were the Pentagon Papers? How did they affect the United States domestic and foreign policy?

14. How and why did the Vietnam War divide the American people?

15. Discuss the Watergate scandal. How did it end Nixon’s presidency?

16. What is executive privilege? How did Nixon try to use executive privilege to protect himself?

17. What was the effect of Watergate on the United States?

18. What is the legacy of Richard Nixon?

1. Create a campaign poster for one of Richard Nixon’s campaigns.

2. Write an essay on the role of television and the media in Nixon’s career, and in 20th century political history.

3. Moderate a class discussion in which you compare the presidential scandals of Watergate and the Clinton scandal.

4. Write an obituary for Richard M. Nixon

5. Create a timeline of the events of Richard Nixon’s life and political career.

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Air Dates

• November 10, 2003
• November 11, 2003