Richard Nixon

I believe that when you do not look at Watergate overall Richard Nixon had a positive impact on the US. He wasn't the most social or presentable president and he does have his flaws but he actually did some good for our country aside from Watergate. Better relations with China, easing of tensions with the Soviets, ending the Vietnam War and restoring order in the US was among the accomplishments that Nixon contributed to which has a long lasting positive impact on the US. We would not have the relations with China that we have today without Nixon. He showed Americans that not all Communists are terrible. He opened a huge market for American businesses which is a large part of our economy today. Better relations with China allowed American business expansion which is a postivie thing. Easing tensions with the Soviets during the Cold War was a great thing. Having signed the treaty to stop ICBM production; this lessened Americans tensions. Americans could relax and not fear of being bombed. This also in a way slowed down the arms race. Ending the Vietnam War was a positive thing, it stopped the slaughter of American troops for a war we shouldn't have been in. Also bringing order in a time of chaos was a positive thing. Kent State however, took it a bit too far but at least getting the idea of order after all the chaos of the sixties was a good plan. For these reasons, it has made Richard Nixon a positive factor for America.