Foreign Policy
Though Nixon understood the importance of Domestic Policy, his true calling was Foreign Policy. This was the area in which he achieved his greatest success. Nixon's greatest accomplishment was the establishment of peace with China. In 1972 he personally visited the communist nation, and laid a foundation for future good relation with this nation. (15) These actions also brought better relations with the USSR, as the Soviets wanted to avoid avoid an alliance between their rivals. After his visit to China, Nixon traveled to the Soviet Union. While there, he greatly boosted the relationship between the two superpower, which resulted in an arms reduction agreement. (16) Peace with the two major communist countries provided Nixon with the best opportunity to negotiate with North Vietnam without the nations big brothers looming threateningly in the background. By 1973 peace was finally negotiated to end the extremely unpopular Vietnam War that was claiming the lives of hundreds of US soldiers every week. Nixon knew that this advantage was vital in the discussions, "I had long believed that an indispensable element of any successful peace initiative in Vietnam was to enlist, if possible, the help of the Soviets and the Chinese." (17) The Nixon Administration also strongly supported Israel. The President believed in peace in the Middle East, but eventually this dream evaporated with the advent of the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Because of the United States' assistance of Israel during the conflict, Arab nations issued an oil embargo. Gas prices skyrocketed because of shortages, which resulted in rationing. (18) The issue was soon resolved, largely because of Nixon's foreign advisor, Henry Kissenger. The President continued the policy of resistance to the election of communist leaders in South America. Nixon supported a coup that rid Chile of the elected Marxist leader Salvador Allende. (19)
Domestic Policy
Though Domestic Policy was not Richard Nixon's strong point, he realized the importance of his actions within the bounds of his own country to his reelection in 1972. Upon his election, Nixon faced the worst inflation in a century, which overall he did little to resolve. The President was a strong advocate for environmental protection, eventually founding the EPA in 1970. (20) Nixon also initiated the war on drugs, along with other health reforms. He campaigned for equality across racial and gender bounds as well. Nixon continued the desegregation of schools in earnest and endorsed the Equal Rights Amendment. He also established the beginnings of affirmative action in 1970. (21) One of the main events during Nixon's presidency was America's success in space. John Kennedy's dream was fulfilled of putting a man on the moon in 1969. (22)