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Richard Nixon

Definition

Richard Nixon was an American politician who served as Vice President under Dwight D Eisenhower before becoming 37th President from 1969-1974. He is best known for his role in escalating Vietnam War and Watergate scandal which led to his resignation.

Analogy

Imagine Richard Nixon as a captain steering a ship through stormy waters (Vietnam War), but then gets caught stealing treasure from other ships (Watergate Scandal) causing him to abandon ship (resignation).

Related terms

Watergate Scandal: Major political scandal that occurred in 1972 during Nixon's presidency when burglars connected to Nixon's re-election campaign were caught breaking into Democratic National Committee headquarters leading eventually to Nixon’s resignation.

Dwight D Eisenhower: The 34th President of the United States, under whom Nixon served as Vice President.

Vietnam War: A long, costly armed conflict that pitted the communist regime of North Vietnam and its southern allies against South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States. Nixon escalated this war during his presidency.