matthewrosedev, Author at Matthew Rosenbaum Political Pins

RIchard ixon political pin

A Little Political History

While the 1960s were known politically for the Kennedys, it was, without a doubt, the decade of Nixon as well. In 1960, Vice President Nixon stepped out from President Eisenhower’s shadow and became the Republican Party nominee for President.

He picked UN Ambassador and former Senator Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts as his running mate. Nixon lost that race in a squeaker to JFK. He then lost in his bid to become Governor of California in 1962.

Most people thought Nixon wouldn’t emerge from two massive defeats in two years, but six years later, he took on a bevy of Republican challengers and won the nomination. The Democrats were a split ticket, and Nixon came up the middle to take the prize he so desperately wanted. Only Watergate would undo him another six years later.

Background

Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th president of the United States (1969–1974) and remains one of the most controversial figures in American history. His presidency had accomplished significant foreign policy achievements, but ended in disgrace with the Watergate scandal.

Born in 1913 in California, Nixon built a political career as a strong anti-communist, serving in Congress and as vice president under Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953–1961). After losing the 1960 presidential election to John F. Kennedy, he made a comeback, winning the presidency in 1968.

Portriat of Richard Nixon's family — Nixon Family Portrait with Julie and David Eisenhower; President Richard Nixon, First Lady Pat Nixon, Tricia and Edward Cox, 12/24/1971. WikiPedia Public Domain

Nixon’s most significant accomplishments were in foreign policy. He improved U.S.-China relations and pursued détente with the Soviet Union, leading to arms control agreements. He also ended U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War through “Vietnamization,” where he implemented a peace through strength policy, withdrawing US troops gradually instead of all at once, as he believed it would make America look weak. Domestically, Nixon established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and enforced school desegregation.

Ironically, the relationship with China is currently taking a turn for the worse, as President Trump is presently in a tariff war with the communist regime. Hopefully, a deal will be worked out, and this bottleneck with China will loosen.

In 1972, operatives linked to his campaign were caught breaking into Democratic offices. Investigations revealed Nixon’s involvement in covering up the crime. Facing impeachment, he resigned on August 8, 1974, becoming the first U.S. president to do so. His successor, Gerald Ford, later pardoned him.

❌ What Nixon Did Wrong – The Breakdown

Watergate Scandal

- The most talked about scandal of the decade or even century. Nixon approved and attempted to cover up a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters.
  - He outright lied about the corruption he knew about; specifically, Watergate, illegal wiretaps, and the use of federal agencies against political enemies. This eroded public trust within the American public, which further led to his demise.
  - Secretly expanded the war into Cambodia and Laos without Congressional approval.
  - Nixon was the only U.S. president to resign from office in order to avoid possible impeachment and removal.

✅ What Nixon Did Right

Foreign Policy Wins

Although Nixon failed due to corruption, he was a die-hard patriotic American, and his time in office led to significant accomplishments.

- - Opened diplomatic relations with China (1972)
    This is one, if not the highest, accomplishment. He essentially erased the tensions of the Cold War and paved the way for modern U.S.-China relations. How can you ignore 1.7 billion people was his rationale.
  - Detente with the Soviet Union
    He signed the SALT I treaty to limit nuclear arms.
  - Ended American involvement in the Vietnam War
    Under enormous political and public pressure, Nixon gradually withdrew U.S. troops and transferred combat to South Vietnamese forces.

- - Established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
    A significant move in federal environmental protection is still in existence to this day.
  - Desegregated Southern schools
    Despite the racial upheaval in the mid-1960s, Nixon made more progress in school desegregation than any previous president.

Despite his achievements, Nixon’s legacy was tarnished by Watergate, which damaged public trust in the government. While his foreign policy shaped global relations, his presidency served as a warning about the consequences of political corruption.

Political pin of Harry Truman — From the archives of Matthew Rosenbaum

The Early Years

Harry S. Truman’s road to the presidency was anything but predictable. His journey was filled with resilience, determination, and some astonishing victories. Born in Missouri in 1884, he grew up in a working-class family, spending much of his early life on a farm. Before stepping into politics, he held various jobs, including running a small business and serving in World War I. Eventually, he entered public service and was elected a U.S. senator in 1935. Known for his no-nonsense attitude and integrity, he quickly made a name for himself in Washington.

Overview

Independence, Missouri, USA - June 16, 2023: Afternoon sunlight shines on the historic home of President Truman — Independence, Missouri. Home of President Truman. iStock

Truman wasn’t exactly the first choice for Vice President in 1944, but he was seen as a safe, middle-ground candidate to run alongside Franklin D. Roosevelt. At the time, Roosevelt was in his fourth term and was in declining health, but few expected Truman to take over as president so soon.

That all changed in April 1945, when Roosevelt died suddenly, thrusting Truman into the most powerful job in the world. He had barely been in the loop on major decisions, including the development of the atomic bomb, yet he had to lead the country through the final stages of World War II. It was Truman who made the fateful decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, bringing the war to an end.

Nuclear scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer, coined the “father of the atomic bomb,” met once with President Truman in October 1945. The meeting didn’t go as planned. Oppenheimer, who was feeling guilty about the deaths that occurred in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, was reported to have said, “I have blood on my hands.” Truman, who knew he had no choice but to give the order to drop the bombs, otherwise run the risk of losing hundreds of thousands of allied troops who would have had to take on a D-Day approach to Japan, was very insulted. He said he never wanted to see Oppenheimer in the White House again.

Post World War II

After the war, Truman faced a tough road ahead. The economy was shifting from wartime production, labor strikes were on the rise, and tensions with the Soviet Union escalated, marking the beginning of the Cold War. On top of that, his approval ratings were sinking, and many within his own party were turning against him. By the time the 1948 election rolled around, few believed he had a real shot at winning. Even the Democratic Party was divided, with Southern conservatives (the “Dixiecrats”) breaking away in opposition to his civil rights policies.

His Republican opponent, Thomas E. Dewey, was widely expected to win. Dewey was polished, confident, and already a national figure as Governor of New York. The press, the polls, and even some of Truman’s advisors assumed he was headed for defeat. But Truman wasn’t one to back down. He hit the campaign trail hard, traveling thousands of miles by train on his famous “Whistle-Stop Tour.” Speaking directly to ordinary Americans, he called out the Republican-led Congress for blocking progress and failing to support working people. His fiery speeches resonated, especially with farmers, laborers, and African Americans.

Truman’s presidency included the following:

Start of the Cold War

Communism was an ever-growing threat to the United States and Europe, and many Americans were frightened of the potential dangers of a potential nuclear war between America and the Soviet Union. President Truman played a central role in the early development of the Cold War. The rivalry was intensified by political, military, and ideological differences between the two nations, namely, democracy vs. communism.

The Berlin Airlift

Then there was the Berlin Airlift, which was Truman’s response to flying food, fuel, and supplies by air to West Berlin after Stalin blocked all roads, railways, and canals into West Berlin. This move showed the U.S. would stand firm against Soviet aggression without direct conflict. This airlift continued for a year, starting in June 1948.

The Truman Doctrine

Truman’s suspicion of Joseph Stalin’s intentions to control Eastern Europe was the impetus to start of the Cold War. In 1947, he created the Truman Doctrine, which stated that the United States would provide political, military, and economic assistance to any country threatened by communism. Greece and Turkey were the first to receive American support, facing communist pressures and internal instability after World War II. In a broader sense, the Doctrine set the tone for Cold War U.S. foreign policy.

The Marshall Plan

In 1948, he initiated the Marshall Plan, officially known as the European Recovery Program, provided economic aid to help rebuild Western Europe after the war, but the Soviets predicted this as a threat and responded by clamping down on Eastern Europe.

Proposed by Secretary of State George C. Marshall, the plan provided over $13 billion in economic aid to European countries struggling with hunger, poverty, and destroyed infrastructure after World War II. The goal was to spur economic recovery and prevent the spread of communism by stabilizing governments that followed democratic principles. Of course, the. The Soviet Union and its allies refused the help, viewing it as a threat to their influence.

The Marshall Plan was a significant success. It revived European economies, strengthened U.S. / European ties, and marked a key moment in the early days of the Cold War. It also reinforced America’s role as a global leader in promoting democracy, stability, and free-market economies.

NATO

Truman has been noted as a prominent force in helping to establish the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in 1949, a military alliance to defend against Soviet threats. Years later, the Soviets responded with the Warsaw Pact.

Ironically, we are now facing a similar threat from none other than Vladimir Putin, who attacked Ukraine in 2020, claiming that this land is part of Russia. President Trump is currently trying to work out a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, but time will only tell the final result.

Truman’s Next Election

Election night in 1948 was a rollercoaster. Early reports suggested Dewey was winning, and the Chicago Daily Tribune famously printed the incorrect headline, “Dewey Defeats Truman.” However, as the final votes were counted, Truman emerged victorious in one of the biggest political upsets in U.S. history. His unexpected win proved that grassroots campaigning and direct engagement with voters could overcome even the most formidable odds. Truman’s legacy remains one of perseverance, bold leadership, and an unwavering commitment to the American people.