The Period of Nixon and Regan

Richard Nixon, a democrat won the presidency in the year 1968.He withdrew troops from South Vietnam in phases and also promoted relations with China and Soviet Union so that North Korea would be persuaded for a peace agreement with the United States. This happened in January 1973, with America completely withdrawing its troops from Vietnam. Later, Vietnam was united under the communist rule. The Vietnam War was the most controversial war in America and it caused factions with the nation. The hawks wanted immediate military action against Vietnam and even the use of nuclear weapons, whereas, the doves wanted reconciliation and immediate withdrawal of American troops .This war even shattered the peace process of the Cold War. There were number of demonstrations against the government .People lost faith in the effectiveness of the government and America's effectiveness as a world power. Matters escalated with the exposure of the Watergate Affair, a series of scandals that forced the resignation of Richard Nixon in 1974.This was the first time in the history of U.S presidencies. He was succeeded by Vice President Gerald Ford. Jimmy Carter won the presidential election of 1976. He impressed the Americans by his strong sense of character and commitment to Human Rights .It was during his presidency that America was in great economic difficulties. Further, Iranian hostage crisis that went on for two years(November 1979 - January 1981)made matters worse .He was succeeded Ronald Regan by a former motion picture actor and governor of California. He promised to fight inflation, improve the moral conditions in the country and restore America's repute in the international front. He brought about stability in the economic situation and was reelected twice to the office of the president like Eisenhower. It was during Regan's second term in office that Mikhail Gorbachev made concessions on nuclear arms control, Afghanistan and reduced the Cold War tensions. The signing of the INF Treaty in 1987 called for the destruction of all intermediate - range nuclear weapons in Europe.