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Nixon also tried to slow the pace of integration of black students into white schools. In 1957, the Supreme Court declared the practice illegal. Nixon then opposed the use of public buses to transport students to integrated schools. Other problems arose, such as inflation and high unemployment He also devalued the dollar to promote US exports and discourage imports.

Nixon won easily over his Democratic opponent in the election of 1972 due to improved economy and temporary peace between the US and Vietnam. During the campaign, five men connected with Nixon’s reelection committee were discreetly arrested for breaking into the Democratic Party’s national headquarters in the Watergate apartment complex in Washington D.C., attempting to steal documents and place wiretaps on the telephones. Secret peace meetings continued between the Untied States and Vietnam. Once an agreement was met, Nixon announced an official cease-fire over national television. At this time Nixon’s popularity was at its peak, but not for long. Severe inflation once again affected the economy, so Nixon devalued the dollar a second time. In addition to this he cut government spending on domestic social programs, such as education, urban renewal, and antipoverty programs, while resisting attempts by the Congress to reduce military spending.

Nixon’s prestige crumbled as a result of the Watergate scandal. Persistent questioning led to an investigation. In the trial of the Watergate burglars had shown that a cover-up had concealed their activities and their connections with high government officials and the president’s closest aids. A Senate committee on Watergate and the Justice Department revealed that this was one of many scandals involving Nixon and his loyalists. The actions of Watergate have been directed against the Democrats and all but one of Nixon’s aids and officials were forced to resign. These discoveries raised questions about Nixon’s knowledge and participation in their cover-up. He issued inconsistent statements claiming the importance of presidency allowed him to withhold documents even if the courts demanded them. The public was outraged that Nixon fired special investigator Cox over the question of access to his records. This ordered the House Judiciary committee to look into possible impeachment. Nixon then agreed to produce the withheld documents as a result of the threat, but soon after it was revealed that some tapes were missing. All of this caused other investigations to begin focusing on Nixon, such as possible income tax evasion and misuse of government funds. Nixon’s top two aids and two other men were indicted in connection with the Watergate cover-up in 1974. Nixon refused to hand over additional tapes that were demanded by the courts. The tapes supplied to the courts would be made public in the trials, so Nixon released edited transcripts that concealed any evidence of his involvement.

In early 1974, the Court ruled against Nixon’s claims of executive privilege in an eight to zero decision. He was also accused of obstructing justice, abusing presidential power, and refusing to comply with the House’s demands. This caused the Judiciary committee to introduce three impeachment articles. His supporters in Congress felt betrayed when he released tapes that year that showed he had participated in the Watergate cover-up as early as 1972. It was clear that he would be impeached by the House and convicted in the Senate, so on August 8, 1974, Nixon announced that his resignation would take effect the following day and Vice – President Ford would take his place as president. One month later, President Ford issued a pardon for all federal crimes Nixon may have committed while president. Through traveling and writing, he gradually regained his public respect.

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