37th President · 1969–1974 · Republican
Richard Nixon
Opened China, slapped a tariff on imports in 1971 and ended the draft. Prolonged Vietnam and resigned over Watergate.
OverallB-GPA 2.74
The grades
- SovereigntyDid they put American interests first and keep decisions in American hands?B+
- HemisphereDid they guard the Americas against rival powers and threats?B
- RestraintDid they keep the country out of wars of choice that weakened it?C
- StatecraftDid they use diplomacy, force and alliances skillfully, on American terms?A-
- Industry and tradeDid they protect and build American industry?B+
- Working AmericansDid ordinary working families do better because of them?B
- BuildingDid they build things that lasted and push the frontier forward?B-
- NationDid they strengthen a shared American identity and the Union?B-
- CompetenceWere they capable, honest and effective in office?D
On the axes
MarketEconomyPopulist
Free tradeTradeProtectionist
RestraintForeign policyInterventionist
CosmopolitanNationNational
Dark dot: Richard Nixon. Red mark: the Monroe Society. Ideological closeness to the Society: 77%.