The Watergate scandal is the most famous event associated with the presidency of Richard Nixon. However, he was in power from 1969 to 1974, during which there were other significant episodes. First of all, in April 1989, he proposed to consolidate federal funds. This initiative implies the formation of a general support program, the money from which the local government can independently use for the urban areas rebuilding and community redevelopment. With this proposal, Nixon sought to simplify bureaucratic difficulties for local representatives who were able to direct money directly to the needs of their city or state. The President criticized the existing system for being inconvenient and fragmented. This initiative is a continuation of urban renewal and development programs, which is undoubtedly the right direction. Giving local authorities more freedom is able to accelerate the necessary changes.
In May of that year, Nixon also offered to withdraw military forces from South Vietnam. Vietnamization, within which this decision was made, was a strategy for strengthening the military forces of South Vietnam and gradually minimizing the presence of the US army. The program ended in 1973 but was not successful as South Vietnam was defeated in 1975. The entire strategy of Vietnamization, on which Nixon had high hopes, was initially flawed. The President sought to grant the South Vietnamese army independence from the US army in the fight against the communists. The entire strategy of Vietnamization, on which Nixon had high hopes, was initially flawed. The President sought to grant the South Vietnamese army independence from the US military forces in the fight against the communists. However, this decision only caused more discontent from the public and also became both political and economic disappointment.
In June 1973, Nixon announced a sixty-day price freeze to prevent price increases on all goods except rent and agricultural products. This initiative was aimed at combating rapidly growing inflation and allowed the administration to gain time for careful planning of further actions. Although Nixon strove to control various prices throughout his presidency, this trend gradually terminated. From a political point of view, such measures allowed him to gain short-term popularity. However, from an economic perspective, they were ineffective since they did not eliminate the causes of inflation. Thus, price control was a more populist approach than a real way to improve the situation.