candidates in two elections. By 1968, he had sufficiently recovered his political standing to announce his candidacy for president.He had two major problems in seeking nomination in 1968. He had not won an election in eighteen years and he had no state in which to base his candidacy. He also could count on few Republican governors for support, though he did have support in Congress and other politicians whom he helped campaigned.He easily won the nomination on the first ballot at the convention and chose the governor of Maryland as his running mate. Vice-president Humphrey, his Democratic opponent, was placed under stress by Nixon from the unsuccessful war in Vietnam’s effects. Nearly thirty-two million votes gave him a clear majority in the electoral college. The most important issue Nixon faced when he became president was the Vietnam war. The conflict between North Vietnam and South Vietnam began in 1959, and in 1964 there were reports that North Vietnam had attacked US vessels. Congress and President Johnson authorized the bombing of North Vietnam and to increase US military involvement.Nixon campaigned against the war, and brought US soldiers back home. He developed the Nixon doctrine, stating that the United States would continue helping Asian nations combat Communism, but would no longer commit US troops to land wars in Asia. However, in 1970, Nixon expanded the war by allowing an invasion and several bombing missions.Into the second half of 1972, secret peace meetings were held between the assistant to the president for national security affairs and a North Vietnamese delegate. A breakthrough was achieved when a peace plan was agreed on, but abruptly collapsed when Nixon ordered further massive bombing. Nixon was more successful in other foreign policy areas, such as improving relations with China and USSR. Both countries signed trade agreements and treaties.He adopted conservative domestic policies by appointing appeals ...
