judge Burger to the Supreme Court in 1969, federal judge Blackmun, Virginia lawyer Powell, and Assistant Attorney General Rehnquist in 1971; to shift the Supreme Court toward more conservative positions.Also, Nixon 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. His tactic to slow inflation with high interest rates failed, so he began wage and price controls. 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 it’s 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 S...
