Why was Nixon elected by a landslide in 1972 but forced to resign in 1974?

Nixon's power hungry personality was the most important factor in ensuring his landslide victory in
1972 as well as his forced resignation in 1974. This was shown in many aspects of his work. Such
as his policies and representation of himself where he targeted of Middle America and the 'silent
majority' to ensure his re-election in 1972. Furthermore his need for power can also be seen in his
judgement in establishment of CREEP to ensure re-election and the Saturday Night Massacre. His
cunning personality was also greatly beneficial to his re-election though ultimately his ever growing
paranoia and distrust proved to be his downfall. Overall the factors suggest that Nixon's victory and
failings was a direct result of his desperate obsession with maintaining power and control.
Firstly how Nixon presented himself to the American public, contributed to his landslide victory in
1972 but also his resignation in 1974. He made himself out to be a traditional family man in order to
appeal to the silent majority. He judged that it would be in Middle America where he gained the
most votes and was prepared to change his own policies to fit their views, this demonstrates how he
was so desperate to maintain power that he was willing to change what he stood for. Although
Nixon's desperation to present himself in a good light to the American public also created his
downfall. In 1974 the release of the Nixon tapes with the 18 minutes of missing footage lost Nixon
his presidency. His need to represent himself as good to the American public meant that he was
even willing to release the smoking gun tape that clearly highlighted his deceitful nature. It was
obvious Nixon was hiding something but right until the very end he insisted 'I am not a crook' again
this validates his determination to maintain power even with all the odds against him.
Nixon's policies also ensured his re-election in 1972, but his resignation in 1974. In 1972 his
policies involved swearing he would reinstate law and order which created mass support from
Middle America, stabilising his votes. Nixon swore he would be tougher on this uprising of youths,
again demonstrating how Nixon was crafty in promising anything that would ensure votes rather
than creating policies he believed in. He was very talented at reading the needs of the American
public and changing his policies in order to meet these needs. As well as this in his 'Southern
Strategy' Nixon's administration tried to slow down desegregation in Southern schools, as many
white-voters across America had concerns about racial integration. This Nixon policy indicates his
underlying cunning personality. Nixon's policies also brought him trouble in the establishment of
CREEP in 1972 which can be seen as the start of Nixon's downfall. CREEP's use of illegal methods
such as bugging the Watergate hotel exhibits Nixon's desperation to maintain his power as
Watergate made it evident he was willing to break laws in order to remain President. Watergate also
highlights the extremely paranoid aspects of his personality. Nixon used CREEP as a scapegoat for
his illegal activities, attempting to disassociate himself with the trail and spreading the blame.
Overall Nixon's policies were created to ensure the votes of Middle America and to get re-elected
by any means possible again exposing his craving for power.
It appears Nixon's opposition worked in his favour in the 1972 election but ultimately also
contributed to his resignation in 1974. McGovern the democratic party leader, was viewed as too
liberal. His policies regarding abortion and drugs proved too controversial for the majority of
America's public. His party was unorganised and badly managed, making this election campaign
weak. This benefited Nixon's own campaign, which he poured a enormous amount of time and
money into, due to his need for power. On the other hand in 1974 Nixon's opposition that proved
fatal. As things grew worse Nixon refused to face the media with the truth. Instead he adopted a
much more tactical approach in waiting for cracks in the media's story to appear that he could attack
in order to create doubt. However this time his opposition was too strong and his chance never
came. Nixon's power hungry personality can be seen here in his headstrong refusal to admit defeat
in the face of all the media had uncovered and to keep fighting until the bitter end. This
determination had a large impact on both his re-election in 1972 and forced resignation in 1974.

Finally in the 1972 election Nixon's own team were vital for his victory as well as his downfall in
1974. His use of the same running mate, Agnew, from his first election win provided continuity to
the public, representing how wanted tradition rather than the change the liberals were pushing for.
Meeting the desires of the majority of the American public. Through this method he portrayed
himself as a loyal republican, dedicated to the cause. In addition Agnew was greatly loved and
respected by many Americans meaning Nixon could use him to branch out his campaign and appeal
to even more voters. This proves he had a power hungry personality as he willing to win voters
through his running mate rather than policies he was truly passionate about. However in 1974 team
became his own downfall. Despite his efforts to cover it the paper trail led to CREEP after
Watergate which was soon associated with him. During the scandal, he fired 3 high-ranking
members of his own administration in a desperate attempt to maintain power, which was later
named the 'Saturday Night Massacre'. Showing again how he had no conscience even for his own
team when it came to keeping his role as President.
In conclusion it was Nixon's power hungry personality that resulted in his landslide victory in 1972
and his resignation in 1974. This aspect of his personality was highlighted through his policies, his
presentation of himself, his dealings with opposition and his team. His headstrong determination
maintain his position is evident in all of these aspects, such as his willingness to change his own
policies in order to ensure more votes. The resoluteness in these factors of his leadership most
definitely ensured his re-election in 1972, in which it worked to his advantage, and in 1974, where
the headstrong nature of his need for power inevitably engineered his deterioration. For these
reasons, Nixon was elected by a landslide in 1972 but forced to resign in 1975 due to his power
hungry personality.