Richard Nixon was the 12th former Vice-President to become President, and the first to not succeed the President under whom he had served.

After taking office as President, Nixon won respect for his conduct of foreign policy. He ended U.S. military participation in the Vietnam War and eased the tension that had existed for years between the United States and both China and Russia. He became the first President to visit China while in office, and also visited Russia.

At home, Nixon was challenged by sharply rising prices. He placed government controls on wages and prices to halt inflation, but the controls had little effect. He en