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Nixon's Civil Rights Politics: Principle and Policy

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Nixon’s Civil Rights: Politics, Principle, and Policy

by Dean J Kotlowski

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Richard Nixon's civil rights politics were complex and often contradictory. He supported some civil rights legislation, but he also opposed others. He appointed some African Americans to high-ranking positions in his administration, but he also made statements that were seen as racist. This article explores Nixon's civil rights record and examines the factors that influenced his policies.

Background

Nixon was born in Yorba Linda, California, in 1913. His father was a citrus farmer, and his mother was a schoolteacher. Nixon attended Whittier College and Duke University Law School. After graduating from law school, he returned to California and practiced law in Los Angeles.

Nixon entered politics in 1946, when he was elected to the House of Representatives. He served in the House for two terms, and then he was elected to the Senate in 1950. Nixon served in the Senate for eight years, and he was a strong supporter of Senator Joseph McCarthy's anti-communist campaign.

In 1952, Nixon was elected vice president under Dwight D. Eisenhower. He served as vice president for eight years, and he played a key role in the administration's civil rights policy.

Civil Rights Policy

Nixon's civil rights policy was based on the principle of "benign neglect." Nixon believed that the federal government should not actively promote civil rights, but that it should instead allow states and localities to address the issue on their own.

Nixon supported some civil rights legislation, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. However, he opposed other civil rights measures, such as busing and affirmative action.

Nixon appointed some African Americans to high-ranking positions in his administration, including Robert Brown, the first African American to serve as a cabinet secretary. However, Nixon also made statements that were seen as racist. For example, he once said that "black people are not as intelligent as white people."

Factors Influencing Nixon's Civil Rights Policy

Several factors influenced Nixon's civil rights policy. These factors included:

Southern Strategy: Nixon's Southern Strategy was a political strategy that aimed to appeal to white voters in the South. Nixon believed that he could win the support of white voters in the South by opposing civil rights legislation.
Law and Order: Nixon campaigned on a law and order platform. He believed that the federal government should take a more active role in fighting crime and maintaining order.
Personal Beliefs: Nixon's personal beliefs also influenced his civil rights policy. Nixon was a conservative Republican who believed in limited government and individual responsibility.

Nixon's civil rights politics were complex and often contradictory. He supported some civil rights legislation, but he also opposed others. He appointed some African Americans to high-ranking positions in his administration, but he also made statements that were seen as racist.

Nixon's civil rights policy was influenced by a variety of factors, including his Southern Strategy, his law and order platform, and his personal beliefs. Nixon's civil rights legacy is mixed. He supported some important civil rights legislation, but he also opposed other measures that were designed to promote racial equality.

Nixon’s Civil Rights: Politics, Principle, and Policy

by Dean J Kotlowski

5 out of 5