How did the backgrounds and individual personalities of Presidents Johnson, Nixon, and Carter shape their successes and failures as national leaders?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The ideal answer should include:
1. Johnson had a background as a legislator and a belief in himself – this led to success in other areas, but an unwillingness to admit failure in Vietnam.
2. Nixon thought that he could win the war in Vietnam, which led him to continue the war there, but his conservatism allowed him to approach Communist China.
3. Nixon also moved the United States toward a more conservative path at home as he aimed for re-election. But he did champion some liberal efforts too, like the Environmental Protection Agency.
4. Nixon always aimed for a political advantage, which resulted in his ignoring the economic crisis of the early 1970s.
5. Carter believed in a moral path, which led him to make a moral call for a different energy policy, which failed.
6. However, he did have some success overseas, like the Camp David Accords, which led to peace between Egypt and Israel. He was ultimately undone by circumstances beyond his control, most notably the Iran hostage crisis.