Megan BullResearch PaperThomas6 March 2014The Corruption of Richard Nixon: From Quaker Boy to Resigned PresidentRichard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, grew up on a farm in Yorba Linda, California. Born January 9, 1913. He grew up in a Quaker family who ran a lemon farm. After moving to Whittier, Nixon attended Whittier High School and proved to be an excellent student. He excelled in history and civics. After completing high school, Nixon was offered the opportunity to apply for scholarships at institutions such as Harvard and Yale, but he decided to attend a small Quaker college, Whittier College, and be closer to home. After losing his second brother, Nixon was said to have thrown himself into studies as if to "compensate for his brother's death". (Peterson, 2005, p. 1). Nixon graduated from Whittier College second in his class. He then received a scholarship to Duke University School of Law. While living there he led a very simple life, staying in small rented rooms and showering in the men's bathrooms. He finished at Duke third in a class of 44 in 1937. In December 1941 Nixon took a job with the Office of Price Administration working in the tire rationing division. He chose this job because it put him in Washington and gave him a great opportunity to learn about government. After disappointingly completing this job, he decided to join the Navy, saying he felt obligated to serve his country. Nixon's parents did not approve of his decision due to their Quaker beliefs. When he was discharged from the Navy in 1946, Nixon decided to run for political office in California. This is where Nixon began his debut in the world of politics. Nixon's childhood shows that he was a good, selfless, and hard-working man... middle of paper... section Nixon went on to serve as vice president for eight years, traveling abroad as a national ambassador. Nixon won the Republican nomination for the upcoming presidential election and competed against John F. Kennedy. Nixon lost the election to Kennedy and returned to California to run for governor in 1962. He ran against Pat Brown and ended up losing the election. Nixon's political career took a break for a while after his defeat as governor. After a hiatus from politics, Nixon announced that he would run for president in 1968 and chose Spiro Agnew, governor of Maryland, as his running mate. In his campaign, Nixon promised to end the 11-year Vietnam War. His promise and familiarity with the people helped him win the election against Hubert Humphrey and by a narrow margin he became President of the United States.