Spiro T. Agnew
Spiro Theodore Agnew (1918–1996), the 39th Vice President of the United States, served under President Richard Nixon from 1969 to 1973. Known for his sharp rhetoric and staunch defense of conservative principles, Agnew became a polarizing figure in American politics during a tumultuous era marked by the Vietnam War, civil rights struggles, and cultural upheaval. However, his tenure as Vice President ended in disgrace when he resigned in 1973 amid charges of corruption.
Early Life and Education
Spiro Agnew was born on November 9, 1918, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Theodore and Margaret Akers Agnew. His father, a Greek immigrant originally named Anagnostopoulos, operated a diner, while his mother, of Scottish-Irish descent, was a homemaker. Agnew grew up in a middle-class household, navigating the challenges of the Great Depression and developing a strong sense of discipline and ambition (Bowman, 1973).
Agnew attended public schools in Baltimore before enrolling at Johns Hopkins University in 1937 to study chemistry. However, financial difficulties forced him to leave after one year, and he worked in various jobs, including as an insurance salesman. In 1940, he enrolled at the University of Baltimore School of Law, attending classes at night while working during the day. Agnew’s education was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the U.S. Army as a quartermaster officer. After the war, he returned to law school, graduating in 1947 and establishing a legal practice in Baltimore County (Sinclair, 1973).
Entry into Politics
Agnew’s political career began in the 1950s, when he became involved in local Republican politics in Baltimore County. A moderate Republican, he initially focused on pragmatic issues such as zoning, infrastructure, and public safety. In 1957, he was appointed to the Baltimore County Board of Zoning Appeals, a position that allowed him to build relationships within the local political establishment (Sinclair, 1973).
In 1962, Agnew was elected Baltimore County Executive, the first Republican to hold the position in over 50 years. As county executive, he gained a reputation for his administrative skills and his efforts to modernize the county government. He also supported civil rights measures, including the desegregation of public facilities and housing, which positioned him as a progressive voice within the Maryland Republican Party (Bowman, 1973).
Governorship of Maryland
Agnew’s success as county executive propelled him to statewide office. In 1966, he ran for governor of Maryland, campaigning as a moderate Republican committed to bipartisanship and reform. He won a narrow victory over Democrat George Mahoney, whose segregationist platform alienated many voters. Agnew’s victory reflected the growing appeal of suburban moderates in American politics (Sinclair, 1973).
As governor (1967–1969), Agnew continued to advocate for civil rights and governmental reform. He signed legislation to improve public education, expand healthcare access, and address urban poverty. However, his tenure was also marked by growing tensions over race and civil unrest. In 1968, following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., riots erupted in Baltimore. Agnew’s handling of the crisis, including his criticism of African American leaders whom he accused of failing to quell the violence, drew both praise and condemnation. This moment marked a turning point in Agnew’s political career, as he shifted from moderate bipartisanship to a more confrontational, conservative approach (Bowman, 1973).
Vice Presidency
In 1968, Richard Nixon selected Agnew as his running mate in the presidential election. Nixon’s choice was seen as a strategic move to appeal to Southern and suburban voters, who were disenchanted with the Democratic Party’s stance on civil rights and social issues. The Nixon-Agnew ticket won a decisive victory, ushering in a new era of Republican dominance (Mollenhoff, 1973).
Agnew was inaugurated as Vice President on January 20, 1969. Unlike many of his predecessors, who played largely ceremonial roles, Agnew became an active participant in the Nixon administration’s political strategy. He was tasked with rallying conservative support for the administration’s policies, particularly its efforts to combat crime, curb antiwar protests, and promote a “silent majority” of Americans who supported traditional values (Sinclair, 1973).
Agnew’s fiery rhetoric and willingness to confront critics made him a polarizing figure. He famously referred to journalists as “nattering nabobs of negativism” and derided antiwar activists as “an effete corps of impudent snobs.” These speeches, often written by Nixon’s aides William Safire and Pat Buchanan, solidified Agnew’s role as the administration’s chief spokesman against liberalism and dissent (Bowman, 1973).
Scandal and Resignation
While Agnew’s public profile grew, his political career unraveled behind the scenes. In 1973, a federal investigation revealed that Agnew had accepted bribes and kickbacks during his tenure as Baltimore County Executive, Governor of Maryland, and Vice President. The payments, often in cash, were linked to contractors seeking government contracts. Agnew denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated, but the evidence against him mounted (Mollenhoff, 1973).
Facing the prospect of indictment and impeachment, Agnew resigned as Vice President on October 10, 1973, becoming the first vice president in U.S. history to resign under criminal charges. He later pleaded no contest to a single count of tax evasion, avoiding jail time but paying a fine and being disbarred from practicing law. Agnew’s resignation marked a major scandal in American politics, overshadowing his achievements and casting a long shadow over the Nixon administration (Sinclair, 1973).
Post-Political Life
After leaving office, Agnew withdrew from public life, focusing on private business ventures and writing. In 1980, he published a memoir, Go Quietly… or Else, in which he defended his actions and criticized his political opponents. He also pursued business interests in the energy and real estate sectors, though these endeavors were often marred by controversy and legal disputes (Bowman, 1973).
Agnew remained a polarizing figure in American politics, with some viewing him as a victim of partisan politics and others as a symbol of corruption and abuse of power. In his later years, he lived a relatively quiet life in Ocean City, Maryland, where he died on September 17, 1996, at the age of 77 (Sinclair, 1973).
Final Summary
Spiro T. Agnew’s life and career reflect the complexities of American politics during a transformative era. From his rise as a moderate Republican in Maryland to his tenure as a fiery and polarizing Vice President, Agnew embodied both the aspirations and the pitfalls of public service. While his political achievements, particularly his advocacy for civil rights as governor, showcased his potential as a leader, his resignation in disgrace underscored the enduring challenges of integrity and accountability in government. Agnew’s legacy remains a cautionary tale of ambition, controversy, and the fragile nature of political power.
References
Bowman, D. (1973). Spiro Agnew and the Fall of the Vice Presidency. New York: Harper & Row.
Mollenhoff, C. (1973). The Man Who Would Be President: Spiro Agnew. New York: Harper & Row.
Sinclair, A. (1973). The Vice Presidency of Spiro Agnew. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Safire, W. (1975). Before the Fall: An Inside View of the Pre-Watergate White House. Garden City, NY: Doubleday.
White, T. H. (1975). The Making of the President 1968. New York: Atheneum.