Richard M. Nixon resigned early in his second term rather than face Congressional impeachment over the Watergate scandal. Controversy followed Richard Nixon. He achieved victory in his first congressional campaign by falsely accusing his opponent of being a communist, and as a Freshman congressman, he gained fame by pursuing suspected communists in government. He was Eisenhower's Vice President, and won the Presidency in the midst of the turmoil over the war in Vietnam. Although he established relations with Communist China during his administration, a major accomplishment, he continues to be known for the Watergate break-in that destroyed his Presidency.