The Watergate Scandal: Nixon, Woodward, and the Cover-Up
The Watergate scandal was a political crisis that unfolded in the early 1970s, ultimately leading to President Nixon's resignation. It began with the break-in at the Democratic Party's office in the Watergate complex, followed by investigative reporting by Bob Woodward and the unraveling of a cover-up orchestrated by Nixon. The scandal involved illegal activities, a web of deceit, and a constitutional crisis that shook the nation.
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POLITICS AND ECONOMICS THE WATERGATE SCANDAL
THE ROOTS OF WATERGATE Mounting a Re-election Fight The president finishes triumphant trips to China and Soviet Union. Alabama governor George Wallace, mounted a strong third-party campaign in 1968, he dropped his bid for another run at the White House after an assassin's bullet paralyzed him. Nixon supporters broke into the party s office at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. They had intended to obtain sensitive campaign information.
THE ROOTS OF WATERGATE Bob Woodward, a young reporter for the Washington Post, broke the Watergate story. One of the men, James McCord, answered that he was retired from government service. Woodward would investigate and uncover a scandal that helped bring about a grave constitutional crises and eventually forced the president to resign.
THE ROOTS OF WATERGATE Nixon and His Enemies Richard Nixon fought hard to become president, he battled back from numerous political defeats. An enemies list filled with people-from politicians to members of the media-whom he considered a threat to his presidency.
THE ROOTS OF WATERGATE The Cover-Up Begins James McCord, was not only an ex-Cia official but also a member of the Committee for the Re- election of the president (CPR). President Nixon may not have ordered the break-in, but he did order a cover-up. Asked the CIA to intervene and stop the FBI from inquiring into the source of the money paid to the burglars. On Election Day, Nixon won re-election by one of the largest margins in history with nearly 61 percent of the popular vote.
THE COVER-UP UNRAVELS The First Cracks Show Watergate burglars went on trial. Federal Judge John J. Sirica, was the Senate s Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, which had been recently established under Senator Sam J. Ervin. John Dean, was a member of the inner circle of the White House who leveled allegations against Nixon himself.
THE COVER-UP UNRAVELS A Summer of Shocking Testimony John Dean testified before Senator Ervin s committee that former Attorney General John Mitchell had ordered the Watergate break-in. Alexander Butterfield testified that Nixon had ordered a taping system installed in the White House to record all conversations. For members of the committee, the tapes would tell them exactly what the president knew and when he knew it .
THE COVER-UP UNRAVELS The Case of the Tapes The Committee wanted access to the tapes, but Nixon refused pleading executive privilege. White house conversations should remain confidential to protect national security. Archibald Cox, took Nixon to court in October 1973 to force him to give up the recordings. Nixon clearly growing desperate, ordered Attorney General Elliot Richardson, and the then Richardson s deputy, to fire cox. Both men refused and resigned in protest. Solicitor General Robert Bork finally fired Cox. The incident became known as the Saturday Night Massacre
THE COVER-UP UNRAVELS Nixon Resigns President Nixon appointed a new special prosecutor, Texas lawyer Leon Jaworski, who proved no less determined than Cox to obtain the president s tapes. The house Judiciary Committee voted to impeach Nixon, or officially charge him of presidential misconduct. One of the Unedited tapes revealed that on June 23, 1972, just six days after the Watergate burglary , Nixon had ordered the CIA to stop the FBI s investigation of the break-in.
THE COVER-UP UNRAVELS The Case of the Tapes Gerald Ford, became the new vice president. Spiro Agnew, was forced to resign in disgrace. Investigators had discovered that Agnew had taken bribes from state contractors in an unrelated incident from Watergate.
THE IMPACT OF WATERGATE The Watergate crisis prompted a series of new laws intended to limit the power of the executive branch. The Federal Campaign Act Amendments limited campaign contributions and established an independent agency to administer stricter election laws. Watergate left many Americans with a deep distrust of their public officials.
ESSAY QUESTION Discuss Watergate s impact on government and Americans view of government. Include a discussion of at least three new laws or guidelines passed as a result of Watergate.
ESSAY QUESTION AND ANSWER Discuss Watergate s impact on government and Americans view of government. Include a discussion of at least three new laws or guidelines passed as a result of Watergate. The Watergate crisis prompt a series of new laws intended to limit the power of the executive branch and reestablish a greater balance of power in government. The Federal Campaign Acts Amendments limited campaign contributions and established an independence agency to administer stricter election laws. The Ethics in Government Act required financial discloser by high government officials in all three branches of government.
ESSAY QUESTION AND ANSWER CONTINUTED Discuss Watergate s impact on government and Americans view of government. Include a discussion of at least three new laws or guidelines passed as a result of Watergate. The FBI Domestic Security Investigation Guidelines restricted the bureau s political intelligence-gathering activities. After Watergate, Congress also established a mechanism for appointing an independent counsel to investigate and prosecute wrongdoing by high government officials. Despite these efforts, Watergate left many Americans with a deep distrust of their public officials. On the other hand, some Americans saw Watergate as proof that in the United States, no person is above the law.
