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Watergate

Watergate. The biggest political scandal to hit the United States 1972-1974. Background. Richard Nixon elected President in 1968 Reelection approaching in 1972 Paranoia of Nixon losing political race because of the Vietnam War

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Watergate

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  1. Watergate The biggest political scandal to hit the United States 1972-1974

  2. Background • Richard Nixon elected President in 1968 • Reelection approaching in 1972 • Paranoia of Nixon losing political race because of the Vietnam War • Nixon and his aides began a plan of slander towards the democratic party

  3. What is Watergate • Watergate is used to describe the scandal that began in the Watergate Hotel in Washington D.C. • This hotel is where the Democratic National Committee met • This hotel was broken into and burglarized on June 17, 1972

  4. Watergate • Nixon’s team planted surveillance devices in the Watergate Hotel • They were caught breaking in and began to cover up any involvement

  5. Burglary • Five men were arrested at the Watergate complex • Two other men faced charges-also White House aides. • The “Watergate Seven”

  6. Executive Privilege • Tapes began being used in 1971 in the Oval Office so that conversations would be recorded. • Nixon was accused of involvement and asked to turn over the tapes. • Refused because of “Executive Privilege”

  7. Executive Privilege • Supreme Court instructed Nixon to surrender the tapes • Months later Nixon finally releases some of the tapes • One tape is found to have an 18 minute gap

  8. Tapes • Nixon’s secretary, Rose Mary Woods denies deliberately erasing the tapes • There are calls for Nixon to resign and Congress seriously considers impeachment

  9. Nixon • Nixon releases more edited transcripts of tapes • Public is shocked with information on the tapes • Nixon’s foul language a shock

  10. Nixon and more tapes • Nixon releases more tapes that prove he ordered the cover-up of the Watergate burglary, six days after the break-in • He admits he knew of the scandal and that it was geared towards Campaign for Re-election of the President

  11. Impeachment • It is clear that Nixon will be impeached • Nixon resigned, the first president to do so • Gerald Ford becomes the 38th president

  12. How did the public learn of the story? • Reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, reporters for the Washington Post • Became the most famous journalists of the 20th century Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein

  13. How they got their story • First story about the break-ins was in June 1972 • Most newspapers dismissed the story • Woodward teamed with Bernstein • Together they raised the issue of the link between the burglars and President Nixon's reelection committee with their first report for the Watergate scandal.

  14. The Source • The source was not identified for 30 years • Source was called “Deep Throat”

  15. Finally reveals himself • Mark Felt (91) finally reveals himself after 30 years as “Deep Throat” • He wanted to stay an unindentified source because he worked for the FBI

  16. Unidentified Source • “I hope you understand that I gave my word that this source would not be identified unless he changed his mind. He has not, and a reporter's ability to keep the bond of confidentiality often enables him to learn the hidden or secret aspects of government.” • Bob Woodward

  17. How long it took • “I believe Watergate shows that the system did work. Particularly the Judiciary and the Congress, and ultimately an independent prosecutor working in the Executive Branch,” Bob Woodward. • It took 26 months for the final truth to be known. • Bob Woodward Interview

  18. Historic Event • Two years and eight days after the first report broke out, President Nixon appeared on TV screen for his resignation speech.

  19. Woodward and Bernstein won most of major journalism award, including the Pulitzer Prize. • They coauthored two best sellers, 'All the President Men' (1974)

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