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The Watergate Scandal: Nixon's Downfall and Its Impact on American Politics

The Watergate scandal, rooted in Richard Nixon's relentless pursuit of re-election, unfolded from a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters to a cover-up that involved high-level officials and illegal activities. Nixon, facing fierce political opposition amid rising tensions from the Vietnam War, Cambodia, and domestic unrest, ordered the break-in to steal sensitive information. Despite winning the 1972 election, revelations of the cover-up led to his downfall. Nixon's eventual resignation in 1974 transformed public trust in government and resulted in significant reforms in campaign finance.

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The Watergate Scandal: Nixon's Downfall and Its Impact on American Politics

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  1. Nixon and Watergate

  2. Seeking Reelection • Election Context • Political defeats • Cambodia • Race riots • Protestors • Vietnam War • Enemies List- list of people (politicians, media, radicals, etc.) he considered a threat to his presidency • Worried about losing the election • Spy on rallies and spread rumors about Democratic opponents

  3. Watergate Hotel • Nixon’s advisers order five men to break in to the Democratic National Convention headquarters (at Watergate hotel complex) • Steal sensitive campaign information • Plant wiretaps on phones • Security guard calls police • Burglars arrested

  4. Watergate Cover-Up • James McCord- ex-CIA officer and member of the Committee for the Re-election of the President (CRP) • Had been paid from a CRP fund controlled by the White House • White House officials destroy documents and give false testimony • Nixon orders cover-up • Officials ask CIA to stop FBI investigation • FBI director, Mark Felt, leaks information to Washington Post

  5. Election of 1972 • Nixon dismisses break-in • Tells public the White House had no involvement • Nixon wins reelection with 61% of popular vote

  6. Watergate Trial • 1973, Watergate burglars go on trial • John Dean- presidential counsel, implicates Nixon’s involvement • John Mitchell ordered break-in • Nixon covered up the White House involvement • Nixon denied charges • Tapes of Nixon’s phone conversations discovered

  7. Watergate Tapes • Nixon refused to hand over the tapes • Executive privilege- White House conversations should remain confidential to protect national security • Nixon fires the lawyer (Archibald Cox) who tried to force him to give up the tapes • Damages his reputation with the public • Vice President Spiro Agnew forced to resign • Took bribes as governor and Vice President • Gerald Ford becomes new VP

  8. Nixon Resigns • Supreme Court rules Nixon has to give up tapes • House Judiciary Committee votes to impeach Nixon (officially charge him with misconduct) • Obstructing justice in Watergate cover-up • Misuse of federal agencies to violates rights of citizens • Defying Congress by refusing to cooperate • August 9, 1974- Nixon resigns in disgrace • Gerald Ford takes oath of office

  9. Impact • Federal Campaign Act- limits campaign contributions and stricter election laws • No one is above the law • Deep distrust of government

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