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Understanding Watergate: The Downfall of Nixon and Its Impact on American Politics

This lesson delves into the intricate details of Richard Nixon's presidency, focusing on his domestic and foreign policy goals, and the pivotal Watergate scandal that led to his resignation. Students will explore Nixon's personality traits, key domestic initiatives, and the concept of realpolitik in foreign policy. The timeline of Watergate events and its aftermath demonstrate the erosion of public trust in government, the balancing of powers, and how these events shaped future presidential administrations. Understanding Watergate is essential to grasp the lasting effects it had on American politics.

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Understanding Watergate: The Downfall of Nixon and Its Impact on American Politics

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Watergate & Forgettable Years Unit 5 Lesson 9 (Section 32.3- 32.5)

  2. Objectives • Review Nixon’s domestic & foreign policy goals. • Identify key elements of the Watergate scandal that led to his resignation.

  3. Warm Up • How did Nixon’s personality influence his administration? • Withdrawn, Secretive & Insecure = Small group advisors • Believed in power of govt, law & order, respect • Hated to lose = Enemies list, Vietnam, Watergate…

  4. Review • What were Nixon’s major domestic goals? • Reduce inflation • New Federalism – decrease size & role fed govt • Strengthen law & order • Southern Strategy – slow civil rights, appt conservative justices • What is realpolitik and how did it influence Nixon’s foreign policy? • Kissinger - evaluate nation’s power, not poly leaning, in determining threats • Withdrew Vietnam • Eased tensions with China & USSR (Détente)

  5. Nixon’s Downfall • Suspicion and Deceit • Not enough credit for accomplishments • Fear of losing • “Enemies List” • “Plumbers” stop leaks w/wiretaps of staff and reporters, mail

  6. CREEP • Committee to Reelect the President • John Mitchell • Fund-raising • G. Gordon Liddy • Dirty Tricks • Fake letters, gossip • Hecklers • Spies

  7. Watergate • DNC headquarters • June 17, 1972 “Burglary” • Tap phones • Photograph strategies • CAUGHT…with CREEP $!!!!!!

  8. Activity: The Cover Up • Use the reading handout to complete the timeline of major Watergate events. • Video: • http://youtu.be/nFID6Qkwh88

  9. Effects of Watergate • Nixon resigns in light of impeachment • 69 charged, 48 guilty • 25 ppl in admin serve prison terms • American public is disillusioned w/govt • Balance of powers  • Media is cynical about public officials

  10. Who was Deep Throat? • 5-31-2005 • FBI Deputy Dir Mark Felt • Widely suspected from start • Didn’t like Nixon or his men • Nixon didn’t out him b/c Felt knew too much about too many ppl & events

  11. The Unlikely President • Aug 8, 1974 • VP Gerald Ford becomes 1st non-elected President • Nation distrusts govt • Angry Congress • Unstable economy

  12. Ford’s Foibles • Watergate Scandal • Pardon costs support • Economic Troubles • Recession, “WIN” • Combative Congress • Veto (66x’s) • Cold War Tensions • Détente, Helsinki Accords • SE Asia • Vietnam Falls, Khmer Rouge in Cambodia (War Powers Act)

  13. Mr. Carter, Peanut Farmer • DC outsider • Religious man • Plain spoken, but intelligent • Informal, low-key image

  14. Domestic Issues DC Outsider Inexperience, lack support Economy Inflation: Deficits, then social cuts Deregulation “Misery Index” Civil Rights Bakke & Affirm Action Environment 3 Mile Island Energy Crisis DOE, NEA, conservation OPEC shortages, lines, prices Foreign Policy Human Rights Middle East Camp David Accords Soviet Union SALT II, Afghan Invasion = 1980 Olympic Boycott, end detente IRAN HOSTAGE CRISIS 52 taken @ US embassy Held 444 days Failed rescue attempt = 8 dead Released day Reagan took office Carter’s Conundrums

  15. Closure • How did Watergate define Nixon’s presidency? What was its significance?

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