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Watergate Scandal: Key Events and Figures in U.S. Political History

The Watergate scandal was a pivotal moment in U.S. history, involving a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in 1972 and extensive cover-ups by President Nixon's administration. The "President's Men," a small group of loyal advisors, orchestrated the burglary to place wiretaps and silenced the burglars with payouts. The scandal escalated with Nixon's order during the "Saturday Night Massacre" and ultimately led to his resignation in 1974. The period also witnessed significant events like Nixon's trip to China and the Iran Hostage Crisis.

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Watergate Scandal: Key Events and Figures in U.S. Political History

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Bell Ringer #10 – 1/19/10 • Where was the Democratic National Committee headquarters in 1972? • What were burglars hired to do at Watergate? • Who is Nelson Mandela?

  2. “The President’s Men” • Small, loyal group of advisors • Shared Nixon’s desire for secrecy and power. Believed they were “above the law”

  3. The Burglary • At 2:30 a.m. on June 17, 1972, Watergate guard caught 5 men breaking into Dem. Nat. Committee headquarters • Were trying to place wiretaps, or “bugs” on the office telephones • Workers began shredding documents and passed out $450,000 to buy the burglars’ silence

  4. Chapstick tubes with hidden microphones.

  5. Nixon’s advisors helped plan the Watergate burglary • They also helped to cover it up

  6. Nixon Visits China • Nixon visited China in 1972 to try to normalize relations • Reversed 1949 American policy of ignoring China and Communism

  7. Saturday Night Massacre • October 1973 - Nixon still tried defend Watergate involvement • He ordered Attorney General Richardson to fire the prosecutor investigating Watergate • Richardson refused and resigned – an event known as “Saturday Night Massacre”

  8. Presidency Shifts • VP Spiro Agnew resigns. Faced with impeachment, Nixon resigns in 1974. • Nixon’s appointed VP, Gerald Ford, becomes President. Ford gave Nixon “Presidential Pardon” one month later!

  9. Ford’s Fall • Many Americans called Ford an “accidental President” • In 1976 Ford runs for re-election but loses to Dem. Jimmy Carter (1976-1980)

  10. Ayatollah Khomeini • In 1979 this Muslim leader led a revolution to take over Iran and overthrew the “Shah” • Khomeini established a government in Iran based on the Qur’an

  11. Iran Hostage Crisis • The Shah fled to U.S. for cancer treatment – this infuriated rebels in Iran • Angry Iranian students took over the U.S. embassy in Iran and took 52 Americans hostage for 444 days

  12. Earth Day • 1970s was a time of environmental awareness • Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970

  13. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) • Established in 1970 to set and enforce pollution standards • Today, the EPA deals with all environmental issues for the U.S.

  14. Homework • Read Ch 24, Sn 4 (pps 820-825) • Answer questions 1 & 4 on page 825

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