32.

2
The Watergate
Scandal
 WATERGATE SCANDAL
 The Roots of Watergate
Watergate originated from
Nixons administration attempts
to cover-up its involvement in
break-in at Democratic National
Committee headquarters during
Nixons re-election campaign.
 The Roots of Watergate
Number of people
attribute the scandal to
the atmosphere Nixon and
his advisers created in the
White House.
 Nixon and His Enemies
Nixon was
defensive, secretive
and resentful of
critics.
Nixon believed
enemies were out
to get his
administration.
Nixoncompiled an
enemys list filled
with people.
Mounting a Re-Election Fight
Nixonscampaign in
1972 wasnt a lock.
Nixons team engaged in a
host of subversive tactics,
from spying on opposition
rallies to spreading rumors
and false reports.
These tactics
included effort to
steal information from
Democratic Party and
Headquarters.
Mounting a Re-Election Fight
June 17, 1972 five
Nixon supporters broke
into Watergate
Complex.
Wanted to obtain
sensitive information
and place wire taps
on office telephones.
Security Guard
called the police.
 The Cover-Up Begins
Media discovered one of
the burglars, James
McCord- not only ex-CIA
but also a member of
Committee for Re-Election
of President. (CRP)
Reports soon surfaced
that burglars had been
paid to execute the
break-in from White
House.
 The Cover-Up Begins
Cover-up began: Administration
destroyed evidence- provided
false evidence.
Nixon sent CIA to tell FBI to stop
investigation.
 The Cover-Up Begins
White House still strongly
denied any involvement in
break-in.
Most Americans believed
President Nixon.
Nixon won re-election of 1972.
 The Cover-up Unravels
The First Cracks show-1973- Watergate
burglars went on trial.
James McCord agreed to cooperate.
Senator Sam J. Ervin- Senates Select
Committee on Presidential Campaign
Activities- parade of White House and
campaign officials exposed one illegality
after another.
 The Cover-up Unravels
John Dean-member of Nixons
inner circle who leveled
allegations against Nixon
himself.
 A Summer of Shocking
Testimony
Dean testified that Nixon had
played an active role in covering
up Watergate.
Alexander Butterfield- testified
that Nixon had ordered a taping
system installed in the White
House.
 The Case of the Tapes
All groups investigating sought access
to the tapes.
Executive privilege-Nixon claimed this-
the principle that White House
conversations should remain
confidential to protect national security.
Archibald Cox-special Prosecutor was
appointed-took court order to Nixon.
 Saturday Night
Massacre
Nixon ordered attorney General and his
assistant to fire Cox.
They refused.
Nixon fired them both.
Robert Bork finally fired Cox.
Badly damaged Nixons reputation.
 I'M NOT A CROOK SPEECH
 Fall 1973
Nixons Vice President was
forced to resign. Nixon per
25th Amendment
appointed Gerald Ford as
his VP.
 Nixon Resigns
April1974- Nixon released edited
transcripts.
Nixon handed over the tapes.
Several days later- House voted to
impeach Nixon.
August 9, 1974 Nixon resigned with
disgrace. Gerald Ford became
President.
 NIXON RESIGNS
 The Impact of Watergate
Prompted a series of new laws to
limit the power of the executive
branch.
Federal Campaign Act
Amendments-limited campaign
contributions and established an
independent agency to administer
stricter campaign laws.
 The Impact of Watergate
Ethics in Government Act-required
financial disclosure by high government
officials in all three branches of
government.
FBI Domestic Security
Investigations Guidelines
Restricted bureaus political-
intelligence gathering activities.
Congress established means for
appointing an independent
counsel to investigate and
prosecute wrongdoing by high
government officials.
 FBI Domestic Security
Investigations Guidelines
Watergate left many Americans
with deep distrust of public
officials.
Others saw it as proof in US-
nobody was above the law.
Most Americans attempted to put
the ordeal behind them.