Educating Young People about the Constitution

Presidents and the Constitution, Vol. 2 Impeachment and the Constitution: Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal

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Presidents and the Constitution Resources

In order to impeach a President of the United States members of Congress must try him for high crimes and misdemeanors The Constitution, however, does not define high crimes and misdemeanors. What does that phrase mean to you? What does it mean to your friends? Directions: Read Dr. Stuart Leibigers essay. Underline or highlight the facts you think are important.

Impeachment and the Constitution

Constitutional Connection Activity

Nixon and the Watergate Scandal

Critical Engagement Question To what extent was Nixons use of executive privilege consistent with precedent and with the Constitution?

Objectives Understand the events of the Watergate scandal. Analyze several Presidents use of executive privilege. Evaluate President Richard Nixons assertion of executive privilege.

Nixon campaigning for his second term as President

Nixon and the Watergate Scandal

Background/Homework Read Handout A: Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal and answer the following questions.

Nixon and the Watergate Scandal

Nixons resignation speech in the White House Critical Thinking Questions 1. What were the Watergate burglaries and what was their purpose? 2. What was the Watergate Scandal? 3. Why was the disclosure that Nixon recorded all his conversations so important to the investigation? 4. What is executive privilege? How did the Supreme Court rule concerning Nixons assertions of executive privilege? 5. To what extent did the Constitutional systems of separation of powers and checks and balances function appropriately in the case of Richard Nixon?
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Nixon and the Watergate Scandal

Warm-Up Complete Handout B: A Brief History of Executive Privilege in the United States Discuss your answers; ignoring question 5 for now. Share your rule for executive privilege. Vote for the best one.

Nixon and the Watergate Scandal

Activity Summarize the facts of the Watergate Scandal and Nixons claim of executive privilege on Handout B. Debate whether Nixons claim for executive privilege was consistent with the class rule everyone voted on. Review U.S. v. Nixon from Handout A. Do you agree with the courts ruling? Why or why not?

Nixon and his advisors in the Oval Office, 1970

Nixon and the Watergate Scandal

Wrap-Up Review Handout C: Herblock Watergate Cartoons. For each cartoon, answer the following questions: 1. What is the date of the cartoon and why is that significant? 2. What symbolism do you note in the cartoon 3. Do you think this cartoon helped people in 1974 to understand the Watergate scandal and its constitutional issues? 4. To what extent does the cartoon help you understand the scandal and its constitutional issues.

May 31, 1974

Nixon and the Watergate Scandal

Evaluate Was Nixons claim regarding executive privilege consistent with precedent and with the Constitution?

Nixons Letter of Resignation. August 9, 1974

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Nixon and the Watergate Scandal

Homework Play a recording of Representative Barbara Jordans 1974 speechavailable by Googling Barbara Jordans 1974 speech (or read the transcript below the video). Make a list of the quotations Jordan cites from the Constitutional Convention and Ratifying Conventions of various states, as well as from later individuals. Summarize each quotation and explain how it applies or does not apply to the accusations against Nixon.

Barbara Jordan 1976

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Nixon and the Watergate Scandal

The Issues Endure Write five questions to interview family or faculty members who remember the events of the Watergate scandal. Record the interview and share what you learned.

Rose Mary Woods (Nixons Secretary)

President Ford at the House Judiciary subcommittee hearing regarding the pardon of Nixon
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Nixon and the Watergate Scandal

Extensions One month after Nixons resignation, President Ford issued a complete pardon for any crimes that Nixon may have committed as President. See the lesson on Nixon and Ford in this volumes Transfer of Power unit to learn more about that episode in our nations history.
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Richard Nixons Departure

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