U.S. History - 1970’s

Watergate

Lesson 2

Nixon Popular foreign policy Unpopular War

“Enemy List”

Roots of WatergateThe Watergate scandal became huge when Carl and I started

reporting on the Nixon administration’s

attempts to cover up the break-in at the

DNC HQs.

I hate the radicals

and hippies

vs

The Break-InDate: June 17, 1972Goal:

Steal information from the Democratic Party’s headquarters to obtain sensitive campaign information Any edge to win reelection

The Team:CREEP = (CRP) = Committee to Re-elect the President

Purpose – raise funds for Nixon’s Campaign The White House Plumbers

Stop classified information from “leaking” to the news media

The Cover-Up

President orders a cover-upAsked the CIA to stop the FBI from investigating the source of the money to pay the burglars Claimed it would threaten national security

(CREEP – raised $500,000 to pay the burglars to keep silent)

Re-elected by 61%

The Cover-Up UnravelsJohn Dean – a member of the inner circle at the W.H.

“Nixon played an active role in covering up any White House Involvement”

Alexander Butterfield – W.H. aidNixon had a taping system installed in the W.H. (not the first President to do so)

The Case of the TapesThe Senate’s Select Committee on Presidential Campaign

Activities was holding the Watergate hearingsNeeded the tapes as evidenceExecutive Privilege – W.H. conversations should remain

confidential to protect national security

Vote to Impeach NixonHouse Judiciary Committee voted to impeach Nixon

(officially charge him of presidential misconduct)Charges:

Obstructed justice in the Watergate Cover-upMisused federal agencies to violate the rights of citizensDefied the authority of Congress by refusing to deliver the

tapes

Nixon Resigns August 9, 1974

Impact of Watergate

New Series of Laws Passed Designed to Limit the Power of the Executive Branch

In the 1970s Congress passed a number of laws aimed at reestablishing a greater balance of power in government

Federal Campaign Act Amendments limited campaign contributions and established an independent agency to place stricter laws on election issues

People left with an even deeper distrust in public officials