Upload
molimo
View
23
Download
0
Tags:
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Watergate. The biggest political scandal to hit the United States 1972-1974. Background. Richard Nixon elected President in 1968 Reelection approaching in 1972 Paranoia of Nixon losing political race because of the Vietnam War - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Citation preview
WatergateThe biggest political scandal to hit
the United States1972-1974
Background
• Richard Nixon elected President in 1968
• Reelection approaching in 1972
• Paranoia of Nixon losing political race because of the Vietnam War
• Nixon and his aides began a plan of slander towards the democratic party
What is Watergate
• Watergate is used to describe the scandal that began in the Watergate Hotel in Washington D.C.
• This hotel is where the Democratic National Committee met
• This hotel was broken into and burglarized on June 17, 1972
Watergate
• Nixon’s team planted surveillance devices in the Watergate Hotel
• They were caught breaking in and began to cover up any involvement
Burglary
• Five men were arrested at the Watergate complex
• Two other men faced charges-also White House aides.
• The “Watergate Seven”
Executive Privilege
• Tapes began being used in 1971 in the Oval Office so that conversations would be recorded.
• Nixon was accused of involvement and asked to turn over the tapes.
• Refused because of “Executive Privilege”
Executive Privilege
• Supreme Court instructed Nixon to surrender the tapes
• Months later Nixon finally releases some of the tapes
• One tape is found to have an 18 minute gap
Tapes
• Nixon’s secretary, Rose Mary Woods denies deliberately erasing the tapes
• There are calls for Nixon to resign and Congress seriously considers impeachment
Nixon
• Nixon releases more edited transcripts of tapes
• Public is shocked with information on the tapes
• Nixon’s foul language a shock
Nixon and more tapes
• Nixon releases more tapes that prove he ordered the cover-up of the Watergate burglary, six days after the break-in
• He admits he knew of the scandal and that it was geared towards Campaign for Re-election of the President
Impeachment
• It is clear that Nixon will be impeached
• Nixon resigned, the first president to do so
• Gerald Ford becomes the 38th president
How did the public learn of the story?
• Reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, reporters for the Washington Post
• Became the most famous journalists of the 20th century
Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein
How they got their story
• First story about the break-ins was in June 1972
• Most newspapers dismissed the story• Woodward teamed with Bernstein • Together they raised the issue of the link
between the burglars and President Nixon's reelection committee with their first report for the Watergate scandal.
The Source
• The source was not identified for 30 years
• Source was called “Deep Throat”
Finally reveals himself
• Mark Felt (91) finally reveals himself after 30 years as “Deep Throat”
• He wanted to stay an unindentified source because he worked for the FBI
Unidentified Source
• “I hope you understand that I gave my word that this source would not be identified unless he changed his mind. He has not, and a reporter's ability to keep the bond of confidentiality often enables him to learn the hidden or secret aspects of government.”– Bob Woodward
How long it took
• “I believe Watergate shows that the system did work. Particularly the Judiciary and the Congress, and ultimately an independent prosecutor working in the Executive Branch,” Bob Woodward.
• It took 26 months for the final truth to be known.
• Bob Woodward Interview
Historic Event
• Two years and eight days after the first report broke out, President Nixon appeared on TV screen for his resignation speech.
• Woodward and Bernstein won most of major journalism award, including the Pulitzer Prize.
• They coauthored two best sellers, 'All the President Men' (1974)