NIXON, WATERGATE, & FORD

1970’s Political Issues & Scandals

Too much Power?

President Richard Nixon was the leader of our nation from 1969-1974. The power of the President reached its

highest peak under President Nixon. Radio and TV increased the President’s ability

to speak directly to voters as technology was now present more than ever.

The public view of Nixon was different than those who worked in Washington DC. His political opponents felt Nixon was only focused on how to gain power for himself. This was displayed in various ways.

Nixon failed to consult with Congress about international issues involving the U.S. He also used public funds to remodel his private homes and used the CIA and FBI to collect information about his political enemies.

Nixon and the Communists

Since the end of World War II, the U.S. had refused to establish diplomatic relations with either country.

Nixon was a strong anti-Communist, however he wanted to create a more predictable situation in Asia compared to events that almost led to nuclear war. (Korean & Vietnam Wars, Cuban Missile Crisis)

Nixon’s most important role was allowing communication to occur between the leaders of China, the Soviet Union, and the United States.

Nixon and China

President Nixon announced to the United States on TV he planned on visiting Communist China.

Nixon became the first U.S. President to visit China.

His goal in meeting with the leaders of China was to “exchange views on questions of concern”, “return to normalization” and “reduce tensions” between the countries.

Visit to China Reopening relations with China was

Nixon’s greatest foreign policy achievement.

As a symbolic gesture between the two leaders of a successful meeting, China gave the United States two pandas, Ling Ling and Xing Xing.

Nixon and the Soviet Union

President Nixon believed strongly in the policy of détente (relaxing of tensions) Nixon wanted to stop the

build-up of nuclear weapons. He became the first

President to visit Moscow where the Soviets signed an agreement with the U.S. Terms of the agreement were

the U.S. would sell American grain to help the Soviets food shortage and the Soviets would limit the development of defensive missile systems.

Nixon’s First Term End

President Nixon’s first term had ended. It was viewed as a positive success due

to progress on Vietnam War and relations with China and the Soviet Union.

Nixon would run for re-election in 1972 facing Democratic opponent George McGovern, a senator from South Dakota.

Presidential Election of 1972

McGovern Presidential Ad (CLICK HERE)

What was the ad informing the public about President Nixon?

How did the ad say the people put an end to it?

Presidential Election of 1972

Nixon Presidential Ad (CLICK HERE)

What are 3 reasons the youth of America should consider re-electing him?

Which campaign ad shows a more positive view? Why?

Election of 1972

Nixon defeats the Democratic nominee George McGovern.

The win was one of the biggest presidential victories in U.S. history.

The re-elected president won every electoral college vote in all by 2 states, Massachusetts and D.C.

1972 Election Results

The Crisis Begins Americans soon learned their

own government was corrupt. In 1973, Nixon’s Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned.

It was discovered he had taken bribes when he was the Governor of Maryland.

Under the 25th Amendment, Nixon now had to appoint a new Vice-President. Gerald Ford, a Michigan Congressman was chosen to serve as his new Vice-President.

The Watergate Scandal

After the resignation of Vice-President Agnew, an even greater scandal begin to surface.

In 1972, a group of former CIA agents were part of Nixon’s campaign team. They were working to help him be

re-elected as President and arrested for breaking into the Watergate complex in Washington D.C..

The Watergate was the Democratic Party headquarters of Nixon’s opponent McGovern.

The Cover Up Two reporters from the

Washington Post Newspaper were the first to report possible links between the break in and the White House. As a result Congress created a

committee to investigate the incident.

A hearing (meeting) was called to discover what role President Nixon might have played in the Watergate break in.

President Nixon tried to cover up an investigation of the Watergate break in, claiming it was an issue of “National Security”

The Watergate Tapes

In the Senate hearings, a Presidential assistant stated that Nixon had participated in trying to cover up his role in the Watergate break in. The assistant told Congress

that Nixon secretly recorded all of his own White House conversations.

The Senate knew the “secret” tapes could prove Nixon’s involvement in the Watergate Scandal and demanded Nixon to hand over all tapes.

Watergate Scandal gets deeper.

Nixon claimed he had “Executive Privilege” as the President of the U.S. and refused to hand over the tapes. He claimed Congress had no

authority to question members of the executive branch (White House) without Presidential approval.

Due to the President’s failure to cooperate, the Supreme Court heard the United States v. Nixon case in 1974.

United States v. Nixon The U.S. Supreme Court

ruled that Nixon must turn over the tapes to Congress.

The ruling was based on the Constitutional principle that no one is above the law, including the President.

The “Secret Tapes” were now handed over to the Senate Committee handling the investigation of Watergate.

Nixon’s statement after US v. Nixon

Nixon Video Clip (CLICK HERE)

Pay attention to the President’s attitude and assume the reason for this attitude as you watch.

The Secret Tapes When President Nixon turned over some of the

secret tapes, some of the conversations were missing. One tape had a gap of 18 minutes and was blamed on

“accidental” erasure by Nixon’s secretary. Americans believed the missing conversations

were part of an effort for Nixon to hide evidence. As the investigation continued, the tapes proved

Nixon had a desire to punish political opponents and to slow the Watergate investigation.

Nixon’s supporters begin to suggest he step down or face the being impeached (removed) as President by the Senate

Nixon Cartoon

Impeachment Trial Begins When the tapes were made public,

they revealed Nixon had lied when he said he was not involved in the cover-up.

The U.S. Congress voted to begin impeachment trial of President Nixon.

Members of the Republican Party told Nixon removal from office would occur without a doubt and a liability they Republicans could not afford.

Nixon had to determine if he wanted to go through with the impeachment trial or resign from office.

August 8, 1974 address

Nixon Video Clip (CLICK HERE) Start @ 1:20 mark if it doesn’t load there.

As you watch the clip think: Did Nixon tell the truth when he made this

statement?

Final Address

On August 8, 1974, Nixon gave his final address to the United States.

He became the first President and only one to ever resign.

Nixon Leaves

Impact of Watergate

Lower public confidence in Government

Showed the growth of Presidential power created new ways for abuse.

The Supreme Court determines the law of the land based on the Constitution, not the President.

Video Clip

Watergate Scandal (CLICK HERE)

As you watch the clip, pay attention to the role journalists from the Washington Post had on Watergate.

Ford becomes President

Gerald Ford became the next President. Ford had never been elected as

President, but was appointed as Nixon’s Vice President when Spiro Agnew was forced to resign.

One of Ford’s first acts as President was to pardon Nixon for any crimes he had committed.

Excerpt from Ford’s Autobiography

“I simply was not convinced that the country wanted to see an ex-President behind bars. We are not a vengeful people; forgiveness is one of the roots of the American tradition. And Nixon, in my opinion, had already suffered enormously….But I wasn’t motivated by concern over the state of his health. It was the state of the country’s health at home and around the world that worried me…”

Frost/Nixon Interview

President Nixon decided to conduct an interview with reporter David Frost in 1977.

Nixon was interested in being interviewed and would be paid $600,00 along with 20% of the profits made from the interview.

12 interviews occurred and were cut down to 4 90 minute episodes.

When the episodes aired, 45 million viewers watched.

Last part of Frost / Nixon Interview (CLICK HERE)