The Watergate Scandal

Task: Analyze this cartoon, in three sentences tell me what you think is going on.

Watergate scandal rocked the USA in early 1970s. Phases of Watergate Watergate scandal rocked the USA in early 1970s. Let’s examine it in four phases: Phase 1: CREEP Phase 2: Did Nixon Know? Phase 3: Battle For The Tapes Phase 4: The End

Phase 1: CREEP suspected 17 June 1972: Five ‘burglars’ arrested in Democratic Party Head Quarters in Watergate Hotel Not stealing, but planting bugging devices One was former CIA agent All linked to Committee for the Re-election of the President (CREEP)

FBI investigates CREEP John Mitchell, CREEP director, used ‘dirty tricks’ to discredit Democrats Two Washington Post reporters Woodward and Bernstein pursued their own investigation Nixon denied he or close advisors were involved

Nov. 1972: Nixon won landslide election Nixon thought Watergate was behind him He was wrong

Phase 2: Did Nixon Know? January 1973: Watergate burglars on trial All found guilty One claimed White House involved Nixon reacts: Denied allegation Appointed Archibald Cox as special Watergate prosecutor

Senate investigates: May-Nov. 1973: Televised independent Senate investigation Three of Nixon’s advisors resigned One, John Dean (member of White House Counsel), claimed he discussed burglary at least 35 times with Nixon Nixon denied any involvement, fired Dean (White House Counsel member are appointed by the president)

Phase 3: Battle for the Tapes Nixon’s tapes Senate Investigation revealed Nixon recorded all conversations in oval office since 1971 Senate & Cox wanted tapes Nixon refused, citing “presidential privilege”

Phase 3: Battle for the Tapes 20 October 1973: “Saturday Night Massacre” Nixon ordered Attorney General to fire Cox He refuses, then resigns under pressure New special investigator, Leon Jaworski who also demands the tapes Nixon released some tapes, but 18 ½ crucial minutes had been “accidentally” erased April 1974: Battle over tapes continued Nixon released 1200 heavily edited pages Jaworski appealed to Supreme court

Phase 4: The End Supreme Court ordered tapes turned over 27 July 1974: House Judiciary Committee voted to impeach Nixon for obstruction of justice 8 August: Nixon resigned to avoid impeachment President Ford pardoned him

The Aftermath Congress passed laws due to scandal Privacy Act (1974): Americans can inspect government files on them Budget Act (1974): President has to account for all money spent (Nixon believed to have spent millions of government money on personal properties & evaded $400,000 of taxes) Election Campaign Act: Limited campaign contributions; Limiting the influence of wealthy individuals and special interest groups on the outcome of federal elections Scandal utterly destroyed Nixon’s reputation Nicknamed “Tricky Dick” and sadly most achievements are forgotten

Watergate’s deeper damage Undermined America’s confidence in government Press turned from hiding info to seeking scandal Confidence & idealism of 60’s replaced with skepticism and doubt

Watergate’s impact on Americans? Study these three cartoons, which do you think makes the following points? (Write these three things down in your notebook) Nixon is a liar America is in crisis Don ‘t trust politicians

Cartoon # 1

Cartoon # 2

Cartoon # 3

One day the two of you see a newspaper headline of Nixon’s resignation The skeptic turns and says, “Well, it’s about time! Tricky Dick sure was a crook!” The optimist replies, “How can you say that, after all of the good he has done! Now its your turn…Write 12 additional lines of dialogue using facts from your notes!