Nixon & Watergate

The End for LBJ & American Liberalism Social Turmoil of the mid to late 1960’s causes “white backlash.” Social Turmoil of the mid to late 1960’s causes “white backlash.” Causes: Causes: 1. Vietnam war – Anti-war demonstrations. 1. Vietnam war – Anti-war demonstrations. 2. Civil rights—Violence and riots. 2. Civil rights—Violence and riots. 3. Counterculture (hippies!) 3. Counterculture (hippies!) To many whites (especially middle-class, blue collar), society seems to be unraveling and they blame the party in power (The Democrats). To many whites (especially middle-class, blue collar), society seems to be unraveling and they blame the party in power (The Democrats). Also feel that they are being neglected—the minorities and women are getting the attention. Also feel that they are being neglected—the minorities and women are getting the attention. This begins America’s move towards conservatism. This begins America’s move towards conservatism.

Nixon’s Comeback Had lost to Kennedy in 1960 and then ran for gov. of CA and lost that too. Had lost to Kennedy in 1960 and then ran for gov. of CA and lost that too. Claimed to represent the “Silent Majority,” people who were following the rules and not protesting, etc. Claimed to represent the “Silent Majority,” people who were following the rules and not protesting, etc. Said that he would restore “Law & Order” Said that he would restore “Law & Order” Said that he had a secret plan to end the Vietnam war in which the US would achieve “Peace with Honor.” Said that he had a secret plan to end the Vietnam war in which the US would achieve “Peace with Honor.”

Nixon Wins! Republican Richard Nixon wins the 1968 presidential election. Republican Richard Nixon wins the 1968 presidential election. He wins again in He wins again in 1972.

A. Imperial Presidency A. Imperial Presidency B. Mean Spirited & suspicious. B. Mean Spirited & suspicious. C. Small Inner Circle. C. Small Inner Circle.

What was the Enemies List? List of people that Nixon and his advisors felt were “against them.” List of people that Nixon and his advisors felt were “against them.” They spied on them. They spied on them. Ordered IRS to harass them. Ordered IRS to harass them.

What was CREEP? Committee to re-elect the president. Committee to re-elect the president. Used some of the $ for “dirty tricks” against opponents. Used some of the $ for “dirty tricks” against opponents.

Who were the Plumbers? Special investigations unit of CREEP that was supposed to prevent security leaks. Special investigations unit of CREEP that was supposed to prevent security leaks. One of the Plumbers, G Gordon Liddy, came up with the plan for Watergate. One of the Plumbers, G Gordon Liddy, came up with the plan for Watergate.

What was Watergate? Office-apartment complex. Office-apartment complex. Democratic National Committee has an office there. Democratic National Committee has an office there. G. Gordon Liddy comes up with the plan to break into the Watergate complex and plant “bugs” to figure out what the Democrats are doing. G. Gordon Liddy comes up with the plan to break into the Watergate complex and plant “bugs” to figure out what the Democrats are doing.

What Happened at the Arrest? CREEP Burglars are arrested during break- in. CREEP Burglars are arrested during break- in. People have telephone # to White House. People have telephone # to White House. White House denies. White House denies.

Woodward & Bernstein Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein were Washington Post reporters on Watergate beat. Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein were Washington Post reporters on Watergate beat.

Secret source = “Deep Throat.” Secret source = “Deep Throat.” Identity of Deep Throat revealed in 2005 = Mark Felt, the #2 guy in FBI. Identity of Deep Throat revealed in 2005 = Mark Felt, the #2 guy in FBI.

Senate Investigation Chaired by Sam Ervin. Chaired by Sam Ervin. John Dean, the White House Counsel, testifies that there had been a cover up and that Nixon had directed it. John Dean, the White House Counsel, testifies that there had been a cover up and that Nixon had directed it. Another witness tells that Nixon had secretly taped all of his conversations in the White House. Another witness tells that Nixon had secretly taped all of his conversations in the White House.

The Tapes Nixon refused to give them up. Nixon refused to give them up. Was ordered to by court. Was ordered to by court. Tapes showed the dark side of Nixon—petty, vindictive, lots of profanity, and ethnic slurs. Tapes showed the dark side of Nixon—petty, vindictive, lots of profanity, and ethnic slurs. Some of the tapes have “gaps.” Some of the tapes have “gaps.”

Impeachment House Judiciary Committee begins Impeachment proceedings. House Judiciary Committee begins Impeachment proceedings. Nixon Resigns Nixon Resigns He was not impeached! He was not impeached!

Ford Pardons Nixon Nixon’s first VP, Spiro Agnew, had been forced to resign (evading taxes and taking bribes). Nixon’s first VP, Spiro Agnew, had been forced to resign (evading taxes and taking bribes). Gerald Ford was chosen to replace him. Gerald Ford was chosen to replace him. Ford Becomes first President never elected as either Pres. Or VP. Ford Becomes first President never elected as either Pres. Or VP. He Pardons Nixon. He Pardons Nixon.

What Nixon Did Wrong He had people break into the Democratic headquarters. He had people break into the Democratic headquarters. He tried to cover it up. He tried to cover it up. He lied about it. He lied about it.

Review What things did Nixon promise when he ran for President in 1968? What things did Nixon promise when he ran for President in 1968? What were the group of people that Nixon claimed to represent? What were the group of people that Nixon claimed to represent? What did Nixon say he would achieve in Vietnam? What did Nixon say he would achieve in Vietnam? What was “Watergate”? What was “Watergate”? How did Watergate impact Nixon’s presidency? How did Watergate impact Nixon’s presidency?