All the Presidents Men An accurate description of the early work of Carl Bernstein, Bob Woodward, and the editors of the Washington Post in uncovering the Watergate scandal

During the 20 th century, the executive branch of the US government gained power. During the 20 th century, the executive branch of the US government gained power. The term Imperial Presidency was used to described this type of power. The term Imperial Presidency was used to described this type of power. 1970s – Richard Nixon, 37 th President, began to act as if he were above the law. 1970s – Richard Nixon, 37 th President, began to act as if he were above the law.

Richard M. Nixon January 9January 9, 1913 – 1913 April 22April 22,

John Newton Mitchell (Sept – Nov. 9, 1988) was the first United States Attorney General ever to be convicted of illegal activities and imprisoned. He also served as campaign director for the Committee to Re-elect the President, which engineered the Watergate first break-in and employed Watergate burglar James W. McCord, Jr. in a "security" capacity. Nov United States Attorney General Committee to Re-elect the PresidentWatergate first break-inWatergateJames W. McCord, Jr.Nov United States Attorney General Committee to Re-elect the PresidentWatergate first break-inWatergateJames W. McCord, Jr.

Committee to Re-elect 1972 – Nixon & close aides authorized a number of illegal campaign tactics – Nixon & close aides authorized a number of illegal campaign tactics. Attempted to break into and bug the headquarters for the Democratic National Committee located in the Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC. Attempted to break into and bug the headquarters for the Democratic National Committee located in the Watergate Hotel in Washington, DC. Burglars were caught in the act. Burglars were caught in the act. Tried to cover-up their own involvement through perjury, payoffs and destroying evidence. Tried to cover-up their own involvement through perjury, payoffs and destroying evidence.

Watergate Hotel Kennedy Center in the background

More on Break-in The cover-up was planned and executed from the White House and the Attorney General of the US (the man who is in charge of seeing that laws are enforced and obeyed). The cover-up was planned and executed from the White House and the Attorney General of the US (the man who is in charge of seeing that laws are enforced and obeyed). 2 top aides to Nixon, the CIA, and the FBI were involved in the cover- up. 2 top aides to Nixon, the CIA, and the FBI were involved in the cover- up.

Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein 2 junior reporters from the Washington Post 2 junior reporters from the Washington Post Uncovered crucial pieces of info that came to be called the Watergate scandal. Uncovered crucial pieces of info that came to be called the Watergate scandal. Woodward developed a source, a person highly placed in the Nixon administration, who didnt want to be identified. Woodward developed a source, a person highly placed in the Nixon administration, who didnt want to be identified. W & B kept the identity of Deep Throat secret for more than 30 years. W & B kept the identity of Deep Throat secret for more than 30 years.

Smoking Gun Nixon had a tape recording system in his offices and had recorded many conversations. Nixon had a tape recording system in his offices and had recorded many conversations. Undeniable evidence, spoken by Nixon himself and recorded on tape, revealed that he had obstructed justice and attempted to cover up the break-in. Undeniable evidence, spoken by Nixon himself and recorded on tape, revealed that he had obstructed justice and attempted to cover up the break-in. This recorded conversation later became known as the Smoking Gun. This recorded conversation later became known as the Smoking Gun.Smoking GunSmoking Gun The United States Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the President must hand over the tapes; he complied. The United States Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the President must hand over the tapes; he complied.United States Supreme CourtUnited States Supreme Court

Outcome Nixons allies told him that impeachment was impending, Nixon resigned on Aug. 9, Nixons allies told him that impeachment was impending, Nixon resigned on Aug. 9, of Nixons closest aides were convicted of crimes stemming from the burglary, the cover-up and the Nixon administrations illegal efforts to influence the 1972 Democratic primaries to eliminate the most viable candidates. 30 of Nixons closest aides were convicted of crimes stemming from the burglary, the cover-up and the Nixon administrations illegal efforts to influence the 1972 Democratic primaries to eliminate the most viable candidates. About ½ served time in federal prison. About ½ served time in federal prison. Nixon was pardoned by President Ford. Nixon was pardoned by President Ford.

Nixon Resigns Nixon departs the White House aboard Marine One after resigning Nixon departs the White House aboard Marine One after resigning Marine One Marine One

President Gerald Ford Became President after Nixon Became President after Nixon Only President to serve who was not elected by the people Only President to serve who was not elected by the people Had been a Republican leader in Congress Had been a Republican leader in Congress Appointed VP by Nixon when Nixons 1 st VP, Spiro Agnew, resigned in a plea bargain with prosecutors Appointed VP by Nixon when Nixons 1 st VP, Spiro Agnew, resigned in a plea bargain with prosecutors Agnew had been taking payoffs from people interested in government business while he was VP. Agnew had been taking payoffs from people interested in government business while he was VP.

Watergate Scandal Established what most Americans had known all along – that the President was not above the law! Established what most Americans had known all along – that the President was not above the law!