1. Outcomes: Nixon and Watergate

2. Nixon – The Man (1913-1994) Self-Made Man Political Path 1946 – First elected to Congress 1950 – Won election to U.S. Senate from California 1952 – Became Vice President under Eisenhower 1960 – Lost Presidential Election to JFK (1 st ever TV debate, close election) 1963 – Lost bid to become Governor of California (all washed up?) 1968 – Won Presidential election over Hubert Humphrey of MN (close election)

3. Presidency (1969-1974) Foreign Policy Successes led to Popularity Ended the Vietnam War (Great Peacemaker) Setback = Cambodia invasion “Normalized” relations with China (Result of trip in Feb. 1972) Summit meeting with Leonid Brezhnev of Soviet Union (May 1972) (SALT) Détente reached with the two Communist powers

4. Plans for reelection (CRP formed) Committee to Re-elect the President 1972 – Landslide reelection over George McGovern (Lost only 1 state)

5. Watergate (senseless and unnecessary) Background (June 17, 1972) 5 arrested for breaking into Democratic campaign headquarters Watergate Hotel and Office Complex, Washington D.C. All employed by CRP 2 others implicated and arrested (both members of CRP) – a link to the White House Reporters B. Woodward & C. Bernstein (Wash. Post) kept suspicion alive

7. The Cover-Up CRP & Nixon deny any involvement in a “conspiracy” Nixon didn’t order burglary, but did order the cover-up Evidence destroyed and hush money paid Tried to use the CIA to stop the FBI’s investigation Jan. ’73 – burglars given jail terms & investigation began Senate Committee formed to investigate ’72 election

10. Fall From Power May, ’73: Watergate hearings begin Alleged crimes: illegal campaign financing, political espionage, and misuse of the IRS to harass political enemies. June, ’73: John Dean testified that Nixon was involved & offered clemency to those who would take the blame July, ’73: Oval Office Audio Tapes were discovered (All conversations since ’71) Fight over tapes --> Nixon cites “Executive Privilege” vs. Cox’s subpoena

11. Oct. 21, ’73: “Saturday Night Massacre” (Firings) Cox is replaced by Leon Jaworski as Special Prosecutor House began “Impeachment” proceedings against Nixon for “Obstruction of Justice” and misuse of power (1 st step in removal process). Oct. 23, ’73: Nixon gave up most written transcripts Nov. ’73: 2 tapes lost + 18 min gap (admission of guilt?) July, ’74: In an 8-0 vote, the Supreme Court ordered all tapes be handed over Tapes destroyed Nixon (proved involvement in cover up since June 23, ’72)

12. House Judiciary Committee approved 3 articles of Impeachment Obstruction of Justice Abuse of Power Contempt of Congress

13. Resignation Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974 Gerald Ford became President due to 25 th Amendment

14. Impact & Consequences Ford Granted Nixon a “full pardon” making Nixon immune to criminal prosecution Costly for Ford & Republicans Ford committed “Political Suicide” (proven by ’74 and ’76 election results) Became known as the “Caretaker President” Disrespect for government & its leaders to this day

15. Changes occurred in government: More rules/restrictions on campaign financing More “watch-dog” groups formed to watch the government (accountability) Hope for the U.S. --> The system worked & the Constitution survived.