1. The biggest political scandal to hit the United States 1972-1974
Watergate
The biggest political scandal to hit the United States

2. Background Richard Nixon elected President in 1968
Reelection approaching in 1972
Paranoia of Nixon losing political race because of the Vietnam War
Nixon and his aides began a plan of slander towards the democratic party

3. What is Watergate
Watergate is used to describe the scandal that began in the Watergate Hotel in Washington D.C.
This hotel is where the Democratic National Committee met
This hotel was broken into and burglarized on June 17, 1972

4. Watergate
Nixon’s team planted surveillance devices in the Watergate Hotel
They were caught breaking in and began to cover up any involvement

5. Burglary Five men were arrested at the Watergate complex
Two other men faced charges-also White House aides.
The “Watergate Seven”

6. Executive Privilege
Tapes began being used in 1971 in the Oval Office so that conversations would be recorded.
Nixon was accused of involvement and asked to turn over the tapes.
Refused because of “Executive Privilege”

7. Executive Privilege
Supreme Court instructed Nixon to surrender the tapes
Months later Nixon finally releases some of the tapes
One tape is found to have an minute gap

8. Tapes
Nixon’s secretary, Rose Mary Woods denies deliberately erasing the tapes
There are calls for Nixon to resign and Congress seriously considers impeachment

9. Nixon Nixon releases more edited transcripts of tapes
Public is shocked with information on the tapes
Nixon’s foul language a shock

10. Nixon and more tapes
Nixon releases more tapes that prove he ordered the cover-up of the Watergate burglary, six days after the break-in
He admits he knew of the scandal and that it was geared towards Campaign for Re-election of the President

11. Impeachment It is clear that Nixon will be impeached
Nixon resigned, the first president to do so
Gerald Ford becomes the th president

12. How did the public learn of the story?
Reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, reporters for the Washington Post
Became the most famous journalists of the 20th century
Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein

13. How they got their story
First story about the break-ins was in June 1972
Most newspapers dismissed the story
Woodward teamed with Bernstein
Together they raised the issue of the link between the burglars and President Nixon's reelection committee with their first report for the Watergate scandal.

14. The Source The source was not identified for 30 years
Source was called “Deep Throat”

15. Finally reveals himself
Mark Felt (91) finally reveals himself after 30 years as “Deep Throat”
He wanted to stay an unindentified source because he worked for the FBI

16. Unidentified Source
“I hope you understand that I gave my word that this source would not be identified unless he changed his mind. He has not, and a reporter's ability to keep the bond of confidentiality often enables him to learn the hidden or secret aspects of government.”
Bob Woodward

17. How long it took
“I believe Watergate shows that the system did work. Particularly the Judiciary and the Congress, and ultimately an independent prosecutor working in the Executive Branch,” Bob Woodward.
It took 26 months for the final truth to be known.
Bob Woodward Interview

18. Historic Event
Two years and eight days after the first report broke out, President Nixon appeared on TV screen for his resignation speech.

19. Woodward and Bernstein won most of major journalism award, including the Pulitzer Prize.
They coauthored two best sellers, 'All the President Men' (1974)