1. Nixon and Watergate

2. Seeking Reelection Election Context
Political defeats
Cambodia
Race riots
Protestors
Vietnam War
Enemies List- list of people (politicians, media, radicals, etc.) he considered a threat to his presidency
Worried about losing the election
Spy on rallies and spread rumors about Democratic opponents

3. Watergate Hotel
Nixon’s advisers order five men to break in to the Democratic National Convention headquarters (at Watergate hotel complex)
Steal sensitive campaign information
Plant wiretaps on phones
Security guard calls police
Burglars arrested

4. Watergate Cover-Up
James McCord- ex-CIA officer and member of the Committee for the Re-election of the President (CRP)
Had been paid from a CRP fund controlled by the White House
White House officials destroy documents and give false testimony
Nixon orders cover-up
Officials ask CIA to stop FBI investigation
FBI director, Mark Felt, leaks information to Washington Post

5. Election of 1972 Nixon dismisses break-in
Tells public the White House had no involvement
Nixon wins reelection with 61% of popular vote

6. Watergate Trial 1973, Watergate burglars go on trial
John Dean- presidential counsel, implicates Nixon’s involvement
John Mitchell ordered break-in
Nixon covered up the White House involvement
Nixon denied charges
Tapes of Nixon’s phone conversations discovered

7. Watergate Tapes Nixon refused to hand over the tapes
Executive privilege- White House conversations should remain confidential to protect national security
Nixon fires the lawyer (Archibald Cox) who tried to force him to give up the tapes
Damages his reputation with the public
Vice President Spiro Agnew forced to resign
Took bribes as governor and Vice President
Gerald Ford becomes new VP

8. Nixon Resigns Supreme Court rules Nixon has to give up tapes
House Judiciary Committee votes to impeach Nixon (officially charge him with misconduct)
Obstructing justice in Watergate cover-up
Misuse of federal agencies to violates rights of citizens
Defying Congress by refusing to cooperate
August 9, Nixon resigns in disgrace
Gerald Ford takes oath of office

9. Impact
Federal Campaign Act- limits campaign contributions and stricter election laws
No one is above the law
Deep distrust of government