1. Chapter 31 Section 2 A Search For Order Riddlebarger
WATERGATE
Chapter 31
Section 2
A Search For Order
Riddlebarger

2. Nixon’s 1st Term

3. “Always remember that others may hate you but those who hate you don't win unless you hate them. And then you destroy yourself.”
-Richard M. Nixon, August 8, 1974

4. The Plumbers Nixon advisors, H.R. Haldeman & John Erlichman
Erlichman (top) from historyplace.com and Haldeman (bottom) from Washpost

5. 1972 Election In 1972, focus on re-election
break into the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters.
Watergate office-hotel complex.

6. Break-In
arrest of 5 men.
News impact

7. 5 days after break-in…
“The White House has no involvement whatsoever in this particular incident.”

8. Bernstein & Woodward
Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein
Washington Post

9. The Scandal Unfolds Little public attention
Nixon easily wins re-election in 1972
Watergate issues were behind him?

10. Nixon Involvement? By Feb. 1973, 7 men guilty and their connections
Questions emerge from trials- How much did Nixon know & was he involved in a cover-up?
Washington Post investigation
Now the public and Congress are paying attention

11. Nixon Aides Resign Nixon orders his staff to investigate
April 1973: Haldeman & Erlichman resign along with Nixon’s Attorney General
Nixon fires John Dean whom he had appointed to investigate the Watergate Scandal
Meaning of these actions

12. “When the President does it, that means that it's not illegal.”
- Richard Nixon

13. Reaction Republicans are calmed by Nixon’s actions
Gerald Ford: “cleaning house”
Democrats aren’t so sure
Nixon later agrees and appoints Archibald Cox to be special prosecutor.

14. Senate Watergate Hearings
May ‘73: Senate begins televised hearings on Watergate
Public is tuned in
“What did the President know, and
and when did he know it?”
-Sen. Howard Baker
Republican

15. Butterfield’s Bombshell
Senate hearing
John Dean testimony
July ‘73: Former Nixon aide Alexander Butterfield revelation

16. Nixon Obstruction Nixon refusal Investigators reject these claims
claims executive privilege
(president has right to keep official conversations & meetings private.)
Investigators reject these claims
subpoena

17. Saturday Night Massacre
“Whether ours shall
be a government of
laws and not of men
is now for Congress
and ultimately the
American people to
decide.”
Nixon’s response to subpoena:
Orders his Attorney General to fire Cox
A.G. refuses and quits instead
Saturday Night Massacre
Archibald Cox

18. The Pressure Mounts Public confidence in Nixon. release of some tapes
Continued denial
“I am not a crook.”
release of some tapes
18 minutes???
Calls for his resignation or impeachment
Transcripts
suggestion of guilt
Investigators demands

20. Nixon Resigns
July 1974: Supreme Court orders Nixon to turn over all tapes.
House Judiciary Committee votes to recommend impeachment.
Aug. 8, 1974: Nixon announces his resignation.