Download presentation
1
Watergate: Nixon’s Downfall
How does the Watergate cover up lead to Nixon’s downfall?
2
All The President’s Men:
John Mitchell Former Atty General – Head of CREEP HR Haldeman Chief of Staff John Ehrlichman– Domestic Policy Advisor John Dean White House Counsel Charles Colson- Special Counsel to President Howard Hunt CIA
3
Break in at the DNC After Pentagon Papers, Nixon advisor Howard Hunt creates “The Plumbers” covert group that finds political “leaks” John Ehrlichman authorizes break-in of Daniel Ellsberg’s office June 17th, 1972: Burglars are caught trying to “bug” the Democrats’ HQ at the Watergate hotel The Press learns that the group’s leader James McCord worked for CREEP (Committee to RE-Elect the President)
4
Shred all documents pertaining to break-in
The Cover Up Chief of Staff HR Haldeman informs President of break-in & suggests a cover up Shred all documents pertaining to break-in Use CREEP money to buy burglars silence Ask FBI to stop investigation (national security) Only media covering the story are two Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein 1972 election Nixon wins in a landslide Clip question #1: What makes Woodward think the White House knows about the break-in?
5
More details come out linking White House officials to break-in
Cover-up Unravels More details come out linking White House officials to break-in As the burglars are about to go on trial, James McCord admits that he originally lied about the break-in Woodward & Bernstein are being fed more information by an informant at the White House code named “Deep Throat” W & B finf out Haldeman, Erlichmann and Mitchell are involved with cover-up Clip #2: What does Deep Throat tell Woodward about Chief of Staff HR Haldeman? What does Woodward & Bernstein’s editor tell them? 2008: Washington Post has confirmed that Mark Felt, a former top FBI official, was Deep Throat
6
White House Tapes CREEP director John Mitchell resigns, Haldeman & Ehrlicman are forced to resign for their role in the cover-up Nixon fires WH counsel John Dean Senate begins an investigation, Dean reveals President knew of the cover up, White House denies accusations During hearings its revealed that there was a taping system in the Oval Office Senate demands Nixon turn over tapes, Nixon claims innocence
7
Nixon v. US Nixon refuses to give up tapes cites “executive privilege” Sp Prosecutor Archibald Cox takes Nixon to court over tapes Clip: What was the Saturday Night Massacre? VP Spiro Agnew resigns due to tax evasion issues New Sp Pros Jaworski takes case to Supreme Court – SC forces Nixon to hand over tapes Despite 18 minute missing gap, tapes show Nixon knew of cover-up – House begins impeachment proceedings
8
Downfall of a President
August 9th, 1974: Rather than face impeachment, Nixon resigns the Presidency Vice President Gerald Ford sworn in as President
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.