Chapter 17 Section 2Chapter 17 Section 2

Watergate Brings Down NixonWatergate Brings Down Nixon

1972 Presidential Election1972 Presidential Election

President Nixon President Nixon (looking for reelection) (looking for reelection) vs. Democratic Sen. vs. Democratic Sen. George McGovernGeorge McGovern

Nixon won huge Nixon won huge landslide victorylandslide victory

In election – Nixon In election – Nixon wanted to win BIGwanted to win BIG

Origins of WatergateOrigins of Watergate

Nixon hoped BIG 1972 Nixon hoped BIG 1972 win would ensure the win would ensure the Republicans would Republicans would control Congresscontrol Congress

To make sure of big To make sure of big victory – some people victory – some people close to Nixon engaged close to Nixon engaged in in illegal activitiesillegal activities

Richard M. Nixon – 37th President of the United States

Watergate ScandalWatergate Scandal Everything started in June Everything started in June

1972 – five burglars were 1972 – five burglars were caught breaking into caught breaking into Democratic Headquarters at Democratic Headquarters at the the WatergateWatergate office- office-apartment complex in apartment complex in Washington DCWashington DC

Burglars were tied to Burglars were tied to Nixon’s reelection Nixon’s reelection campaign (AKA CREEP – campaign (AKA CREEP – Committee to reelect the Committee to reelect the President)President)

The “Watergate” is an office/apartment/hotel complex located in Washington D.C. It was also home to the headquarters of the Democratic

Party offices

Watergate Cover-upWatergate Cover-up

Nixon likely didn’t order the break-in or even Nixon likely didn’t order the break-in or even know about itknow about it

But – soon after, Nixon was heard discussing But – soon after, Nixon was heard discussing the best way to “cover up” any White House the best way to “cover up” any White House connection to the burglarsconnection to the burglars

It seems that Nixon had now committed a It seems that Nixon had now committed a crime (by discussing the cover-up)crime (by discussing the cover-up)

WatergateWatergate Close advisors to Nixon Close advisors to Nixon

warned him about situationwarned him about situation Nixon then agreed to pay Nixon then agreed to pay

“hush money” to the “hush money” to the burglars to keep them quietburglars to keep them quiet

White House aide John White House aide John Dean then decided to tell Dean then decided to tell everything he knew to the everything he knew to the Senate committee Senate committee investigating – which investigating – which included Nixon’s included Nixon’s involvement in the cover- involvement in the cover- upup

John Dean – in his White House office

Dean’s Word vs. Nixon’s WordDean’s Word vs. Nixon’s Word

Nixon continued to deny the charges against Nixon continued to deny the charges against himhim

It was then discovered that Nixon had It was then discovered that Nixon had recorded all conversations in his officerecorded all conversations in his office

A battle was fought over the tapes (who gets A battle was fought over the tapes (who gets them?)them?)

More Trouble for NixonMore Trouble for Nixon

Vice President Spiro Agnew Vice President Spiro Agnew was revealed to have was revealed to have accepted bribes while accepted bribes while governor of Maryland and governor of Maryland and as Vice Presidentas Vice President

This scandal was unrelated This scandal was unrelated to Watergate, but still hurt to Watergate, but still hurt Nixon politicallyNixon politically

Nixon nominated Gerald Nixon nominated Gerald Ford to become the new Ford to become the new Vice PresidentVice President

Vice President Spiro Agnew

Nixon ResignsNixon Resigns

Nixon was forced by a court Nixon was forced by a court order to release all of his order to release all of his tapestapes

After he released “edited After he released “edited transcripts” – the House of transcripts” – the House of Representatives started Representatives started impeachment hearingsimpeachment hearings

Nixon decided to resign the Nixon decided to resign the presidency – making Gerald presidency – making Gerald Ford the new presidentFord the new president

President Gerald FordPresident Gerald Ford

Former Michigan Former Michigan Congressman and Vice Congressman and Vice President under Richard President under Richard NixonNixon

Known for his honesty Known for his honesty and hard-working and hard-working attitudeattitude

Only person to serve as Only person to serve as President who wasn’t President who wasn’t elected either President elected either President or Vice President by the or Vice President by the peoplepeopleGerald Ford – 38th President of the United States