Richard Nixon and the Watergate Scandal

Overview

• Richard M. Nixon won a very close presidential election in 1968.
• The Committee to Re-Elect the President (CREEP) undertook illegal activities to ensure Nixon's re-election.
• These activities included espionage against Democrats, candidate sabotage, and silencing criticisms.

The Break-Ins

• May 1972: Men working for Nixon's campaign broke into the Democratic National Committee (DNC) Headquarters in the Watergate complex.
• Second break-in attempt to repair phone taps led to arrest of five burglars.
• Evidence found included sequentially numbered $100 bills, linking burglars to CREEP.
• Nixon's advisors aimed to distance him from these activities.

Investigations

• January 1973: Watergate burglars pled guilty; two aides convicted of conspiracy, burglary, and wiretapping.
• Several investigations into Watergate were launched, with Nixon denying prior knowledge or involvement.
• White House Counsel John Dean contradicted Nixon, claiming multiple discussions about cover-up.

Executive Privilege

• Nixon cited executive privilege to avoid turning over documents or testifying.
• Executive privilege: Not in the Constitution but used by presidents to keep information secret based on separation of powers.
• Discovery of Nixon's secret recording system was pivotal.
• Nixon refused to release tapes, citing executive privilege, leading to a prolonged battle.

Impeachment Inquiry

• February 1974: Impeachment inquiry by the House of Representatives.
• Nixon released partial transcripts but not tapes.
• Supreme Court ordered the release of tapes (United States v. Nixon).
• The tapes revealed Nixon's involvement in the cover-up, leading to his resignation on August 9, 1974.

Consequences

• Resulted in the indictment or jailing of 40 government officials.
• Resulted in a loss of public trust in the presidency.
• Highlighted the importance of free press and checks and balances.
• Showed that no one, including the President, is above the law.

Critical Thinking Questions

1. Purpose and details of the Watergate burglaries.
2. Explanation of the Watergate Scandal.
3. Importance of Nixon's recorded conversations to the investigation.
4. Definition and Supreme Court ruling on executive privilege.
5. Evaluation of separation of powers and checks and balances in Nixon's case.