The The Presidency of Presidency of Richard Nixon Richard Nixon

and and The WatergateThe Watergate

ScandalScandal

HUSHHUSH

Unit 7Unit 7

1968 Election1968 Election

Popular VotesPopular Votes Nixon 43.4%Nixon 43.4%

Humphrey Humphrey 42.7%42.7%

Electoral VotesElectoral Votes Nixon 302Nixon 302

Humphrey 191Humphrey 191 Wallace 45Wallace 45

Issues During the Nixon Issues During the Nixon Administration Administration

Foreign Policy IssuesForeign Policy Issues VietnamVietnam

Nixon’s secret planNixon’s secret plan VietnamizationVietnamization Withdrawal of troopsWithdrawal of troops

Soviet Union Soviet Union Still under communist Still under communist

rule (Cold War)rule (Cold War) Nixon visitsNixon visits

ChinaChina Still under Communist Still under Communist

rule (Mao)rule (Mao) Nixon visitsNixon visits

Domestic IssuesDomestic Issues InflationInflation

Nixon tried to get spending under Nixon tried to get spending under controlcontrol

LBJ’s Great Society was LBJ’s Great Society was EXPENSIVE!EXPENSIVE!

Social Programs were put on the Social Programs were put on the chopping blockchopping block

Some liked….some didn’tSome liked….some didn’t Oil CrisisOil Crisis

OPEC organized and raised pricesOPEC organized and raised prices Law and OrderLaw and Order

Nixon called Middle America the Nixon called Middle America the Silent MajoritySilent Majority

Wanted to get their votes in 1972Wanted to get their votes in 1972

Nixon’s Southern StrategyNixon’s Southern Strategy To win the Southern votes in 1972To win the Southern votes in 1972

Do not openly oppose Civil Rights, but do not Do not openly oppose Civil Rights, but do not openly support eitheropenly support either

Attempt to block Civil Rights Act renewalAttempt to block Civil Rights Act renewal Oppose integration by busingOppose integration by busing

Swann v Charlotte-Mecklenburg-Swann v Charlotte-Mecklenburg- 1971 1971 Add moderates/conservatives to the Court Add moderates/conservatives to the Court

to change the way that Earl Warren had to change the way that Earl Warren had fashioned infashioned in Appointed Appointed Chief Justice Warren Burger, and Chief Justice Warren Burger, and

Justices Blackmon and Rehnquist Justices Blackmon and Rehnquist All three were conservativesAll three were conservatives

A Man on the MoonA Man on the Moon NASA put the first man NASA put the first man

on the moon in July on the moon in July 19691969 Neil ArmstrongNeil Armstrong

This helped to achieve This helped to achieve the goal that JFK had the goal that JFK had set more than 9 years set more than 9 years earlierearlier

The US Space Program The US Space Program had now surpassed the had now surpassed the Soviet’sSoviet’s

http://history.nasa.gov/alsj/a11/video11.html#Landing

Henry KissingerHenry Kissinger Henry Alfred KissingerHenry Alfred Kissinger

was the 56th Secretary of was the 56th Secretary of State of the United States State of the United States from 1973 to 1977from 1973 to 1977 He was born in Germany but He was born in Germany but

lived much of his life in the USlived much of his life in the US He was well-respected in the He was well-respected in the

field of foreign diplomacyfield of foreign diplomacy He was awarded the Nobel He was awarded the Nobel

Peace Prize in 1973 for his Peace Prize in 1973 for his work on ending the Vietnam work on ending the Vietnam WarWar

Détente and RealpolitikDétente and Realpolitik Kissinger specialized Kissinger specialized

in understanding in understanding “practical politics”“practical politics” Not playing gamesNot playing games

This was known as This was known as RealpolitikRealpolitik in in GermanGerman

Became the standard Became the standard for dealing with the for dealing with the USSR and China in the USSR and China in the Nixon WhitehouseNixon Whitehouse

DétenteDétente A more relaxed mood A more relaxed mood

towards former enemiestowards former enemies Nixon and Kissinger's Nixon and Kissinger's

style led to a new style led to a new understanding with the understanding with the Soviets and ChineseSoviets and Chinese Keep your friends close, Keep your friends close,

but your enemies closerbut your enemies closer Issues were more Issues were more

complexcomplex Politics are not just Politics are not just

“black and white”“black and white”

Ping Pong DiplomacyPing Pong Diplomacy One of the first public hints of One of the first public hints of

improved U.S.-China relations improved U.S.-China relations came on April 6, 1971, when the came on April 6, 1971, when the American Ping-Pong team American Ping-Pong team received a surprise invitation from received a surprise invitation from their Chinese colleagues for an their Chinese colleagues for an all-expense paid visit to the all-expense paid visit to the People's Republic. People's Republic.

TimeTime magazine called it " magazine called it "The The ping heard round the world." ping heard round the world."

This ushered in an era of "Ping-This ushered in an era of "Ping-Pong diplomacy." Pong diplomacy."

They were the first group of They were the first group of Americans allowed into China Americans allowed into China since the Communist takeover in since the Communist takeover in 1949. 1949.

This was followed by the historic This was followed by the historic trip trip Nixon made to ChinaNixon made to China

Nixon in the USSRNixon in the USSR Nixon followed his trip Nixon followed his trip

to China with a visit to to China with a visit to the Soviet Union the Soviet Union where he met where he met Premier BrezhnevPremier Brezhnev..

On 26 May the Strategic Arms On 26 May the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks Limitation Talks (SALT I)(SALT I) was was signed in the Kremlin by signed in the Kremlin by President Nixon and Mr. President Nixon and Mr. Brezhnev. Brezhnev.

The agreement, which was the The agreement, which was the culmination of nearly three culmination of nearly three years of talks between the years of talks between the two superpowers limited each two superpowers limited each superpower to 200 superpower to 200 defensive defensive nuclear missiles and froze nuclear missiles and froze the number of the number of intercontinental ballistic intercontinental ballistic missiles for the next five missiles for the next five years. years.

WatergateWatergateMore than 30 years have passed since More than 30 years have passed since the bungled break-in at the Watergate the bungled break-in at the Watergate hotel that triggered a national crisis.hotel that triggered a national crisis.

The roots of the Watergate scandal lie deep The roots of the Watergate scandal lie deep within the within the charactercharacter of President Richard of President Richard Nixon. Nixon.

Nixon came back from early political Nixon came back from early political defeats to win the presidency -- narrowly in defeats to win the presidency -- narrowly in 1968, but by an epic margin in 1972. 1968, but by an epic margin in 1972.

It was his desire to make a mark on history It was his desire to make a mark on history that sowed the seeds of the Watergate that sowed the seeds of the Watergate scandal.scandal.

What happened during What happened during Watergate?Watergate?

What you need to know: What you need to know: What happened at the Watergate What happened at the Watergate

hotel? Why?hotel? Why? Who were the major players and Who were the major players and

what were their roles?what were their roles? How did this event change the How did this event change the

United States and national politics United States and national politics forever? forever?

The Nixon WhitehouseThe Nixon WhitehousePresident

Inner Circle of Advisors

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Nixon and Some of His StaffersNixon and Some of His Staffers

H.R. HaldemanH.R. Haldeman

John EhrlichmanJohn Ehrlichman•Nixon’s Powerful Chief of Staff

•Gatekeeper and protector

•Nixon’s Powerful Personal Attorney and Domestic Advisor

•Gatekeeper and protector

CREEPCREEP The Committee to Re-The Committee to Re-

Elect the PresidentElect the President Headed by Attorney General Headed by Attorney General

MitchellMitchell The Attorney GeneralThe Attorney General

It’s all about REELECTION It’s all about REELECTION and by a big margin!and by a big margin!

In charge ofIn charge of Dirty tricks…Smear Dirty tricks…Smear

campaigncampaign against against Democratic VP Candidate Democratic VP Candidate MuskieMuskie

Hush money…payoffs for Hush money…payoffs for secrecysecrecy

Enemies ListEnemies List Actors, Democrats, media Actors, Democrats, media

John MitchellJohn Mitchell

WiretappingWiretapping Katz v USKatz v US had made had made

wiretapping without wiretapping without a search warrant a search warrant illegal in 1968illegal in 1968

Nixon did not follow Nixon did not follow the ruling and used the ruling and used the technology to the technology to spy on his spy on his “enemies”“enemies”

Claimed “Claimed “National National Security”Security” Was actually dirty Was actually dirty

politicspolitics

Leaks to Press anger NixonLeaks to Press anger Nixon The New York Times The New York Times received the “received the “Pentagon Pentagon

PapersPapers” which stated that ” which stated that the war was not winnablethe war was not winnable Leaked by former Dept. Leaked by former Dept.

of Defense executive of Defense executive Daniel EllsburgDaniel Ellsburg

Nixon ordered plumbers Nixon ordered plumbers to break into his to break into his psychiatrist’s officepsychiatrist’s office

Nixon tried to block the Nixon tried to block the publication in courtpublication in court US v NY TimesUS v NY Times

The Court ruled no!!The Court ruled no!! Papers were publishedPapers were published

The “Plumbers”The “Plumbers” Secret group of Nixon Secret group of Nixon

men men Fixed “leaksFixed “leaks” ”

G. Gordon LiddyG. Gordon Liddy James McCordJames McCord E. Howard HuntE. Howard Hunt

Were assigned to bug Were assigned to bug the Watergate offices the Watergate offices of the DNC (Democrat’s of the DNC (Democrat’s National Committee National Committee headquarters)headquarters)

Were caught in the act Were caught in the act by securityby security

Washington Post ReportersWashington Post Reporters

The Washington Post had The Washington Post had received several tips received several tips about a break-in at the about a break-in at the Watergate hotelWatergate hotel

Two young reporters Two young reporters followed leads and found followed leads and found themselves in the middle themselves in the middle of the greatest political of the greatest political scandal of the 20scandal of the 20thth centurycentury Bob WoodwardBob Woodward Carl BernsteinCarl Bernstein

Carl BernsteinCarl Bernstein

Bob WoodwardBob Woodward

The Watergate HotelThe Watergate Hotel

Page Page 2222 Article Article It was NOT major news at It was NOT major news at

firstfirst Seemed like a small story!Seemed like a small story! Break-ins are not big newsBreak-ins are not big news

The 2 reporters followed the The 2 reporters followed the story and it led further and story and it led further and further up to the White Housefurther up to the White House The connection was made The connection was made

between between CREEP and the CREEP and the “Plumbers”“Plumbers”

““Deep Throat”Deep Throat” Secret source for Secret source for

Post ReportersPost Reporters Only 4 people knew Only 4 people knew

his name till 2005his name till 2005 Had insider Had insider

information on the information on the Nixon Whitehouse Nixon Whitehouse and the break-in and the break-in

Told Woodward and Told Woodward and Bernstein Bernstein toto…“…“Follow the Follow the money”.money”.

““Deep Throat” Revealed in 2005Deep Throat” Revealed in 2005

Mark Felt was Mark Felt was Deep ThroatDeep Throat

Former #2 man Former #2 man at the FBI at the FBI

Was angered by Was angered by the the mismanagemenmismanagement and lawfulness t and lawfulness of the Nixon of the Nixon administrationadministration

Archibald CoxArchibald Cox

A special A special prosecutor is prosecutor is appointed to appointed to investigate the investigate the executive branchexecutive branch

The Senate also The Senate also conducts hearings conducts hearings

The TrialThe Trial Judge Sirica precedes over the Judge Sirica precedes over the

Watergate burglars trialsWatergate burglars trials They are convicted and all They are convicted and all

serve some time in jailserve some time in jail Most give up information for Most give up information for

lighter sentenceslighter sentences G. Gordon Liddy stays the G. Gordon Liddy stays the

longestlongest Never confessesNever confesses Is now ultra-right wing hero Is now ultra-right wing hero

and radio show hostand radio show host

John DeanJohn Dean White House counselWhite House counsel Turns over evidenceTurns over evidence

Spills the beansSpills the beans at the at the Senate hearingsSenate hearings

Received light Received light sentence but does sentence but does serve jail timeserve jail time

Popular authorPopular author Newest book about Newest book about

Bush administrationBush administration Worse than WatergateWorse than Watergate

The TapesThe Tapes Nixon aid Nixon aid Alexander Alexander

ButterfieldButterfield reveals that reveals that the Oval Office and the Oval Office and phones are buggedphones are bugged

All conversations have All conversations have been tapedbeen taped

The Senate and Special The Senate and Special Prosecutor ask for tapesProsecutor ask for tapes

Nixon refuses to Nixon refuses to surrender the tapes, surrender the tapes, claiming claiming executive executive privilege.privilege.

Richard Nixon Richard Nixon At a press At a press

conference in conference in 1973, Nixon 1973, Nixon urges the nation urges the nation to move beyond to move beyond Watergate and Watergate and defends himself, defends himself, arguing arguing ““I’m not I’m not a crook.”a crook.”

““Saturday Night Massacre”Saturday Night Massacre” October 20, 1973October 20, 1973 Nixon orders Attorney General Elliot Nixon orders Attorney General Elliot

Richardson to fire Richardson to fire Special Prosecutor CoxSpecial Prosecutor Cox. . Richardson refuses and resigns. Richardson refuses and resigns.

Nixon orders Richardson’s assistant, William Nixon orders Richardson’s assistant, William Ruckelshaus, to fire Cox. Ruckelshaus, to fire Cox. He, too, refuses and resigns. He, too, refuses and resigns.

Nixon orders his solicitor general, Robert Nixon orders his solicitor general, Robert Bork, to fire Cox. Bork, to fire Cox. Bork does so. Bork does so.

The press dubs this extraordinary series of The press dubs this extraordinary series of events the “events the “Saturday Night MassacreSaturday Night Massacre.” .”

The Tapes are Finally ReleasedThe Tapes are Finally Released The final blow came with the The final blow came with the

decision by the Supreme Court to decision by the Supreme Court to order Nixon to release more White order Nixon to release more White House tapes. House tapes.

One of these became known as One of these became known as the the 'smoking gun' tape'smoking gun' tape when it when it revealed that Nixon had revealed that Nixon had participated in the Watergate participated in the Watergate cover-up as far back as June 23, cover-up as far back as June 23, 1972. 1972. There is an 18-minute gap in one of There is an 18-minute gap in one of

the tapes, leading to great the tapes, leading to great speculation about what was erasedspeculation about what was erased

Around the country, there were Around the country, there were calls for Nixon to resign.calls for Nixon to resign.

Is this how the Tapes were Is this how the Tapes were Erased??Erased??

August 8, 1974August 8, 1974

President Nixon President Nixon announces to the announces to the nation in a televised nation in a televised address that he will address that he will ““resign the resign the Presidency, Presidency, effective at noon effective at noon tomorrowtomorrow.” .”

He becomes the first He becomes the first US president to US president to leave office by leave office by resignationresignation

Nixon’s is PardonedNixon’s is Pardoned In a surprise Sunday In a surprise Sunday

morning announcement, morning announcement, President Ford grants a President Ford grants a “full free and absolute” “full free and absolute” pardon to Nixon for “all pardon to Nixon for “all offenses against the offenses against the United States” United States” committed between committed between January 20, 1969 and January 20, 1969 and August 9, 1974.August 9, 1974.

He claims that ourHe claims that our “long national “long national nightmare is over”nightmare is over”

However, politics and However, politics and the American people’s the American people’s trust in politics has been trust in politics has been changed changed FOREVERFOREVER

News Reel of EventsNews Reel of Events

http://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/mhttp://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/museum/exhibits/watergate_files/conteuseum/exhibits/watergate_files/content.php?section=3&page=ent.php?section=3&page=e