Nixon & Domestic Policy Conservative president who tried to reduce/eliminate Great Society programs Conservative president who tried to reduce/eliminate Great Society programs Gave states more control over funding Gave states more control over funding

Use worksheet Nixon and Watergate

President Nixon and His White House Watergate: scandal that centered on the Nixon administration’s attempt to cover-up a burglary of the Democratic National headquarters Watergate: scandal that centered on the Nixon administration’s attempt to cover-up a burglary of the Democratic National headquarters Began before actual burglary Began before actual burglary

The President’s Men Nixon confided in a small and loyal group of advisers that included: Nixon confided in a small and loyal group of advisers that included: H.R. Haldeman: White House chief of staff H.R. Haldeman: White House chief of staff

The President’s Men John Dean: White House Counsel John Dean: White House Counsel

The President’s Men John Ehrlichman: Chief domestic adviser

The President’s Men John Mitchell: Attorney General John Mitchell: Attorney General

The President’s Men Alexander Butterfield: Deputy Assistant

A Bungled Burglary June 17, Guard at the Watergate complex caught seven men breaking into the campaign headquarters of the DNC June 17, Guard at the Watergate complex caught seven men breaking into the campaign headquarters of the DNC

A Bungled Burglary Burglars planned to photograph documents outlining Dem. Party strategy and to place wiretaps, or “bugs” on office telephones

Watergate Burglars

A Bungled Burglary James McCord- leader of burglars; former CIA agent and current security coordinator for Committee to Reelect the Pres (CREEP) James McCord- leader of burglars; former CIA agent and current security coordinator for Committee to Reelect the Pres (CREEP)

A Bungled Burglary The Cover-up quickly began. The Cover-up quickly began. Workers shredded all incriminating documents Workers shredded all incriminating documents White House asked CIA to urge FBI to stop its investigation White House asked CIA to urge FBI to stop its investigation CRP passed out nearly $450,00 to Watergate burglars CRP passed out nearly $450,00 to Watergate burglars Watergate generated little interest Watergate generated little interest Washington Post kept on story Washington Post kept on story

Woodward and Bernstein Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein: reporters for the Washington Post Uncovered info linking members of Nixon admin to burglary

Woodward and Bernstein

The Cover-up Unravels January the trial of the Watergate burglars began. January the trial of the Watergate burglars began. Judge Sirica believed men had not acted alone Judge Sirica believed men had not acted alone March 20, James McCord sent a letter to Judge Sirica hinting that Nixon administration had been involved in break-in March 20, James McCord sent a letter to Judge Sirica hinting that Nixon administration had been involved in break-in

The Senate Investigates Watergate McCord’s letter sparked public interest in Watergate. McCord’s letter sparked public interest in Watergate. President Nixon moved quickly to stop the growing concern. President Nixon moved quickly to stop the growing concern. April 30, Nixon dismissed John Dean and announced resignations of Haldeman and Ehrlichman. April 30, Nixon dismissed John Dean and announced resignations of Haldeman and Ehrlichman.

Senate Investigates Watergate President went on television- denied cover up. President went on television- denied cover up. Appointed new attorney general Elliot Richardson who appointed special prosecutor Appointed new attorney general Elliot Richardson who appointed special prosecutor

Senate Investigates Watergate May Senate began its own investigation of Watergate May Senate began its own investigation of Watergate Special committee called admin. Officials to give testimony Special committee called admin. Officials to give testimony

Startling Testimonies June John Dean declared that Nixon had been involved in the cover-up June John Dean declared that Nixon had been involved in the cover-up White House denied charges White House denied charges

Startling Testimonies July Alexander Butterfield said Nixon had taped presidential conversations

Startling Testimonies The tapes were key to revealing what Nixon knew and when he knew it. The tapes were key to revealing what Nixon knew and when he knew it. A year-long battle for the “Nixon tapes” followed. A year-long battle for the “Nixon tapes” followed.

Saturday Night Massacre Saturday Night Massacre: series of firings and resignations that took place all on October 20, Saturday Night Massacre: series of firings and resignations that took place all on October 20, Archibald Cox: special prosecutor to investigate Watergate Archibald Cox: special prosecutor to investigate Watergate Eliot Richardson: Attorney General Eliot Richardson: Attorney General William Ruckelshaus: Assistant Attorney General William Ruckelshaus: Assistant Attorney General Robert Bork: Solicitor General Robert Bork: Solicitor General

Saturday Night Massacre Started because: Started because: October Cox took Nixon to court to obtain the tapes October Cox took Nixon to court to obtain the tapes Nixon refused to give up the tapes Nixon refused to give up the tapes Ordered Attorney General Richardson to fire Cox Ordered Attorney General Richardson to fire Cox

Saturday Night Massacre Richardson refused Nixon’s order and resigned

Saturday Night Massacre Deputy Attorney General Ruckelshaus also refused the order and was fired Deputy Attorney General Ruckelshaus also refused the order and was fired

Saturday Night Massacre Solicitor general Robert Bork finally fired Cox

Effects of Saturday Night Massacre October 20, Saturday Night Massacre (Special Prosecutor Cox fired; Attorney General Richardson resigns; Assistant Attorney General resigns) October 20, Saturday Night Massacre (Special Prosecutor Cox fired; Attorney General Richardson resigns; Assistant Attorney General resigns)

White House In Trouble Days before Saturday Night Massacre, Spiro Agnew resigned Days before Saturday Night Massacre, Spiro Agnew resigned Spiro Agnew: Vice President who resigned after taking bribes Spiro Agnew: Vice President who resigned after taking bribes

White House in Trouble Gerald Ford: Republican minority leader; replaced Agnew as V.P.

White House In Trouble March Grand jury indicted seven presidential aides on charges of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and perjury. March Grand jury indicted seven presidential aides on charges of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and perjury. The investigation was closing in on the president. The investigation was closing in on the president.

Fight to Release the Tapes April President Nixon releases 1,254 pages of edited transcripts April President Nixon releases 1,254 pages of edited transcripts Investigators want unedited tapes Investigators want unedited tapes Nixon refused- case went to the Supreme Court Nixon refused- case went to the Supreme Court Ruled that president must release tapes Ruled that president must release tapes Rejected argument of national security Rejected argument of national security

Nixon in Trouble July 27, three articles of impeachment drafted against Nixon July 27, three articles of impeachment drafted against Nixon August 5, Nixon released tapes August 5, Nixon released tapes Contained many gaps- one with 18 ½ minute gap Contained many gaps- one with 18 ½ minute gap Said Nixon’s secretary erased the conversation Said Nixon’s secretary erased the conversation Conversation was between Nixon and Haldeman Conversation was between Nixon and Haldeman

Nixon Resigns August 8, before vote on impeachment, Nixon announces his resignation August 8, before vote on impeachment, Nixon announces his resignation Nixon admitted no guilt- said some judgments “were wrong” Nixon admitted no guilt- said some judgments “were wrong”

Nixon Resigns The next day, Nixon and his wife, Pat, returned home to California. August 9, Gerald Ford was sworn in as the 38 th president of the U.S.

The Effects of Watergate 25 members of the Nixon administration were convicted and served prison terms for crimes connected to Watergate. 25 members of the Nixon administration were convicted and served prison terms for crimes connected to Watergate. American public and media developed a cynicism about public officials American public and media developed a cynicism about public officials Watergate remains the scandal to which all others are measured Watergate remains the scandal to which all others are measured

Consequences John Dean- served 4 months for role in Watergate cover-up John Dean- served 4 months for role in Watergate cover-up Gordon Liddy (former FBI)- served over 4 years in prison for role in Watergate burglary, Ellsberg break in, and contempt of court Gordon Liddy (former FBI)- served over 4 years in prison for role in Watergate burglary, Ellsberg break in, and contempt of court Jeb MacGruder- served 7 months for the Watergate cover-up Jeb MacGruder- served 7 months for the Watergate cover-up H.R. Haldeman- served 18 months for the Watergate cover- up H.R. Haldeman- served 18 months for the Watergate cover- up John Ehrichman- served 8 months for his role in the Watergate cover-up and the Ellsberg break in John Ehrichman- served 8 months for his role in the Watergate cover-up and the Ellsberg break in John Mitchell- served 19 months for his role in the Watergate cover-up John Mitchell- served 19 months for his role in the Watergate cover-up Howard Hunt (former CIA)- served 33 months for the Watergate burglary Howard Hunt (former CIA)- served 33 months for the Watergate burglary Charles Colson- served almost 7 months for obstruction of justice in the Ellsberg case Charles Colson- served almost 7 months for obstruction of justice in the Ellsberg case