1970s Pt 1- Nixon, Watergate, and Ford
Background Nixon first elected in 1968- spent 1st term dealing with Vietnam War Nixon & advisors worried about re-election in 1972 election
Hired people to break-in of Democratic office in the Watergate Hotel in D.C. to find info about campaign Burglars caught and arrested Nixon and advisors denied any connection- claimed “I am not a crook” when asked about it Forrest Gump??
Investigation Senate had hearings to investigate wrongdoing FBI connected money the burglars had back to the Committee to Re-Elect the President (CREEP) (Nixon’s advisors) Public didn’t care, Nixon re-elected easily in ’72 Senate had hearings to investigate wrongdoing Evidence that Nixon was involved in cover-up, found out Oval Office conversations had been taped Investigators wanted tapes to prove Nixon knew about it - Nixon refused
Nixon worried about losing re-election Hired people to break into the Democratic headquarters Watergate Scandal - Nixon denies any involvement
Impeachment Begins Supreme Court (US v Nixon) ordered Nixon to surrender tapes Proved even presidents are not above the law Example of checks and balances When he did turn them over, large sections had been deleted
Impeachment Begins July ‘74, House of Rep. voted to impeach Nixon for: (Impeach = formally accuse, not remove from office) Obstruction of justice, violating constitutional rights of U.S. citizens, failing to comply with Congressional subpoenas August 7, 1974
What did US v. Nixon prove about the office of the president?
Resignation To avoid impeachment and removal from office, Nixon resigned on August 9, 1974 The only president in U.S. history to resign Gerald Ford, recently made VP after the old one was caught in a tax scandal, was sworn in as Pres Ford is the only president never elected to office of Pres or VP Only served ½ of a term Ran again in 1976 and lost - Public still mad about pardon of Nixon
Pardon Ford pardoned Nixon in Sept ‘74 (forgive of wrongdoing so not punished) Ford thought a trial would further damage the country Several Nixon administration officials were convicted and went to prison
Why was Ford’s decision to pardon Nixon so controversial?
Results of the Scandal Increased skepticism/distrust about the fed government During Vietnam, so distrust was already high Addition of “-gate” to the end of words associated with scandals Congress passed campaign finance reform to track money used Investigation of presidential wrongdoing became normal- support of checks and balances
Watergate Scandal More distrust of government (right after Vietnam) Checks and balances- checked power of executive
STAAR Practice The incident illustrated by this cartoon increased cynicism toward the US government because The press secretary failed to keep the public informed of national policy changes The president directed a conspiracy to mislead the nation The Supreme Court overruled federal statutes that defined confidentiality Congress failed to pass legislation enforcing protection of privacy rights
STAAR Practice The incident illustrated by this cartoon increased cynicism toward the US government because The press secretary failed to keep the public informed of national policy changes The president directed a conspiracy to mislead the nation The Supreme Court overruled federal statutes that defined confidentiality Congress failed to pass legislation enforcing protection of privacy rights
Big Idea Why was Watergate significant?