2. The Watergate Scandal: Ft. Former President Richard Nixon By: Dana Alexander

3. The Historical Event The Watergate Scandal, a political scandal during the 197os, changed the lives of those involved in the burglary and of former president, Richard Nixon.

4. Background to the Crisis The road leading up to the resigning of former President Richard Nixon began on June 17, 1972. In the offices of the Democratic National Committee five men were arrested for wiretapping and photographing documentation.

5. Options Impeachment Resignation Senate wanted to remove President Nixon from office: This could have happened because there were enough votes to remove him from office by the Senate. President Nixon : President Nixon realized he did not have a strong political base in Congress as he once had when he became president.

6. The Decision President Nixon chose to resign from office. He felt it was best for the nation and the nation must come before any personal matters. He chose resignation because he felt America needed a full time president and full time congress, especially with the problems at home (America) and abroad. It took a little over 2 years for the decision to be made.

7. The Result After President Nixon resigned, the Congress dropped impeachment proceedings. Prosecution was still possible on both the Federal and State level. Watergate cause new laws leading to changes in financing campaigns. President Nixon still had some loyalties in his party (Republican) The majority were unhappy with him and believed he should step down. Reporters became more interested in reporting on the activities of politicians. Much of the public did not trust him.

8. Hindsight The Watergate Scandal left a big impression on national and international consciousness, that such scandals after this have been labeled with the suffix “–gate”. I believed President Nixon’s decision to resign was the right decision. I felt that he should have put the country first instead of his own personal needs. A president should be honest and trustworthy. I would have chosen to resign, because I would have done what was best for the nation and in this case this was best for the nation.

9. Citations http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watergate_scandal http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1791.html http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/wa/Watergate_s candal http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/wa/Watergate_s candal

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