1. Chapter 31 Section 2 A Search For Order Riddlebarger
WATERGATE
Chapter 31
Section 2
A Search For Order
Riddlebarger

2. Nixon’s 1st Term

3. “Always remember that others may hate you but those who hate you don't win unless you hate them. And then you destroy yourself.”
-Richard M. Nixon, August 8, 1974

4. The Plumbers
Nixon advisors, H.R. Haldeman & John Erlichman did political dirty work
Created a group know as the “Plumbers”
Erlichman (top) from historyplace.com and Haldeman (bottom) from Washpost

5. 1972 Election In 1972, Nixon & staff are focused on re-election
In early 1972, they develop a scheme to break into the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters.
Located at Watergate office-hotel complex.

6. Break-In The break-in ends with the arrest of 5 men.
It barely made the news at the time

7. 5 days after break-in…
“The White House has no involvement whatsoever in this particular incident.”

8. Bernstein & Woodward
Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein
Washington Post

9. The Scandal Unfolds Little public attention
Nixon easily wins re-election in 1972
Watergate issues were behind him?

10. Nixon Involvement? By Feb. 1973, 7 men guilty and their connections
Questions emerge from trials- How much did Nixon know & was he involved in a cover-up?
Washington Post investigation
Now the public and Congress are paying attention

11. Nixon Aides Resign Nixon orders his staff to investigate
April 1973: Haldeman & Erlichman resign along with Nixon’s Attorney General
Nixon fires John Dean whom he had appointed to investigate the Watergate Scandal
Meaning of these actions

12. “When the President does it, that means that it's not illegal.”
- Richard Nixon

13. Reaction Republicans are calmed by Nixon’s actions
Gerald Ford: “cleaning house”
Democrats aren’t so sure
Nixon later agrees and appoints Archibald Cox to be special prosecutor.

14. Senate Watergate Hearings
May ‘73: Senate begins televised hearings on Watergate
Public is tuned in
“What did the President know, and
and when did he know it?”
-Sen. Howard Baker
Republican

15. Butterfield’s Bombshell
Senate hearing produce lots of drama
John Dean testimony
July ‘73: Former Nixon aide Alexander Butterfield reveals that Nixon records all White House conversations.

16. Nixon Obstruction
Nixon does not want to give up tapes to investigators
He claims executive privilege
(president has right to keep official conversations & meetings private.)
Investigators reject these claims
Special Prosecutor Cox & Senate Watergate Committee continue to seek tapes
Get a subpoena to order Nixon to turn them over

17. Saturday Night Massacre
“Whether ours shall
be a government of
laws and not of men
is now for Congress
and ultimately the
American people to
decide.”
Nixon’s response to subpoena:
Orders his Attorney General to fire Cox
A.G. refuses and quits instead
Lower level official fires Cox.
Saturday Night Massacre stuns many Americans
Archibald Cox

18. The Pressure Mounts Public confidence in Nixon is now very low.
He continues to deny involvement in break-in or cover-up.
“I am not a crook.”
He delays the release of the tapes
White House then says critical 18 minute section of tape has been unexplainably erased
Calls for his resignation or impeachment grow.
He releases some transcripts of tapes
These seem to suggest he had some knowledge of break-in and role in cover-up.
Investigators still want the tapes.

20. Nixon Resigns
July 1974: Supreme Court orders Nixon to turn over all tapes.
House Judiciary Committee votes to recommend impeachment.
Aug. 8, 1974: Nixon announces his resignation.