1. “OK, so maybe I okayed the break in of the Democratic National Committee Headquarters, but has everyone met my dog Checkers?”: The Nixon Administration -- 1968- 1974

2. Nixon’s Foreign Policy With his national security advisor, HENRY KISSINGER, Nixon determines that NEGOTIATION might be a better way to handle Cold War tensions with China and the U.S.S.R. The two craft a policy, known as DÉTENTE, or a “relaxing of tensions” between the two countries. Nixon visits China in Feb. 1972 – the first U.S. leader to do so since its Communist takeover.

4. SALT Talks After the U.S. gets friendly with China, the Soviets are more willing to talk. In May 1972, Nixon visits the U.S.S.R., and the two countries establish the SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty) to limit the production of nuclear arms in the countries. U.S.-Soviet relations are at their best during this time.

5. Watergate After his close political defeats and the Pentagon Papers debacle, Nixon comes up with a long ENEMIES LIST – people who he felt would hurt his chances at keeping the presidency. Although his opponent in the Election of 1972, George McGovern, didn’t look to be a problem, Nixon wanted to assure a big victory.

6. On June 17, 1972, 5 burglars are caught breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate Hotel in D.C. They wore business suits, had tear- gas guns, and had $2,000 with them. Most importantly, they had a phone number with the name Howard Hunt at the “W. House”

7. Woodward and Bernstein At the Washington Post, reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein find out that the phone number belonged to a White House consultant, and the money could be traced back to the Nixon reelection campaign (CREEP)

8. Woodward and Bernstein

9. Facing a stiff jail sentence, one of the Watergate burglars admits the White House was involved in a cover-up. After this, two Nixon aides resign. During Senate hearings, White House counsel JOHN DEAN told the nation that Nixon had been involved in the cover-up. Since Nixon recorded all of his White House conversations, people called for the tapes to be public.

10. Nixon had appointed a special prosecutor, ARCHIBALD COX, to handle the Watergate investigation. When Cox asked Nixon to hand over the tapes, Nixon fired him. This becomes known as the SATURDAY NIGHT MASSACRE. Immediately, members of Congress get ready to IMPEACH the president.

11. Eventually, Nixon hands over the tapes. Although 17 minutes are “missing,” there is enough to implicate Nixon in Watergate. Facing removal from office, Nixon resigns on August 8, 1974.