Research Paper I
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
Why the scandal broke the trust between the government and the people: me
answer
After denying that he was involved in the original Watergate break in, President Nixon lied about his involvement in the cover up.
question
The betrayal: me
answer
It was more than a lie, the scandal was an abuse of presidential power and a deliberate obstruction of justice.
question
Forever changed the relationship between the people and politics: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-06-16/watergate-scandal-changed-political-landscape/55639974/1
answer
Following the scandal the American people felt the right to know our political figures. As a result, the aftermath of Watergate ushered in changes in campaign finance reform and a more aggressive attitude by the media.
question
The press exposed how deep the corruption was rooted: http://www.history.com/topics/watergate
answer
Investigations by the FBI, the Senate Watergate Committee, the House Judiciary Committee and the press revealed that this break-in was one of several illegal activities authorized and carried out by Nixon's staff.
question
Citizens felt violated: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-06-16/watergate-scandal-changed-political-landscape/55639974/1
answer
After Watergate, people did not believe their public officials. Many good potential leaders avoided politics, not wanting to endure the indignities of campaigns and elections in the post-Watergate era.
question
Broke the law to hide breaking the law: http://www.history.com/topics/watergate
answer
These illegal activities included campaign fraud, political espionage and sabotage, illegal break-ins, improper tax audits, illegal wiretapping, and a \"laundered\" slush fund used to pay those who conducted these operations.
question
Started during the campaign: http://www.history.com/topics/watergate
answer
The origins of the Watergate break-in lay in the hostile politics of the 1960s. when Republican President Richard Nixon (1913-1994) was running for reelection, the United States was embroiled in the Vietnam War (1955-1975) and deeply divided internally. As well as, the publication of the Pentagon Papers in 1970 created a harsh political climate.
question
Pentagon Papers: http://watergate.info
answer
June 13, 1971: The New York Times begins publishing the Pentagon Papers - the Defense Department's secret history of the Vietnam War. The Washington Post will begin publishing the papers later in the week. September 9, 1971: The White House \"plumbers\" unit - named for their orders to plug leaks in the administration - burglarizes a psychiatrist's office to find files on Daniel Ellsberg, the former defense analyst who leaked the Pentagon Papers.
question
Good motifs mixed with high emotions/stakes: http://www.history.com/topics/watergate
answer
a forceful presidential campaign seemed essential to the president and some of his key advisers. Their aggressive tactics included what turned out to be illegal espionage.
question
In addition to the break in: http://watergate.info
answer
Nixon arranged to provide hundreds of thousands of dollars in \"hush money\" to the burglars. Then, he and his aides hatched a plan to instruct the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to impede the FBI's investigation of the crime.
question
His ego/controlling ways led to his own undoing: http://www.history.com/topics/watergate
answer
His lawyers argued that the president's executive privilege allowed him to keep the tapes to himself, but Sirica, the Senate committee and an independent special prosecutor named Archibald Cox were all determined to obtain them. When Cox refused to stop demanding the tapes, Nixon soon had no choice but to surrender some—but not all—of the tapes.
question
Saturday Night Massacres: http://watergate.info
answer
Nixon fires Archibald Cox and abolishes the office of the special prosecutor. Attorney General Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William D. Ruckelshaus resign in protest. Pressure for impeachment mounts in Congress.
question
No one to blame but himself: http://watergate.info
answer
Some of Nixon's aides, including White House counsel John Dean, testified that Nixon had secretly taped every conversation that took place in the Oval Office.
question
Undeniable guilt: http://watergate.info
answer
his aides testified before a grand jury about the president's crimes. The prosecutors knew if they could get their hands on those tapes, they would have proof of the president's guilt.
question
Out come was inevitable, everyone working AGAINST him: http://watergate.info
answer
While the president dragged his feet, the House of Representatives voted to impeach him for obstruction of justice, abuse of power, criminal cover-up and several violations of the Constitution.
question
Sep 29, 1972 http://watergate.info
answer
The Washington Post reports that John Mitchell, while serving as Attorney-General, controlled a secret Republican fund used to finance widespread intelligence-gathering operations against the Democrats.
question
October 10, 1972: http://watergate.info
answer
FBI agents establish that the Watergate break-in stems from a massive campaign of political spying and sabotage conducted on behalf of the Nixon reelection effort, The Post reports.
question
Nov 22, 1972 http://watergate.info
answer
Walter Cronkite devoted 15 minutes to Watergate on the CBS Evening News. The scandal becomes a mainstream media issue.
question
Nearing the end, had the choice between take down or surrender (choose the later): http://watergate.info
answer
Finally, on August 5, Nixon released the tapes, which provided undeniable evidence of his complicity in the Watergate crimes. In the face of certain impeachment by the Senate, the president resigned on August 8.
question
Even afterwards, Nixon could have come clean: http://watergate.info
answer
Six weeks after the new president Gerald Ford (1913-2006) was sworn in, he pardoned Nixon for any crimes he had committed while in office.
question
Sep 08, 1974: http://watergate.info
answer
In a surprise Sunday morning announcement, Ford grants a \"full free and absolute\" pardon to Nixon for \"all offenses against the United States\" committed between January 20, 1969 and August 9, 1974.
question
In a matter of speaking, Nixon got away. YET he chose to continue lying to the public: http://www.history.com/topics/watergate
answer
Nixon himself never admitted to any criminal wrongdoing, though he did acknowledge using poor judgment.
question
While the President is supposed to beneficially evolve the country, Nixon: http://www.history.com/topics/watergate
answer
and his abuse of presidential power had a negative effect on American political life, creating an atmosphere of cynicism and distrust. While many Americans had been deeply dismayed by the outcomes of the Vietnam War, Watergate added further disappointment in a national climate already soured by the difficulties and losses of the past decade.
question
The Burglars were also involved in politics, and failed the american people. Took advantage of their connections: http://watergate.info
answer
Bernard L. Barker, Virgilio R. Gonzales, James W. McCord, Eugenio R. Martinez, and Frank A. Sturgis were arrested on June 17, 1972 at the Watergate offices of the Democratic National Committee. were charged with attempted burglary and attempted interception of telephone and other communications.
question
Bernard L. Barker: http://watergate.info
answer
a realtor from Miami, Florida. Former Central Intelligence Agency operative. Barker was said to have been involved in the Bay of Pigs incident in 1962.
question
Virgilio R. Gonzales: http://watergate.info
answer
a locksmith from Miami, Florida. Gonzalez was a refugee from Cuba, following Castro's takeover.
question
James W. McCord: http://watergate.info
answer
a security co-ordinator for the Republican National Committee and the Committee for the Re-election of the President. McCord was also a former FBI and CIA agent. He was dismissed from his RNC and CREEP positions the day after the break-in.
question
Eugenio R. Martinez: http://watergate.info
answer
worked for Barker's Miami real estate firm. He had CIA connections and was an anti-Castro Cuban exile.
question
Frank A. Sturgis: http://watergate.info
answer
another associate of Barker from Miami, he also had CIA connections and involvement in anti-Castro activities.
question
Abuse of power by higher ups including: me
answer
G. Gordon Liddy and E Howard Hunt Jr.
question
G. Gordon Liddy: http://watergate.info
answer
from Washington, counsel to the Finance Committee to Re-elect the President, a former FBI agent, former Treasury official, and former member of the White House staff. During the investigation, Liddy refused to answer questions and was fired from his job.
question
E Howard Hunt Jr.: http://watergate.info
answer
from Washington, a former White House consultant and CIA employee. Hunt was a writer of espionage novels and had worked on declassifying the Pentagon Papers.
question
Lasting impact, due to the scandal the term Watergate is synonymous with: http://watergate.info
answer
political burglary bribery extortion phonetapping conspiracy obstruction of justice destruction of evidence tax fraud illegal use of government agencies such as the CIA and the FBI illegal campaign contributions use of public money for private purposes *Most of all, Watergate is synonymous with abuse of power.
question
A pathological liar, covering his tracks: http://watergate.info
answer
November 17, 1973: Nixon declares, \"I'm not a crook,\" maintaining his innocence in the Watergate case. December 7, 1973: The White House can't explain an 18 1/2 -minute gap in one of the subpoenaed tapes. Chief of staff Alexander Haig says one theory is that \"some sinister force\" erased the segment.
question
Tried to redirect blame, Nixon can't take responsibility: http://watergate.info
answer
Apr 17 Nixon announces that White House staff will appear before the Senate Committee. He promises \"major new developments\" in the investigation and says there has been real progress towards finding the truth.
question
Had others lie for him, manipulated staff and american public: http://watergate.info
answer
Apr 17 An official statement from the White House claims Nixon had no prior knowledge of the Watergate affair.
question
Used others to his advantage: http://watergate.info
answer
Easter Sunday Nixon asks John Dean to prepare a report about the Watergate affair. He sends Dean to Camp David to write the report. Later he fires Dean.
question
Compounding evidence: http://watergate.info
answer
Jun 03 It is reported by the Washington Post that John Dean has told Watergate investigators that he discussed the Watergate cover-up with President Nixon at least 35 times.
question
More evidence http://watergate.info
answer
Jun 13 Watergate prosecutors find a memo addressed to John Ehrlichman describing in detail the plans to burglarize the office of Pentagon Papers defendant Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist.
question
More evidence: http://watergate.info
answer
Jun 25 Testifying before the Senate Watergate Committee, Dean claims that Nixon was involved in the cover-up of the Watergate burglary within days in June 1972. In a seven-hour opening statement, he details a program of political espionage activites conducted by the White House in recent years.
question
Used to be government and the people, together. Now separate, almost enemies: http://watergate.info
answer
January 1974 TIME Magazine names Watergate Judge John Sirica as Man of the Year.
question
nixon tried to mend a already broken relationship with the people: http://watergate.info
answer
April 29 Nixon refuses to hand over the tapes, but provides more edited transcripts to the Judiciary Committee. He appears on national television to announce his decision to release the transcripts. There is public shock at the general tone of the conversations and the foul language used by Nixon and others. The expression \"expletive deleted\" enters the vocabulary.
question
All of Nixon's actions caught up to him, you cannot out run the truth: http://watergate.info
answer
The June 23 tape becomes known as The Smoking Gun because it reveals that Nixon ordered the FBI to abandon its investigation of the break-in. The tapes show that he knew of the involvement of White House officials. The eleven Republicans on the Judiciary Committee who voted against impeachment say they will change their votes. It is clear that Nixon will be impeached and convicted in the Senate. Aug 07, 1974 Around the country, calls mount for Nixon's resignation, and speculation builds about Nixon's intentions.
question
Not because he was sorry or wanted to but was basically \"forced:\" http://watergate.info
answer
Aug 08 In a televised address to the nation at 9pm, Nixon announces that he will resign. August 9 In the morning, Nixon delivers a farewell address to the White House.
question
A first for many things: http://watergate.info
answer
First great scandal First resignation At around noon, Gerald Ford becomes the 38th president. Later, he nominates the former Republican Governor of New York, Nelson Rockefeller, as vice-president. They become the nation's first unelected presidential duo.
question
Lasting Impact: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-06-16/watergate-scandal-changed-political-landscape/55639974/1
answer
dented Americans' faith in their government and tainted public servants with a distrust that stretches still from inside the Washington Beltway to town halls across the USA.
question
American people took it personally: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-06-16/watergate-scandal-changed-political-landscape/55639974/1
answer
\"When the smoke cleared in the Watergate scandal, we had been blatantly lied to by our highest officials. That changed us.\" said Robert Thompson, a Syracuse University professor who studies mass media.
question
tainted public servants with a distrust: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-06-16/watergate-scandal-changed-political-landscape/55639974/1
answer
\"Both parties have had trouble recruiting people, especially for federal offices,\" Smith said. \"It's a shame.\" Former Rep. Neal Smith, a native of Hedrick, Iowa, served in Congress from 1959 to 1994, including the Watergate years. good potential leaders eschewed politics, not wanting to endure the indignities of campaigns and elections in the post-Watergate era.
question
Words from the president's own mouth: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-06-16/watergate-scandal-changed-political-landscape/55639974/1
answer
\"I really didn't believe it was as bad as was being reported,\" said Smith, now 92, retired and living in Des Moines, Iowa. \"But I put on the earphones, and it was unbelievable what was being said by the president, the things he wanted to do.\"
question
Dennis Goldford, a Drake University political science professor. It was a morality issue: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-06-16/watergate-scandal-changed-political-landscape/55639974/1
answer
\"People disagreed over policy, but not over honesty,\" Goldford said. \"The myth of the president as always a great, trustful, moral leader ended. You went from taking what a politician said with a grain of salt to a huge block of salt.\"
question
Watergate also took root in popular culture. http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-06-16/watergate-scandal-changed-political-landscape/55639974/1
answer
Reporters such as Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein developed a responsibility to uncover and expose the injustices of the government. However, they wanted to manipulate public opinion, not be reporters.
question
Positive impact: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-06-16/watergate-scandal-changed-political-landscape/55639974/1
answer
The public and the news media more carefully scrutinized the backgrounds of people who sought power. The secrets of the Nixon administration drove a national movement to make government meetings and records more accessible to the public.
question
Three major federal open-records reforms passed after Watergate: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-06-16/watergate-scandal-changed-political-landscape/55639974/1
answer
including the Government in Sunshine Act in 1976, and the Ethics in Government and Presidential Records acts, both in 1978.
question
The Sunshine Act: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-06-16/watergate-scandal-changed-political-landscape/55639974/1
answer
required government agencies, with exceptions, to conduct all meetings open to the public.
question
The Ethics in Government Act: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-06-16/watergate-scandal-changed-political-landscape/55639974/1
answer
required public officials to disclose their financial and employment history and create restrictions on lobbying.
question
The Presidential Records Act: http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-06-16/watergate-scandal-changed-political-landscape/55639974/1
answer
required preservation of all presidential records and documents.
question
\"There was, and still is, this belief among public officials that the public can't handle information,\" said Strentz, also the former executive secretary of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council. http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-06-16/watergate-scandal-changed-political-landscape/55639974/1
answer
However, i believe the people have every right to and must demand the truth
question
In addition to changes: http://makinghistoryatmacquarie.wordpress.com/tag/watergate-scandal/
answer
Th Watergate Scandal was a major factor in the passage of amendments to the Freedom of Information Act in 1986, as well as laws requiring new financial disclosures by key government officials.
question
Lost respect: http://makinghistoryatmacquarie.wordpress.com/tag/watergate-scandal/
answer
These events began the decline in public support and presidential infallibility. The American Presidency has fallen from grace and those responsible, through action or inaction, are indisputably the American presidents.
question
Instead of protecting politicians, government passed bills that: http://makinghistoryatmacquarie.wordpress.com/tag/watergate-scandal/
answer
provided a safety net for the voting public, they issued a backhanded warning of distrust to all future governments.
