10.4 Watergate Scandal and Constitutional Crisis

The Watergate scandal rocked American politics in the 1970s. It started with a break-in at the Democratic National Committee and snowballed into a massive cover-up involving President Nixon. The scandal exposed corruption at the highest levels of government.

As investigations unfolded, Nixon's involvement became clear. Key figures like John Dean and Bob Woodward helped expose the truth. The scandal led to Nixon's resignation in 1974, the first time a U.S. president had ever stepped down from office.

Watergate Scandal Events

The Watergate Break-in and Initial Investigations

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• The Watergate scandal began with a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., on June 17, 1972, by five men connected to President Richard Nixon's reelection campaign
• The burglars were caught wiretapping phones and stealing documents, and it was later revealed that Nixon's administration had attempted to cover up its involvement in the break-in
• Investigations by the FBI, the Senate Watergate Committee, and the House Judiciary Committee revealed Nixon's role in the scandal, including his attempts to obstruct justice and cover up the administration's involvement

Key Figures and Revelations in the Scandal

• Key figures in the Watergate scandal included G. Gordon Liddy, E. Howard Hunt, John Dean (White House Counsel), John Ehrlichman (Assistant to the President for Domestic Affairs), and H. R. Haldeman (White House Chief of Staff), among others
• The Senate Watergate Committee, chaired by Senator Sam Ervin, held televised hearings that exposed the extent of the scandal to the American public
• The House Judiciary Committee, led by Congressman Peter Rodino, began impeachment proceedings against Nixon, drawing up articles of impeachment for obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress
• The revelation of the existence of a secret taping system in the White House and the subsequent legal battle over the release of the tapes played a crucial role in the investigation and Nixon's eventual resignation

Media and Public Opinion in Watergate

The Media's Role in Exposing the Scandal

• The media played a crucial role in exposing the Watergate scandal and keeping the public informed about the ongoing investigations
• The Washington Post, led by reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, was instrumental in uncovering the scandal and linking it to the Nixon administration
• Other major newspapers (The New York Times) and television networks (CBS, NBC) also provided extensive coverage of the scandal, helping to shape public opinion and maintain pressure on the government to investigate thoroughly
• The media's role in the Watergate scandal demonstrated the importance of a free press in holding government officials accountable and preserving democracy

Shifting Public Opinion and Trust in Government

• As the scandal unfolded, public opinion shifted dramatically against Nixon and his administration
• The televised hearings of the Senate Watergate Committee, which revealed the extent of the administration's involvement in the scandal, significantly eroded public trust in the president
• Nixon's approval ratings plummeted as the scandal progressed, with a growing majority of Americans supporting his impeachment and removal from office
• The scandal's impact on public opinion highlighted the American people's expectations of transparency, honesty, and integrity from their elected officials

Watergate's Impact on the Presidency

Nixon's Resignation and the Precedent Set

• The Watergate scandal led to significant changes in the relationship between the executive branch and the other branches of government, as well as the media and the public
• Nixon's resignation on August 9, 1974, marked the first time in U.S. history that a president had resigned from office, demonstrating that even the highest office in the land was not above the law

Reforms and Lasting Effects on American Politics

• The scandal led to a series of reforms aimed at preventing future abuses of power and increasing transparency in government
• The Ethics in Government Act of 1978 established the Office of the Independent Counsel to investigate allegations of wrongdoing by high-level government officials
• The Federal Election Campaign Act of 1974 placed limits on campaign contributions and required greater disclosure of campaign finance information
• The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 established guidelines and oversight for the government's use of electronic surveillance for national security purposes
• The Watergate scandal contributed to a general decline in public trust in government institutions and political leaders, a trend that has continued in the decades since
• The scandal also had a lasting impact on the media's role in American politics, cementing the press's position as a watchdog over government officials and reinforcing the importance of investigative journalism