Quck answer
The Watergate scandal was a political scandal in the United States during the 1970s. It involved the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate complex, leading to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. The scandal revealed a series of illegal activities, including wiretapping, burglary, and attempts to cover up the involvement of high-ranking officials. The investigations and hearings brought public attention to the abuse of power and corruption within the Nixon administration. The Watergate scandal ultimately led to a loss of trust in the government and had a lasting impact on American politics.
What qualities do you seek in a leader? Is it fairness? Intelligence? Maybe creativity? How about communication skills? These traits are all crucial for a leader. Honesty is often added to the list as well.
But what should be done when a leader is unfair or dishonest? One might say, “Find a new leader, of course!” However, it is not always that simple. When an elected leader is unfair or dishonest, you may be stuck with them for several years. Unless, of course, they break the law.
When an elected leader violates the law, there are specific steps to remove them from office. If a U.S. President breaks the law, they undergo a trial in the Senate, known as impeachment. After being impeached, the Senate votes on whether to remove the President from office. To date, three U.S. Presidents have been impeached: Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Donald Trump. Neither Johnson nor Clinton were removed from office. President Trump’s impeachment is still ongoing.
During the early 1970s, another President came close to impeachment. It all began with what appeared to be a common crime—a break-in.
It was around 2:30 a.m. on June 17, 1972, when five men forcibly entered the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters in Washington, D.C. The office was situated in the Watergate hotel and office building. Upon arrival, the police apprehended the men.
Upon searching the men, the police discovered their equipment, including bugs. Bugs are small, concealed devices used for covert surveillance. It became evident that this was no ordinary break-in. The men were attempting to steal classified information from the DNC.
There were suspicions that the break-in was connected to the upcoming presidential election. Later, it was revealed that one of the men, James McCord, was affiliated with the Committee to Re-elect the President (CREEP). CREEP was a group working to secure President Richard Nixon’s re-election.
The Washington Post journalists, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, covered the case. As they delved deeper, they uncovered more intriguing details. They worked with a confidential source, now known to be then-FBI Associate Director Mark Felt, who helped them disseminate crucial information to the American public.
In March 1973, only a few months after Nixon’s re-election, the five burglars received their sentences. During the hearing, James McCord implicated Nixon and the White House in the crime, accusing them of attempting to conceal it. In May, the U.S. Senate conducted hearings to investigate the matter.
These hearings were televised, attracting the attention of many Americans. The Senate interrogated numerous individuals who had worked in the White House. In July, Alexander Butterfield provided the Senate with highly significant information. He revealed the existence of a set of tapes that the President used to record his conversations. Many believed these tapes could provide evidence of the President’s wrongdoing.
The Senate demanded that President Nixon surrender the tapes. Initially, he refused. However, in December 1973, Nixon finally handed over seven of the nine tapes to the Senate. One of the tapes had a significant gap, leading many to believe that Nixon had erased a portion containing incriminating evidence against him.
In July 1974, the Supreme Court made a decision that required Nixon to give up transcripts of all nine tapes. Eventually, on August 5, the transcripts were received by the Senate. They clearly demonstrated that the President had attempted to conceal his involvement in the DNC headquarters crime.
Many individuals believed that Nixon would face impeachment. However, he became the first President in U.S. history to resign. On August 9, 1974, Nixon voluntarily left office. Today, the entire event is known as the Watergate Scandal, named after the building where it originated.
Try It Out
Find an adult friend or family member who can assist you with one or more of these activities:
- Identify a leader whom you admire. Explain in a paragraph what qualities make them a good leader. What leadership traits do they possess? What significant actions have they taken?
- Take a trip back in time by examining the Watergate Scandal through pictures. Choose one picture to investigate closely. Who is featured in the picture? What is happening? Why is it significant? Seek help from a friend or family member to gather more information and understand the picture better.
- Read about the impeachment of Andrew Johnson or Bill Clinton. How does the case you read about compare to or differ from that of Richard Nixon? Discuss it with a friend or family member.
Wonder Sources
- https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/investigations/Watergate.htm (accessed 10 Oct. 2019)
- https://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=11259 (accessed 10 Oct. 2019)
- https://www.pbs.org/johngardner/chapters/6c.html (accessed 10 Oct. 2019)
- https://www.britannica.com/event/Watergate-Scandal (accessed 10 Oct. 2019)
FAQ
1. What was the Watergate Scandal?
The Watergate Scandal was a political scandal that occurred in the United States during the 1970s. It began with a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. The break-in was orchestrated by individuals connected to President Richard Nixon’s reelection campaign. The scandal involved illegal activities, such as wiretapping, political espionage, and obstruction of justice.
2. How did the Watergate Scandal unfold?
The Watergate Scandal unfolded when five individuals were arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters on June 17, 1972. As investigations continued, it was revealed that the break-in was part of a larger conspiracy to gather intelligence and sabotage Nixon’s political opponents. The scandal escalated when it was discovered that President Nixon had authorized the use of federal agencies to obstruct the FBI’s investigation. These revelations eventually led to Nixon’s resignation in 1974.
3. What were the consequences of the Watergate Scandal?
The Watergate Scandal had significant consequences for American politics. It eroded public trust in the government and the presidency. As a result, there were widespread calls for accountability and transparency in government. The scandal also led to reforms in campaign finance laws and the establishment of the Office of the Independent Counsel, which was tasked with investigating and prosecuting high-level government officials for misconduct.
4. How did the Watergate Scandal impact Richard Nixon’s presidency?
The Watergate Scandal had a profound impact on Richard Nixon’s presidency. As evidence of his involvement in the cover-up emerged, Nixon’s support among the public and Congress dwindled. Facing impeachment, Nixon chose to resign on August 8, 1974, becoming the only U.S. president to do so. The scandal tarnished Nixon’s legacy and forever linked his name with political corruption.
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