III. Abuse of Presidential Power

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III. Abuse of Presidential Power
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Watergate Scandal
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A. The Case

• Watergate Cover up of a botched burglary _at_ the
  Democratic National Committee headquarters
• Located in the Watergate Apartments

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B. Drive Toward Reelection

• Nixon lived with a constant fear of losing
  elections
• Election of 1972 Nixon not only wanted to
  defeat his opponent he wanted to destroy his
  opponent
• Wanted to gain an advantage by any means possible

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C. The Plan

• Nixon wanted to break into the Watergate and
  photograph all important Democratic documents
• Also planned to bug their telephones

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• June 17, 1972 Apartment guard caught five men
  trying to break in
• Committee to Reelect the President (CREEP)
  Leader of this committee (James McCord) is one
  of the men

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D. Let the Lies Begin

• Word of this leaks to the public
• Nixon quickly claims to have no knowledge of the
  break in
• American people believe Nixon and he won the
  largest Republican victory in history

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Deep Throat Mark Felt
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E. Cover Up

• After the news of Watergate breaks Nixon destroys
  many documents
• Senate begins to investigate the Watergate
  Scandal
• Nixon addresses the nation telling them he did
  not attempt a cover-up

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What Documents?
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F. More Trouble for Nixon

• 1971-1972 Discovered that Nixon only paid 1000
  in taxes on his 250,000 salary
• Nixon claims I am not a crook.

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G. Fall of a President

• Nixon refused to give up his presidential tapes
  claiming it would violate national security
• Supreme Court forced Nixon to give up the tapes
  (United States v Nixon)
• House begins to write up impeachment charges

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• August 8, 1974 Nixon announces his resignation
• Avoids being the first President to be removed
  from office

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Nixon After His Resignation
Nixon Resignation Speech
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H. Effects of Watergate

• 43 - Of Americans had hardly any faith in the
  Executive Branch
• Leads to a general cynicism about public offices
  that continues to this day