Watergate scandal and Nixon's impeachment

How did the testimony of Alexander Butterfield change the course of the Watergate investigation?

Without evidence clearly implicating the President, the investigation might have ended if not for the testimony of Alexander Butterfield that a voice-activated recording system had been installed in the oval office.

What were the public's reactions to Nixon's refusal to release the tapes, and how did it influence the impeachment process?

The public was enraged by Nixon's actions. A growing number of citizens felt as though the president had placed himself above the law. Telegrams flooded the white house. House of Rep. began to discuss impeachment.

Analyze the role of the media in shaping public perception during the Watergate scandal.

Americans sat glued to their television screens as major networks took turns broadcasting the senate hearing. They also captured him in an unflattering light and destroying the image he had curated over the years.

What does the term "Saturday Night Massacre" refer to, and what were its implications for Nixon's presidency?

On October 20th, 1973, Nixon told General Richardson to fire Fox. He refused and resigned, as did Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus with the same order. Control of the Justice Department then fell on Solicitor Robert Bork who complied with the order. House of Judiciary then began it's own investigation to see if there was enough evidence of wrongdoing to impeach the president.

How did the Watergate scandal contribute to the growing distrust in the government, and what lasting effects did it have on American politics?

Instead, it fed a growing suspicion of the government felt by many. It showed people that the government could not be trusted to protected the interests of the people or to tell the truth.