Nixon's Foreign Policy and Watergate Scandal

Nixon's Foreign Policy and Watergate Scandal

Nixon's Foreign Policy (1969-1972)

In early 1972, Nixon's approval was suffering due to events like the My Lai Massacre and protests. He decided to focus on foreign policy, which he saw as his strength, to boost his chances in the upcoming election.

Détente with Communist Countries

Nixon capitalized on strained relations between China and the Soviet Union. In February 1972, he visited China, meeting with Chinese leaders, a move that shocked the American public. This was aimed at leveraging the Sino-Soviet split to influence the Soviet Union.

In May 1972, Nixon visited Soviet leader Brezhnev. This meeting led to the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT).

SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty)

SALT aimed to limit the production of new nuclear weapons by both the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

Détente

The policy of détente, meaning a decrease in tension, emerged. This referred to the easing of tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.

By the summer of 1972, Nixon's actions had improved his public image, with potential for ending the Vietnam War.

Watergate Scandal

The Break-in

Occurring in June 1972, the Watergate scandal began with a break-in at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters located in the Watergate Hotel. The Watergate was a hotel complex.

The plan was to bug the phones to eavesdrop on the Democratic Party's conversations, driven by Nixon's paranoia.

Key Figures
  • Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy: They worked for CREEP. They orchestrated the operation but did not participate directly in the break-in.
  • CREEP (Committee to Re-Elect the President): The organization working to get Nixon reelected.
  • Alfred Baldwin: He was positioned in the Howard Johnson across the street, acting as a lookout.
The First Burglary

The initial break-in was successful; the burglars bugged the phones without getting caught.

The Second Burglary and The Tape

Twenty days later, one of the bugs malfunctioned. The team had to re-enter the DNC headquarters to replace it.
To keep the door unlocked, for smooth re-entry, they taped the door, which attracted the attention of a security guard who then called the police.

Arrest

Off-duty officers responded to the call. They were not in uniform and drove an unmarked car, which Baldwin didn't recognize as law enforcement. The officers arrested five burglars inside the DNC headquarters.

Aftermath and Investigation
  • The burglars were found with a large sum of money in sequential bills, raising suspicions of money laundering or counterfeiting.
  • The break-in was initially covered by two young reporters from The Washington Post, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein.
  • The story gained significance when it was discovered that Howard Hunt's name was in the address book of one of the burglars, linking the White House to the crime.
Alfred Baldwin's Revelation

Alfred Baldwin, feeling he was being blamed for the failed operation, went to the FBI and revealed that Howard Hunt and G. Gordon Liddy directed the Watergate burglary on behalf of CREEP.

Nixon's Re-election

Nixon won the 1972 presidential election in a landslide, carrying 49 states. The Watergate scandal had not yet significantly damaged his reputation.

End of Vietnam War (January 1973)

In January 1973, Nixon ended the Vietnam War with a peace treaty involving:

  1. Both countries returning POWs (though controversy remained over whether all POWs were returned).
  2. The U.S. pulling out its troops from Vietnam.
  3. North Vietnamese troops being allowed to stay in South Vietnam, which was a major point of contention.
War Powers Act

In 1973, the War Powers Act was enacted. It limits the president's ability to deploy troops without congressional approval.