Watergate Scandal: Comprehensive Notes

Watergate Scandal Notes

Undermining the Campaign

  • The Committee to Re-elect the President (CREEP) aimed to undermine the Democratic campaign against Nixon.

  • CREEP's headquarters was located at the Watergate Towers, a swanky office and apartment complex in Washington D.C.

  • The break-in occurred on June 17, 1972.

The Break-in and Initial Cover-Up

  • CREEP acted with the knowledge of several high-up Nixon advisors.

  • Nixon was initially unaware of the break-in.

  • Nixon instructed the CIA to cover up any Nixon involvement and prevent the FBI from investigating.

The FBI Investigation and Information Leak

  • Mark Felt, the second in command at the FBI, began feeding information to Washington Post reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward.

  • The reporting led to a Senate committee investigating illegal, improper, and unethical activities in the 1972 election.

  • The investigation began to implicate Nixon.

Spiro Agnew's Resignation & Gerald Ford's Nomination

  • Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned due to income tax evasion charges unrelated to Watergate.

  • President Nixon appointed Gerald Ford, the Republican minority leader in the House of Representatives, as the new Vice President.

  • Ford was well-respected on both sides of the aisle.

The Tapes and Nixon's Downfall

  • Nixon had a paranoia and recorded conversations in the White House and his advisors' offices.

  • The Senate committee learned about the existence of these tapes.

  • Nixon initially refused to turn over the tapes, citing executive privilege.

  • The committee opened televised hearings, captivating millions.

  • Nixon was eventually forced to hand over the tapes after the ruling in United States versus Richard Nixon.

  • The House Judiciary Committee began voting on articles of impeachment against Nixon.

Nixon's Resignation

  • Nixon resigned before impeachment could be carried out, becoming the first president to resign.

Key Players

  • CREEP: Committee to Re-Elect the President

  • Mark Felt: FBI's second in command, known as "Deep Throat"

  • Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward: Washington Post reporters

  • Spiro Agnew: Vice President who resigned due to tax evasion

  • Gerald Ford: Appointed Vice President, later President

The Watergate Break-in Details from the Video

  • The break-in at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters led to Nixon's resignation.

  • Nixon saw enemies and operated with the motto "do unto others before they have a chance to do it to you."

  • The obsession with leaks was a major issue, with Nixon trying to control information.

  • Frank Wills, a security guard, discovered the taped door at the Watergate Office Building.

  • The police arrested five burglars: McCord, Barker, Sturgis, Martinez, and Gonzales.

  • The burglars had bugging devices, tear gas pens, film, locksmith tools, and thousands of dollars in consecutively ordered hundred-dollar bills.

  • James McCord was identified as a former CIA officer and security chief for CREEP.

  • Howard Hunt, who had worked for the CIA, was implicated in the dirty tricks.

  • Presidential press secretary Ron Ziegler dismissed the break-in as a "third-rate burglary attempt."

  • Nixon obstructed justice by using the CIA to blunt an FBI investigation.

  • Deep Throat (Mark Felt) provided critical information, emphasizing the importance of following the money.

  • A $25,000 check linked contributions to Nixon's reelection campaign to the slush fund used to pay the burglars.

  • John Mitchell, the attorney general, controlled the secret fund that paid for undercover activities.

Significance

  • The Watergate scandal changed the country forever, revealing political crime and obstruction of justice at the highest levels of government.

  • The scandal led to increased scrutiny of presidential power and a greater emphasis on government transparency.
    *The phrase, *Follow the money* was popularized as a result of the scandal.