Nixon's Presidency and Watergate Scandal 1968-1974

Image of Five U.S. Presidents included: Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon, George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, and Jimmy Carter.

Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) disgraced due to the Vietnam War.
The Tet Offensive marked a pivotal moment leading to Johnson's decision to not seek re-election in 1968.
The Democratic Party faced collapse amid significant internal strife. - Eugene McCarthy vs. Robert Kennedy for party control. - Both candidates received considerable anti-war support. - Robert Kennedy assassinated by Sirhan Sirhan.
The Democratic National Convention in Chicago was marked by mass protests against the Vietnam War. - American public witnessed radical anti-war protests and counterculture on television.
VP Hubert Humphrey won the Democratic nomination despite chaos in the party.

Civil Rights progress met with opposition from groups like the Black Panther Party, which diverged from Martin Luther King Jr.'s strategies.
Major riots in cities followed the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy, portraying the volatility of the time.
George Wallace, promoting a Third Party, appealed to whites through backlash against civil rights progress.
Republican Richard Nixon elected as President amidst upheaval in domestic affairs.
Foreign events included the My Lai Massacre, continued Cold War tensions, Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia, and the USS Pueblo incident, where the U.S. Navy was attacked by North Korean forces.
Various organizations formed to mobilize against the Vietnam War: - National Mobilization Committee to End the War. - Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). - Youth International Party (YIPPIES) led by Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin.

Nixon was known for resilience and great political experience;
However, he maintained a reserved and remote personality.
Became a polarizing figure, willing to oppose various groups including political opponents, media, and leaders of anti-war movements.

H. R. Haldeman: Chief of Staff, advertising executive who campaigned for Nixon.
John Ehrlichman: Personal lawyer and later Chief Domestic Advisor.
John Mitchell: Attorney General, played prominent role in Nixon's campaign.
Henry Kissinger: National Security Advisor who later became Secretary of State, had no prior ties to Nixon.

Stagflation: High inflation alongside stagnant economic growth and high unemployment experienced in the 1970s. - Triggered by adverse shocks like sudden increases in oil prices.
Nixon implemented several policies: - Taxed imports to balance trade and imposed wage and price controls to combat inflation. - Stopped the gold standard to reduce currency value and boost U.S. exports.
Inflation was exacerbated by OPEC's oil embargo in response to U.S. support for Israel during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

Although Nixon supported cutting federal social programs, he moderated cuts to avoid alienating voters.
Promoted New Federalism, shifting responsibility from federal to state governments, impacting welfare and social services.

Nixon criticized civil rights advancements fearing backlash from white southern voters.
Sought to maintain a fragile balance with his “southern strategy,” slowing down desegregation efforts and opposing school busing.
He attempted to restrict the extension of certain provisions of the Voting Rights Act (1965), but Congress continued to support these measures.

Nixon appointed four new justices to the Supreme Court, reshaping its ideological framework. - Warren Burger became Chief Justice; initial appointments were moderate, later leaned conservative.
Some appointees were rejected by the Senate due to concerns over racial bias.

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon, accompanied by Buzz Aldrin.
The mission garnered overwhelming global viewership and instilled national pride.

Détente: Emphasis on easing tensions with the Soviet Union and China, marked by significant diplomatic visits. - Notable agreements included SALT I aimed at limiting nuclear arms.
Vietnam War: Strategies included “Vietnamization” - a plan to gradually withdraw U.S. troops while boosting South Vietnamese forces.
Nixon's policy was framed as “Peace with Honor” to highlight differences with Democrats who sought immediate withdrawal.
Conducted Cambodian bombing raids to target North Vietnamese supply routes, complicating U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

Watergate refers to the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and subsequent cover-up efforts by the Nixon administration.
Led to significant political scandal and public distrust in government following Nixon's attempts to obstruct investigations.

CREEP (Committee to Reelect the President): Engaged in funding improper activities, including “dirty tricks” against opponents.
Pentagon Papers: Leaked by Daniel Ellsberg, revealing deceptive practices regarding the Vietnam War, escalating the administration's secretive behavior and resulting in break-ins.
The trial of the Watergate burglars revealed extensive corruption and misuse of Presidential power.

Investigative efforts by Woodward and Bernstein (Washington Post) brought public attention to the scandal.
Disclosure of a secret taping system in Nixon's office added pressure as the Senate sought access to recordings relating to the cover-up.
Saturday Night Massacre: An incident where Nixon attempted to fire Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox, which led to widespread criticism and further investigations into presidential misconduct.

Following the realization of criminal cover-ups, Nixon's position became untenable as public support and Congressional backing eroded.
On August 8, 1974, faced with impeachment, he officially resigned—becoming the first U.S. President to do so.
After his resignation, Gerald Ford was sworn in as President, later pardoning Nixon for any crimes committed while in office.

26th Amendment: Granted 18-year-olds the right to vote, reflecting shifts in societal values amidst distrust of government.
Passage of the War Powers Resolution imposed restrictions on the use of military force by presidents without Congress's approval.
Enhanced transparency was enacted through strengthened provisions of the Freedom of Information Act and the Independent Counsel Act, aiming to enforce accountability in government and protect civil liberty during the crisis.