Unit 11 Nixon and Watergate Watergate Exam 1

Unit 11: Nixon and Watergate

Watergate Exam 1. Creep 2. John Mitchell 3. Plumbers 4. John Dean 5. Woodward/Bernstein 6. Watergate 7. James Mc. Cord 8. Alexander Butterfield 9. Saturday Night Massacre 10. Richard Nixon v. USA

• Ellsberg became upset about his part in the war-became an anti-war demonstrator. • He tried to speak to Nixon about the Pentagon Papers. Nixon refused to see him. He gave a copy of report to the New York Times. • These were stories of “cover-ups” during the war.

• Nixon had Ellsberg arrested for giving classified information to the press. • The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Ellsberg • Report was not classified, according to the Court-study created by Mc. Namara, Secretary of State-no executive order was ordered…Mc. Namara created this in a “private matter. ”

• President Nixon begins his campaign for re-election in 1971. • He hires Attorney General John Mitchell : head of CREEP. • He creates CREEP • Mitchell resigns as the Committee to Re Attorney General to -Elect the President accept position. Who does this? ?

The White House Plumbers • The White House created a special unit within CREEP to ensure internal security. Howard Hunt James Mc. Cord G. Gordon Liddy Chuck Colson • This unit was called the Plumbers because they stopped leaks. (information from reaching the Press/public)

The Watergate Break-in • Nixon feared he could lose the 1972 Election. So…the Plumbers turned their activities to political spying. • On 17 June 1972, 5 men were arrested while attempting to bug the headquarters of the Democratic Party inside the Watergate building in Washington D. C.

Watergate Burglars-all Cuban exiles from Miami

• Another man arrested a few days later , James Mc. Cord, was the head of White House security. • Nixon and White House deny any involvement-”these men acted on their own. ”

• One week later, Nixon tells the American public he has ordered his White House attorney, John Dean, to investigate the break -in: “no one in the White House was involved. ”

Woodward, Bernstein and the Washington Post • Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, Washington Post Reporters began to investigate this story.

Watergate Enters the Nixon Campaign • Woodward/Bernstein report that the break-in was eventually tied to the Nixon reelection campaign. • a $25, 000 check was deposited in the bank account of a Watergate burglar, Bernard Barker • “hush money” • John Mitchell, head of CREEP, approved this.

• The Watergate story became 5 th/6 th page stories in newspapers-most people were convinced that the White House was not involved with Watergate. • November of 1972 Nixon wins 49 out of 50 states to win the Election of 1972.

The Watergate Investigations: Judge John Sirica • January 1973 Watergate Burglars are found guilty for the break-in. • In March 1973, defendant James W. Mc. Cord sent a letter to Sirica confirming that it was a cover-up, involving the White House.

• Judge Sirica advises the US Senate to investigate the Watergate Story. • He believes there really could be a “major” conspiracy.

Senate Investigation and the Oval Office Tapes • The Senate began hearings into Watergate in May 1973. • The hearings were televised in their entirety. • Richard Nixon announces that John Dean and two aides are involved in a cover-up of Watergatethey are fired!

• Woodward and Bernstein were receiving information from an undisclosed source which who became known as “Deep Throat. ” • It was someone within the governmenteveryone wanted to know who the source was……they never told anyone…….

• John Dean is called to testify before the committee. • He testifies that Richard Nixon knew of the Watergate break-in, and approved it-this backs up all the stories that Woodward/Bernstein were reporting in the Washington Post.

Senate Investigation and the Oval Office Tapes • When former White House aide Alexander Butterfield was asked about the source of the White House information, he revealed the existence of an automatic taping system that Nixon had secretly installed in the Oval Office.

The Smoking Gun Tapes • Committee demands the tapes-Nixon refuses-”matter of national security. • Nixon announces to the American public that he has hired a special prosecutor to investigate Watergate -will assist the committee. (Archibald Cox)

The Saturday Night Massacre Archibald Cox • Nixon tried to reach a deal to provide transcripts of some tapes. • The deal broke down when Cox refused to accept the transcripts in place of the tapes. • Nixon ordered Attorney General Elliot Richardson to fire Cox.

The Saturday Night Massacre • When Richardson refused, he was fired. • Nixon ordered Deputy Attorney General to fire Cox. • When he refused, he was fired. Robert Bork

• Nixon then orders • The Washington Post the Solicitor General, reports this story as Robert Bork, to fire the “Saturday Night Cox-he does so…. Massacre. ”

• The USA government • In the case Richard takes Nixon to court, Nixon v. the United asking for the tapes. States of America, the Supreme Court ruled that Nixon must turn over tapes.

• Nixon turns over • Supreme Court some of the reminds Nixon that tapes…. . and provides he must turn over all edited transcripts of tapes…. he finally the tapes…. they does… reveal a “dark side” of Richard Nixon.

• The tapes reveal that Richard Nixon knew of Watergate, and used the FBI and CIA to stop the investigation. (Cover-up)

Nixon Resigns • On 27 July 1974, the House Judiciary Committee approved Articles of Impeachment against Nixon. (Reasons to remove the president from office) • Obstruction of Justice • Abuse of Power • The House was to vote on the matter soon. • On August 9, 1974, Richard Nixon became the first American president to resign.

Aftermath Ford announcing the pardon • More than 30 government officials went to prison for their role in Watergate. • In September 1974, President Gerald Ford gave Nixon a full pardon-preventing him from going to jail.

Mark Felt Assistant Director of FBI