On the 17^th June 1972 five burglars were caught inside the Democratic Party Offices in the Watergate complex, Washington. They were trying to place ‘bugging’ devices and steal documents to gain Democratic ‘plans’ for the coming Presidential election. The Democrats complained of ‘dirty tricks’. Richard Nixon – aided by CREEP (Campaign To Re-Elect The President) – easily won the 1972 election and everyone expected the matter of the break–in would ‘blow over’.

Nixon Election Badge

The Cover Up

There is no direct evidence that President Nixon knew about the break-in before it happened. However, people working for him definitely knew about it. When Nixon found this out he decided on a cover-up. The burglars, it was suggested, should be ‘paid off’. It was Nixon’ s misuse of Presidential Power to cover up a crime by his staff, that was a big mistake. The President tried to block investigations by the Police, The Justice Department and even his Congress, but gradually the truth emerged. Throughout, Nixon maintained he was innocent of any wrongdoing.

The Tapes

Since 1970, Nixon had taped all conversations in his Oval Office. When this became known people knew Nixon had tried to cover-up the burglary and his denials had been untrue. He had lied to the American People. Nixon tried to stop the tapes being released – he even cut incriminating sections out and blamed his secretary for erasing it!

Richard Nixon

The tapes shocked many Americans. Nixon used foul language and sounded like a gangster plotting how to get away with it. Nixon was facing impeachment (being removed from office) and even prison! On the 8^th August 1974 Nixon resigned. He is the only ever President to have resigned!

Effects of Watergate

Watergate has serious effects on America. Many Americans felt let down by politicians, especially the President. People felt he had been too powerful. One result was a ‘Freedom of Information Act’, which made it easier for people to obtain official documents and find out what the government is up to.

Watergate weakened the US abroad. When Gerald Ford took over, the north Vietnamese used the confusion to invade south Vietnam, knowing that the US wouldn’t send in troops. In April 1975, South Vietnam fell to the Communists.

Jimmy Carter won the election in 1976. At first popular, he got into difficulty with rising inflation and the oil crisis. His failure to gain the release of hostages held in Iran sealed his defeat in1980. Ronald Reagan followed.

Web Links

FBI Investigation into

Watergate

President Nixon Library and Birthplace Museum

Recommended

Revision Guide

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