An exploration of the Watergate scandal -one of the biggest American political scandals of the 20th century – its causes, and how it reshaped the American political system.
Watergate Scandal Summary
- Break-in: On June 17, 1972, five men were caught breaking into the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C.
- Nixon Connection: Investigations revealed ties between the burglars and President Richard Nixon’s re-election campaign.
- Cover-up: Nixon and his administration attempted to hide their involvement by obstructing the investigation, including paying hush money and destroying evidence.
- Secret Tapes: Nixon recorded conversations in the Oval Office. When subpoenaed, he initially refused to release them, leading to a legal battle.
- Smoking Gun Tape: A released tape proved Nixon ordered the cover-up, confirming his involvement.
- Resignation: Facing impeachment, Nixon resigned on August 8, 1974, the only U.S. president to do so.
- Aftermath: Several Nixon aides were convicted, and the scandal led to increased scrutiny of government actions and reforms in campaign finance and transparency.
The Watergate Scandal Explained
The Watergate scandal was a major political controversy in the United States during the early 1970s that ultimately led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. The scandal began with a break-in at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters in the Watergate Office Building in Washington, D.C., on June 17, 1972. Five men were arrested during the break-in, and it was soon discovered that they were connected to Nixon’s reelection campaign, known as the Committee to Re-Elect the President (CREEP). The men had been attempting to wiretap phones and steal documents, but the incident was only the beginning of a broader pattern of corruption.
To this day, the suffix “-gate” is often used to describe other political scandals.
Following the break-in, members of Nixon’s administration attempted to cover up their involvement. They engaged in various illegal activities, such as obstructing investigations, paying hush money to the burglars, and using government agencies to harass political opponents. President Nixon himself became implicated when it was revealed that he had participated in efforts to conceal the administration’s role in the break-in. The cover-up unravelled as investigative journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein from The Washington Post uncovered crucial details about the scandal, with assistance from an anonymous source known as Deep Throat (later revealed to be FBI Associate Director Mark Felt). Congressional hearings, led by Senator Sam Ervin, brought the scandal into the public spotlight.
Watergate Smoking Gun Tapes
A major turning point came with the discovery of Nixon’s secret White House tape-recording system, which contained evidence of his involvement in obstructing justice. A tape from June 23, 1972, became known as the “smoking gun” because it revealed Nixon’s direct attempts to interfere with the FBI’s investigation. This revelation caused Nixon to lose political support, and with impeachment looming, he chose to resign on August 8, 1974, becoming the first U.S. president to do so. He left office the following day, and Vice President Gerald Ford succeeded him.
In the aftermath of Watergate, many of Nixon’s aides and associates were convicted of crimes, including White House Counsel John Dean and Attorney General John Mitchell. President Ford later pardoned Nixon on September 8, 1974, preventing him from facing criminal charges. The scandal had a lasting impact on American politics, leading to reforms such as the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 and changes to campaign finance laws. Watergate significantly eroded public trust in government and became a symbol of political corruption.
Common FAQs
What is the Watergate scandal in simple terms?
It revolved around members of a group associated with Nixon’s 1972 re-election campaign breaking into and planting listening devices in the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate Office Building.
What was found in the Watergate scandal?
The arrest and eventual conviction or guilty pleas of the five men uncovered a series of wiretaps, slush funds, political sabotage, unjustified firings, and even kidnapping, all in an attempt to re-elect the president.
What exactly did Richard Nixon do?
Reduction of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, détente with the Soviet Union and China, the Moon landing, and the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.