Topic 5

• What was President Nixon paranoid about regarding sensitive information?

  He was paranoid about people leaking sensitive information to the press.
• What was the purpose of the White House Plumbers?

  To stop leaks of sensitive information to the press.
• What was CREEP established for?

  To raise funds for Nixon’s re-election campaign in 1971.
• How were the White House Plumbers connected to CREEP?

  The White House Plumbers were paid by CREEP to spy on and damage Nixon’s potential rivals.
• What happened on 17 June 1972 at the Watergate complex?

  Five men were arrested while repairing bugging devices in the National Democratic Committee’s office.
• How were the arrested men linked to CREEP?

  They were quickly linked to CREEP and some White House staff.
• What was Nixon's response to the allegations of White House staff involvement?

  Nixon and others repeatedly denied any White House staff were involved.
• Who were Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein?

  They were journalists from the Washington Post who played a major role in keeping Watergate in the press.
• What was the outcome of Woodward and Bernstein's reporting on Watergate?

  It raised the profile of Watergate and led Congress to investigate.
• When did the trial of the five burglars begin?

  In January 1973.
• What did James McCord's letter reveal?

  It stated that leading officials in the White House had told the burglars to lie in court.
• How did Nixon respond to the allegations made by McCord's letter?

  Nixon strongly denied any involvement and announced a new investigation.
• Who was sacked as a result of the investigation?

  Bob Haldeman, the White House Chief of Staff, was sacked.
• What significant claim did John Dean make during the Senate Watergate Committee investigation?


  He claimed there had been a cover-up by Nixon.
• What was revealed about Nixon's conversations during the Senate investigation?

  All the President’s conversations at the White House had been taped since 1971.
• Why did Nixon refuse to hand over the tapes initially?

  He insisted it would breach national security.
• How many tapes did Nixon eventually hand over?

  He handed over 7 of the 9 tapes.
• What was the public's reaction to the content of the tapes?

  Many were shocked at how the president spoke about others and the bad language used.
• What did the Supreme Court order Nixon to do?

  They ordered Nixon to hand over all of the tapes.
• What did the tapes reveal about Nixon's involvement in the Watergate scandal?

  They revealed he had been involved in the dirty tricks from the start and had blocked the initial investigation.
• What was the 'smoking gun' that was revealed on 5th August?

  A recording from June 1972 which revealed that Nixon had tried to stop the FBI investigating the break-in.
• What were the charges against Nixon during his impeachment?

  He was accused of obstructing justice, using the FBI and CIA to harass critics, and defying Congress.
• What percentage of the US public agreed with Nixon's impeachment according to an opinion poll?

  66% agreed with his impeachment.
• Why did Nixon resign on 8th August 1974?

  To avoid being impeached.
• What did Gerald Ford do for Nixon on 8th September 1974?

  He granted Nixon a full pardon.
• Why was Ford's pardon of Nixon controversial?

  Millions of Americans wanted to see Nixon brought to justice.
• What was Ford's reasoning for granting Nixon a pardon?

  He stated it was the only way for the country to move on from Watergate.
• What were the six key impacts of Watergate on Nixon and US politics?

  • Ended Nixon's political career and destroyed his reputation.
  • Revealed the behavior of the president's office to the public.
  • Resulted in many government officials being sent to prison.
  • Led to Jimmy Carter's election as president.
  • Caused many Americans to lose trust in the government.
  • Prompted a series of laws to prevent similar events in the future.
• What new laws were passed to restore public faith in the government after Watergate?

  • The War Powers Act of 1973: President cannot go to war without Congress support.
  • The Elections Campaigning Act of 1974: Limits on election contributions and spending.
  • The Congressional Budget Control Act of 1974: President cannot use government money for personal use.
  • The Freedom of Information Act of 1974: Right to access personal documents held by the government.
  • The Privacy Act of 1974: Rules for collecting private data.