■ Essential Question:
–What was the Watergate scandal & how did it change American politics in the 1970s?
■ Warm-Up Question:
–What was Nixon’s greatest feat in foreign policy: Vietnam, China, or the Soviet Union? Explain
Quick Review: Why was Nixon overwhelmingly re-elected as
president in 1972? Why was Nixon so popular?
Conservative domestic policy:•Lowered gov’t spending•Reduced social programs
Active foreign policy:•Ended the war in Vietnam•“Opened” China •Détente with the USSR
Nixon was insecure & paranoid about power:• He kept an “enemies list” of people he
suspected were out to undermine his policies• “Tricky Dick” used his position as president
to spy on, infiltrate, & sabotage his “enemies” • These tactics & fears were the reasons for the
Watergate scandal that ended his presidency
In what ways might Nixon have been
“his own worst enemy”?
What do you see in this image?
Watergate Inquiry Activity■ Student Handout A: THE BREAK-IN
–Read the background information–With your partners, discuss
“Critical Thinking Question A”–After a brief class discussion, fill in the
missing information on your cartoon from the image on the next slide
The Watergate Scandal: A Visual Review
Gordon Liddy & Gordon Liddy & the “Plumbers” the “Plumbers”
Watergate Inquiry Activity■ Student Handout B: INVESTIGATION
–Read the background information–With your partners, discuss
“Critical Thinking Question B”–After a brief class discussion, fill in the
missing information on your cartoon from the image on the next slide
The Watergate Scandal: A Visual Review
Watergate Inquiry Activity■ Student Handout C: CONGRESSIONAL
HEARINGS –Read the background information–With your partners, discuss
“Critical Thinking Question C”–After a brief class discussion, fill in the
missing information on your cartoon from the image on the next slide
The Watergate Scandal: A Visual Review
Watergate Inquiry Activity■ Student Handout D: THE SECRET TAPES
–Read the background information–With your partners, discuss
“Critical Thinking Question D”–After a brief class discussion, fill in the
missing information on your cartoon from the image on the next slide
The Watergate Scandal: A Visual Review
Watergate Inquiry Activity■ Student Handout E: NIXON RESIGNS
–Read the background information–With your partners, discuss
“Critical Thinking Question E”–After a brief class discussion, fill in the
missing information on your cartoon from the image on the next slide
The Watergate Scandal: A Visual Review
Why is Watergate such an important event in
U.S. history?
How did Watergate change the way
Americans perceive their political leaders?
Do you think Nixon’s actions were different from most politicians?
Should Nixon’s presidency be judged more in his foreign
policy successes or the Watergate scandal? Why?
Effects of Watergate ■ The Watergate scandal changed America:
–The scandal eroded public trust in their political leaders; Added to the distrust created by the Vietnam War
–Revealed the importance of the media in serving as a “watchdog” of the gov’t
–Congress assumed more leadership–Uncertainty whether prosecutors
would charge Nixon with crimes