Post on 14-Dec-2015
Watergate: Nixon’s DownfallWatergate: Nixon’s Downfall
How does the Watergate cover up lead to Nixon’s downfall?
All The President’s Men:
HR Haldeman- Chief of Staff
John Ehrlichman– Domestic Policy Advisor
John Mitchell– Head of CREEP (Nixon’s re-election)
John Dean - White House Counsel Charles Colson- Special
Counsel to PresidentHoward Hunt CIA
Break in at the DNC After Pentagon Papers, John Ehrlichman & Charles Colson
appoint Howard Hunt to run “the plumbers” to stop future leaks Plumbers break-in to Daniel Ellsberg’s psychiatrist office June 17th, 1972: Burglars are caught trying to “bug” the
Democrats’ HQ at the Watergate hotel The Press learns that leader of burglary James McCord worked
for CREEP (Committee to RE-Elect the President)
Answer Question #1
The Cover Up HR Haldeman informs Nixon of break-in & suggests a cover up
1. Shred all documents pertaining to break-in
2. Use CREEP money to buy burglars silence
3. Ask FBI to stop investigation (national security) Only media covering the story are two Washington Post
reporters Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein 1972 election Nixon wins in a landslide
Answer Question #2
Cover-up Unravels
As the burglars are about to go on trial, James McCord admits that he originally lied about the break-in
Woodward & Bernstein find out McCord worked with Howard Hunt & the Plumbers
W & B find out Colson, Haldeman, Ehrlichman Mitchell and John Dean knew about plumbers & were trying to cover it up
W & B are being fed more information by an informant at the White House code named “Deep Throat”
2005: Washington Post has confirmed that Mark Felt, Asst FBI director, was Deep Throat
Answer Question #3
Answer Question #4
White House Tapes
CREEP director John Mitchell resigns, Colson, Haldeman & Ehrlicman are forced to resign for their role in the cover-up
Nixon fires WH counsel John Dean Senate begins an investigation, Dean reveals President knew of
the cover up, White House denies accusations During hearings its revealed that there was a taping system in
the Oval Office Senate demands Nixon turn over tapes, Nixon claims innocence
Nixon v. US Nixon refuses to give up tapes cites “executive privilege” Sp Prosecutor Archibald Cox takes Nixon to court over tapes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5AndvL7Y9k Answer Questions 5,6,7 VP Spiro Agnew resigns due to tax evasion issues New Sp Pros Jaworski takes case to Supreme Court – SC forces
Nixon to hand over tapes Despite 18 minute missing gap, tapes show Nixon knew of cover-up –
House begins impeachment proceedings