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Chapter 32: Nixon Administration and Watergate Downfall

Chapter 32: Nixon Administration and Watergate Downfall. New Conservatism. New Federalism: distribute portion of federal power to state and local government - accomplished this through revenue sharing

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Chapter 32: Nixon Administration and Watergate Downfall

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  1. Chapter 32: Nixon Administration and Watergate Downfall

  2. New Conservatism New Federalism: distribute portion of federal power to state and local government - accomplished this through revenue sharing Did expand welfare programs but with the intention of reducing the oversight role of federal government Had to work with a democratic government Law and order politics - Faced a democratic Congress

  3. Nixon’s Southern Strategy • Southern Strategy: tried to attract Southern conservative Democrats by appealing to their unhappiness with federal desegregation policies and Supreme Court • Slow integration – ordered Department Health, Education, Welfare to delay desegregation in South Carolina; opposed extension of Voting Rights Act of 1965 • Attempted to stop integration through busing • Able to appoint new judges to the Supreme Court; more conservative direction

  4. Nixon’s Foreign Policy Triumphs • Realpolitik: “political realism”; foreign policy should be based solely on consideration of power, not ideals or moral principals (developed by Kissinger) • Détente: policy aimed at easing Cold War tension • Nixon visits China • US had not formally recognized China since Communist takeover • Take advantage of China/Soviet break • “Only Nixon could go to China” • Nixon travels to Moscow • First US president to visit Soviet capital • SALT I (Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty): limit numbers ICBMs

  5. Watergate Break-in • June 17, 1972: guard at Watergate complex catches 5 men breaking in • Burglars’ plan: photograph documents outlining democratic strategy for upcoming election • James McCord: group leader, former CIA agent, security coordinator for Committee to Reelect the President (CRP) • John Mitchell, who had resigned as Nixon’s attorney general, CRP director • White House cover-up: Haldeman shreds all evidence; ask CIA to urge FBI to stop investigation; offer money to burglars to buy silence

  6. Cover-Up Unravels • Washington Post writers: Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward write a series of articles uncovering information about the involvement of White House staff in burglary • James McCord admits to judge had lied under oath; knew about the involvement of White House officials • Senate investigation • John Dean testifies to Nixon’s involvement • Saturday Night Massacre

  7. Fall of a President • Nixon releases edited transcripts in Spring 1974; did not satisfy investigators • July 24: High court demands President must surrender tapes • July 27: House Judiciary Committee approves three articles of impeachment • August 5: Nixon releases tapes; gaps in the conversations – one conversation, however, did reveal Nixon’s knowledge and role in the break-in • August 8: Nixon resigns from office before the whole House can vote on impeachment

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