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1. III. Abuse of Presidential Power 
2.  Watergate Scandal  
3. A. The Case Watergate – Cover up of a botched burglary @ the Democratic National Committee headquarters
Located in the Watergate Apartments 
6. B. Drive Toward Reelection Nixon lived with a constant fear of losing elections 
Election of 1972 – Nixon not only wanted to defeat his opponent he wanted to destroy his opponent 
Wanted to gain an advantage by any means possible  
7. C. The Plan  Nixon wanted to break into the Watergate and photograph all important Democratic documents
Also planned to bug their telephones 
8. June 17, 1972 – Apartment guard caught five men trying to break in
Committee to Reelect the President (CREEP) – Leader of this committee (James McCord)  is one of the men  
9. D. Let the Lies Begin  Word of this leaks to the public
Nixon quickly claims to have no knowledge of the break in 
American people believe Nixon and he won the largest Republican victory in history  
11. “Deep Throat” – Mark Felt 
12. E. Cover Up  After the news of Watergate breaks Nixon destroys many documents 
Senate begins to investigate the Watergate Scandal 
Nixon addresses the nation telling them he did not attempt a cover-up 
13. What Documents? 
14. F. More Trouble for Nixon  1971-1972 – Discovered that Nixon only paid 1000 in taxes on his $250,000 salary 
Nixon claims: “I am not a crook.” 
15. G. Fall of a President  Nixon refused to give up his presidential tapes claiming it would violate national security 
Supreme Court forced Nixon to give up the tapes (United States v Nixon)
House begins to write up impeachment charges  
17. August 8, 1974 – Nixon announces his resignation
Avoids being the first President to be removed from office 
 
18. Nixon After His Resignation 
19. H. Effects of Watergate  43% - Of Americans had “hardly any” faith in the Executive Branch 
Leads to a general cynicism about public offices that continues to this day