The Watergate scandal is one of the most infamous political scandals in American history. It all started on June 17, 1972, when five men were caught breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington D.C. What began as a seemingly small break-in led to a series of events that would ultimately bring down the presidency of Richard Nixon. Here is a step-by-step guide to the Watergate scandal.
1. The Break-In
On June 17, 1972, five men were caught breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington D.C. They were caught by a security guard who alerted the police. The men were arrested and found to be carrying wiretapping equipment, cameras, and thousands of dollars in cash. The incident was initially dismissed as a routine burglary, but it soon became clear that there was more to the story.
2. The Investigation Begins
The investigation into the Watergate break-in began the day after the burglary. The FBI was brought in to investigate, and it soon became clear that the men who had been caught were connected to the Committee to Re-Elect the President (CRP), which was Nixon's campaign organization. The connection was made through a check found on one of the burglars, which was made out to the CRP.
3. The Washington Post Breaks the Story
The Watergate story might have gone nowhere if it wasn't for the persistence of two reporters at the Washington Post, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. The reporters received a tip from a source known only as "Deep Throat," who turned out to be FBI agent Mark Felt. Woodward and Bernstein spent months investigating the story, slowly piecing together the details of what had happened.
4. The Senate Watergate Committee is Formed
As the Watergate story gained traction, there was growing pressure for a full investigation. In February 1973, the Senate voted to create a special committee to investigate the Watergate scandal. The Senate Watergate Committee was chaired by Democrat Sam Ervin and included both Democrats and Republicans.
5. The White House Tries to Cover Up
As the investigation into Watergate continued, it became clear that the White House was involved in a cover-up. Nixon and his advisers were determined to keep the truth from coming out, and they went to great lengths to obstruct the investigation. The cover-up involved everything from destroying evidence to paying hush money to witnesses.
6. The Tapes are Discovered
One of the key pieces of evidence in the Watergate scandal was a series of recordings made by Nixon in the Oval Office. The recordings had been made secretly and were not supposed to be public knowledge. However, they were discovered during the investigation and became a central part of the evidence against Nixon.
7. The Saturday Night Massacre
As the Watergate investigation continued, Nixon became increasingly desperate to stop it. In October 1973, he ordered Attorney General Elliot Richardson to fire special prosecutor Archibald Cox, who was leading the investigation. Richardson refused and resigned in protest. Nixon then ordered Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus to fire Cox, but he also refused and resigned. Finally, Solicitor General Robert Bork agreed to fire Cox, and the incident became known as the "Saturday Night Massacre."
8. Nixon Resigns
As the evidence against him mounted, Nixon became increasingly isolated. In July 1974, the House Judiciary Committee voted to recommend impeachment, and it became clear that there was no way for Nixon to avoid being removed from office. On August 8, 1974, Nixon announced his resignation, becoming the first president in American history to do so.
9. Fallout from Watergate
The Watergate scandal had a profound impact on American politics and society. It shattered public trust in the government and raised serious questions about the rule of law in the United States. In the aftermath of the scandal, Congress passed a series of reforms designed to increase transparency and accountability in government. These included the Ethics in Government Act, which required public officials to disclose their finances and created the Office of Government Ethics to oversee ethics rules for executive branch employees.
The legacy of Watergate also extended to the media. The investigative reporting of Woodward and Bernstein helped to establish a new era of journalism, in which investigative reporting and holding those in power accountable became a central mission of the press.
In conclusion, the Watergate scandal was a defining moment in American history. What began as a small break-in ultimately led to the downfall of a president and raised serious questions about the integrity of American democracy. The scandal had far-reaching consequences that are still felt today, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency, accountability, and the rule of law in a democratic society.
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