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The Watergate Scandal
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Nixon Campaign Promise
While campaigning for the presidency, Nixon makes the promise of getting the United States out of Vietnam through Vietnamization, the replacing of U.S. troops with Vietnamese troops. -
Bombing of Cambodia and Laos
Nixon decides to hit Vietnamese sanctuaries to stop the flow of supplies to them, however this was seen as an escalation of the war, not an end to it. -
The Pentagon Papers
Daniel Ellsburg, an employee for the Pentagon, releases records to the New York Times discussing Nixon's failed policies that ultimately admit to America losing the war in Vietnam. -
"Enemies List"
Around the time of the 1972 elections, Nixon realizes how enraged the American public is becoming over his not keeping his promise of ending the war in Vietnam. Nixon decides to eliminate anyone who might stand in his way of remaining President and Daniel Ellsburg is the first on the list. -
The Plumbers and The Psychiatrist
Nixon's paranoia leads to his forming of the "plumbers." They are sent to destroy Daniel Ellburg's pyschiatrist's office. -
CREEP
The Republican Committee to Re-Elect the President (CREEP), virtually a group of ex-plumbers, is sent to make sure other candidates campaigning for the presidency can not become viable candidates. Through covert operations, CREEP vandalizes events, posters, and anything that belongs to the other candidates. -
The Watergate Break-In
CREEP takes it one step too far by sending five men to break into, place electronic spy "bugs" in, and destory the Democratic party's headquarters at the Watergate Complex. Upon word of the break-in, the White House calls it a "third rate burglary attempt." -
Nixon Elected
Nixon wins the election of 1972 and remains president. -
The Cover-Up
Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein begin investigating the Watergate Scandal and see that money belonging to CREEP is used to pay anyone involved in their covert operations. This became known as the cover-up. -
White House Employees
Top White House staffers Harry Robins Haldeman and John Ehrlichman along wtih Attorney General Richard Kleindienst are no longer employed for the White House. This brings a lot of attention to the situation of Watergate. -
Watergate Hearings
The Senate Watergate Committee begins its nationally televised hearings. Under the new Attorney General, Elliot Richardson, Archibald Cox is appointed the independent prosecutor. -
The Tapes
John Dean reveals to Watergate investigators that Nixon has discussed the Watergate scandal and ten days later, Alexander Butterfield reveals that all of Nixon's Oval Office conversations have been recorded since 1971. -
Turning The Tapes In
After a year of Nixon refusing to turn over the recorded tapes, the Supreme Court unanimously rules that he must turn them over, rejecting his claims of "executive privilege." -
Resignation
Atfer realizing that impeachment and resignation are his only options, Nixon becomes the first president to resign on August 8th, 1974 in a dramatic television appearance. Gerald R. Ford becomes president and would later pardon Nixon of all charges related to the Watergate case.
