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Impact of Watergate on Nixon and US Politics - Coggle Diagram
Impact of Watergate on Nixon and US Politics
Impact on Nixon
The ending of Richard Nixon's political career
He says that he resigned for the good of the county
But he had little choice as impeachment seemed certain
He never faced trial, due to Ford's pardon.
But many people believed he was guilty of planning the robbery and covering it up
White House Recordings
Revealed the extent of the cover up
Showed the reality of life and behaviour in the president's office
There were numerous examples of him attacking minorities (Jews and Italians)
Nixon never apologised or admitted to doing anything wrong, HE believed that the presidents should not be answerable to the law.
The phrase 'Expletive deleted' was used so often in the scripts that it became part of everyday language.
Achievements of Nixon's presidency
Setting up the Environment Protection Agency
Managed to enforce desegregation of schools
Foreign Policy- improved relations with both China and the Soviet Union
Impact on US Politics
Change in Government Staff
Many government officials were tried and over 30 received prison sentences.
The Republican Party tried to distance themselves from Nixon and his advisors
At the next election, the Republican Party lost a large number of seats in the House of Representatives and some seats in the Senate.
In the next presidential election, the Democrats chose Jimmy Carter as their candidate because she was likable, honest and was not seen as part of 'the Washington Set'.
He won though he lacked the skills to be a strong president.
Some historians have argued that Watergate has caused American voters to value honesty over capability in their presidential candidates ever since.
American people lost trust in the government
Republicans and Democrats were believed to be criminals
Many politicians began too publish their financial records and open meetings to the public to show that they were honest.
Watergate led fewer people voting and wanting to become politicians.
It also became more difficult to recruit officials to work for political parties or the Federal government.
Media
The role of Bernstein and Woodward finding out the truth was widely praised and many journalists tried to uncover more scandals.
Political parties and individuals were subject to more focus.
It was also negative as journalists were often quick to publish 'scandals' without having the evidence to support them.
New Laws
1973 War Powers Act
- Stopped president going to war without Congress' approval.
1974 Election Campaign Act
- Set limits on election campaign spending and contributions.
1973 House and Senate Open Meeting Rules
- all committee meetings has to be open to the public
1974 Freedom of information Act
- gave people the right to access any government documents in which they featured.
1974 Privacy Act
- set rules on how the government could collect information on individuals
1974 Congressional Budget Control Act
- set rules on how the president could use government money.