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Nixon & Watergate. The End for LBJ & American Liberalism. Social Turmoil of the mid to late 1960’s causes “ white backlash.” Causes: 1. Vietnam war – Anti-war demonstrations. 2. Civil rights—Violence and riots. 3. Counterculture (hippies!)
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The End for LBJ & American Liberalism • Social Turmoil of the mid to late 1960’s causes “white backlash.” • Causes: • 1. Vietnam war – Anti-war demonstrations. • 2. Civil rights—Violence and riots. • 3. Counterculture (hippies!) • To many whites (especially middle-class, blue collar), society seems to be unraveling and they blame the party in power (The Democrats). • Also feel that they are being neglected—the minorities and women are getting the attention. • This begins America’s move towards conservatism.
Nixon’s Comeback • Had lost to Kennedy in 1960 and then ran for gov. of CA and lost that too. • Claimed to represent the “Silent Majority,” people who were following the rules and not protesting, etc. • Said that he would restore “Law & Order” • Said that he had a secret plan to end the Vietnam war in which the US would achieve “Peace with Honor.”
Nixon Wins! • Republican Richard Nixon wins the 1968 presidential election. • He wins again in 1972.
A. Imperial Presidency • B. Mean Spirited & suspicious. • C. Small Inner Circle.
What was the Enemies List? • List of people that Nixon and his advisors felt were “against them.” • They spied on them. • Ordered IRS to harass them.
What was CREEP? • Committee to re-elect the president. • Used some of the $ for “dirty tricks” against opponents.
Who were the Plumbers? • Special investigations unit of CREEP that was supposed to prevent security leaks. • One of the Plumbers, G Gordon Liddy, came up with the plan for Watergate.
What was Watergate? • Office-apartment complex. • Democratic National Committee has an office there. • G. Gordon Liddy comes up with the plan to break into the Watergate complex and plant “bugs” to figure out what the Democrats are doing.
What Happened at the Arrest? • CREEP Burglars are arrested during break-in. • People have telephone # to White House. • White House denies.
Woodward & Bernstein • Bob Woodward & Carl Bernstein were Washington Post reporters on Watergate beat.
Secret source = “Deep Throat.” • Identity of Deep Throat revealed in 2005 = Mark Felt, the #2 guy in FBI.
Senate Investigation • Chaired by Sam Ervin. • John Dean, the White House Counsel, testifies that there had been a cover up and that Nixon had directed it. • Another witness tells that Nixon had secretly taped all of his conversations in the White House.
The Tapes • Nixon refused to give them up. • Was ordered to by court. • Tapes showed the dark side of Nixon—petty, vindictive, lots of profanity, and ethnic slurs. • Some of the tapes have “gaps.”
Impeachment • House Judiciary Committee begins Impeachment proceedings. • Nixon Resigns • He was not impeached!
Ford Pardons Nixon • Nixon’s first VP, Spiro Agnew, had been forced to resign (evading taxes and taking bribes). • Gerald Ford was chosen to replace him. • Ford Becomes first President never elected as either Pres. Or VP. • He Pardons Nixon.
What Nixon Did Wrong • He had people break into the Democratic headquarters. • He tried to cover it up. • He lied about it.
Review • What things did Nixon promise when he ran for President in 1968? • What were the group of people that Nixon claimed to represent? • What did Nixon say he would achieve in Vietnam? • What was “Watergate”? • How did Watergate impact Nixon’s presidency?
