Politics and the 1960s

Election of 1960Election of 1960

• Kennedy v. NixonKennedy v. Nixon• Kennedy is young, Kennedy is young,

Catholic, WWII Catholic, WWII VeteranVeteran

• Nixon served with Nixon served with Truman in Office Truman in Office

• Kennedy wins by a Kennedy wins by a razor-thin marginrazor-thin margin

Results of 1960 electionResults of 1960 election

Kennedy Domestic Kennedy Domestic programsprograms

• ““New Frontier”New Frontier”• Investigated a possible price fixing by Investigated a possible price fixing by

U.S. steel companiesU.S. steel companies– Steel companies back down on price increase Steel companies back down on price increase

• Increase in minimum wageIncrease in minimum wage• Twenty-fourth amendmentTwenty-fourth amendment

– Outlawed poll taxOutlawed poll tax

• Equal Pay ActEqual Pay Act– All employees doing substantially the same All employees doing substantially the same

work in the same work-place must be given work in the same work-place must be given equal payequal pay

Assassination of JFKAssassination of JFK

• Dallas, TX, November 22, 1963Dallas, TX, November 22, 1963– President Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline President Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline

rode throw the streets in an open limousinerode throw the streets in an open limousine– Motorcade slowed as it was turning in front of Motorcade slowed as it was turning in front of

the Texas School Book Depositorythe Texas School Book Depository– Lee Harvey Oswald prime suspect Lee Harvey Oswald prime suspect – Jack Ruby shot Oswald as he was being Jack Ruby shot Oswald as he was being

transportedtransported– Conspiracy theoryConspiracy theory

• Did Oswald act alone? Grassy Knoll? Did Oswald act alone? Grassy Knoll?

Lyndon Bain Johnson Lyndon Bain Johnson 3636thth President President

• Inherited civil unrest, Vietnam conflict Inherited civil unrest, Vietnam conflict and dealing with the assassination of a and dealing with the assassination of a President and a wounded nationPresident and a wounded nation

• Expectations were high, hope was highExpectations were high, hope was high• Politically talented and unstoppable Politically talented and unstoppable

ambitionambition• Bullied for votes while in the House of Bullied for votes while in the House of

Representatives and SenateRepresentatives and Senate

Great Society – legislative Great Society – legislative initiativesinitiatives

• Programs: major poverty relief, Programs: major poverty relief, education aid, healthcare, voting education aid, healthcare, voting rights, conservation, beautification rights, conservation, beautification projects, urban renewal & economic projects, urban renewal & economic developmentdevelopment

• Laid the platform for the election of Laid the platform for the election of 1964 against Barry Goldwater1964 against Barry Goldwater

Initiatives of Great Initiatives of Great SocietySociety

• Tax cut: GNP rose form 7.1% in 1964 Tax cut: GNP rose form 7.1% in 1964 to 9.5% in 1966to 9.5% in 1966

• War on poverty: War on poverty: Head StartHead Start for low- for low-income preschool children, income preschool children, Volunteers in Service to AmericaVolunteers in Service to America sent to help people in poor sent to help people in poor communitiescommunities

• Aid in Education: Aid in Education: Elementary and Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965Secondary Education Act of 1965 sent $1.3 billion in aid to statessent $1.3 billion in aid to states

Initiatives continuedInitiatives continued

• MedicareMedicare hospital and low-cost hospital and low-cost medical insurance to people over 65, medical insurance to people over 65, Medicaid Medicaid provides low-cost health provides low-cost health insurance coverage to poor insurance coverage to poor Americans no matter their age who Americans no matter their age who could not afford their own insurancecould not afford their own insurance

• Immigration Act of 1965Immigration Act of 1965 increased quotas and exempted increased quotas and exempted political refugees in the U.S.political refugees in the U.S.

Political DownfallPolitical Downfall

VietnamVietnam

Where is Where is Vietnam?Vietnam?

Why Did the United Why Did the United StatesStates

Fight a War in Vietnam? Fight a War in Vietnam?• Basically to hold the line Basically to hold the line

against the spread of world against the spread of world Communism. America paid Communism. America paid for the war the French fought for the war the French fought against Communist Vietnam against Communist Vietnam as a part of the Truman as a part of the Truman Doctrine (1947) “to help free Doctrine (1947) “to help free peoples to maintain their free peoples to maintain their free institutions and their national institutions and their national integrity against … integrity against … totalitarian regimes.” In the totalitarian regimes.” In the 1950’s, America became 1950’s, America became involved again. involved again.

Longest and Most Longest and Most Unpopular WarUnpopular War

• The Vietnam War was the The Vietnam War was the longest and most unpopular longest and most unpopular war in American history. war in American history. During the war:During the war:– 58,000 Americans lost their 58,000 Americans lost their

lives.lives.• The oldest man killed was 62 The oldest man killed was 62

years old; the youngest, 16.years old; the youngest, 16.• 61% of the men killed were 21 or 61% of the men killed were 21 or

younger.younger.

– 304,000 were wounded.304,000 were wounded.– 75,000 were severely disabled. 75,000 were severely disabled. – The United States spent over The United States spent over

$200 billion dollars on the war. $200 billion dollars on the war.

Conflict Between France & Conflict Between France & VietnamVietnam

• The Vietnam War grew out The Vietnam War grew out of the long conflict between of the long conflict between France and Vietnam.France and Vietnam. – In July 1954, after one In July 1954, after one

hundred years of colonial hundred years of colonial rule, a defeated France was rule, a defeated France was forced to leave Vietnam.forced to leave Vietnam.

– Nationalist forces under the Nationalist forces under the direction of General Vo direction of General Vo Nguyen Giap defeated the Nguyen Giap defeated the allied French troops at the allied French troops at the remote mountain outpost of remote mountain outpost of Dien Bien Phu in the Dien Bien Phu in the northwest corner of Vietnam.northwest corner of Vietnam.

The Geneva Peace The Geneva Peace AccordsAccords

• The Geneva Peace Accords, The Geneva Peace Accords, signed by France and Vietnam signed by France and Vietnam in the summer of 1954, in the summer of 1954, provided for the temporary provided for the temporary partition of Vietnam at the 17th partition of Vietnam at the 17th parallel, with national elections parallel, with national elections in 1956 to reunify the country.in 1956 to reunify the country.

• In the North, a communist In the North, a communist regime, supported regime, supported by the by the Soviet Union and the People's Soviet Union and the People's Republic of China, Republic of China, set up its set up its headquarters in Hanoi under headquarters in Hanoi under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh.the leadership of Ho Chi Minh.

A New Nation in the A New Nation in the SouthSouth

• In 1955, with the help of In 1955, with the help of massive amounts of American massive amounts of American military, political, and economic military, political, and economic aid, the government of the aid, the government of the Republic of Vietnam (South Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) was born. Vietnam) was born.

• The following year, Ngo Dinh The following year, Ngo Dinh Diem, a staunchly anti-Diem, a staunchly anti-Communist figure from the Communist figure from the South, won a dubious election South, won a dubious election that made him president of that made him president of South VietnamSouth Vietnam

The Domino TheoryThe Domino Theory• American policymakers developed the American policymakers developed the

“Domino Theory” as a justification for the “Domino Theory” as a justification for the involvement. This theory stated, “If South involvement. This theory stated, “If South Vietnam falls to the Communist, Laos, Vietnam falls to the Communist, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, India and Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, India and Pakistan would also fall like dominos. The Pakistan would also fall like dominos. The Pacific Islands and even Australia could be Pacific Islands and even Australia could be at risk”.   at risk”.  

The Kennedy ResponseThe Kennedy Response• In typical Kennedy fashion, In typical Kennedy fashion,

the president chose a the president chose a middle route. middle route. – Instead of a large-scale Instead of a large-scale

military buildup or a military buildup or a negotiated settlement, the negotiated settlement, the United States would United States would increase the level of its increase the level of its military involvement in military involvement in South Vietnam through more South Vietnam through more machinery and advisers, but machinery and advisers, but no military troops. no military troops.

Escalation of the ConflictEscalation of the Conflict• By 1962there were 16,000 By 1962there were 16,000

military advisers in Vietnam. military advisers in Vietnam. – The Kennedy administration The Kennedy administration

had managed to run the war had managed to run the war from Washington without the from Washington without the large-scale introduction of large-scale introduction of American combat troops. American combat troops.

– The continuing political The continuing political problems in Saigon, however, problems in Saigon, however, convinced the new president, convinced the new president, Lyndon Baines Johnson, that Lyndon Baines Johnson, that more aggressive action was more aggressive action was needed. needed.

• After a dubious North Vietnamese raid on two After a dubious North Vietnamese raid on two U.S. ships in the Gulf of Tonkin, the Johnson U.S. ships in the Gulf of Tonkin, the Johnson administration argued for expansive war administration argued for expansive war powers for the president. powers for the president.

Attack on American Attack on American ShipsShips

• In August 1964, in response to In August 1964, in response to American and South Vietnamese American and South Vietnamese espionage along its coast, North espionage along its coast, North Vietnam launched an attack Vietnam launched an attack against the C. Turner Joy and against the C. Turner Joy and the U.S.S. Maddox, two the U.S.S. Maddox, two American ships on call in the American ships on call in the Gulf of Tonkin. Gulf of Tonkin. – The first attack occurred on The first attack occurred on

August 2, 1964. August 2, 1964. – A second attack was supposed to A second attack was supposed to

have taken place on August 4, but have taken place on August 4, but authorities have recently concluded authorities have recently concluded that no second attack ever took that no second attack ever took place. place.

The Gulf of Tonkin The Gulf of Tonkin ResolutionResolution

• The Johnson The Johnson administration used administration used the August 4 attack to the August 4 attack to obtain a Congressional obtain a Congressional resolution, now known resolution, now known as the Gulf of Tonkin as the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, that gave Resolution, that gave the president broad the president broad war powers. war powers.

• The Resolution was The Resolution was followed by limited followed by limited reprisal air attacks reprisal air attacks against North against North Vietnam. Vietnam.

Operation Rolling Operation Rolling ThunderThunder

• In early 1965, the NLF attacked two U.S. In early 1965, the NLF attacked two U.S. army installations in South Vietnam, and army installations in South Vietnam, and as a result, Johnson ordered sustained as a result, Johnson ordered sustained bombing missions over North Vietnam. bombing missions over North Vietnam.

• The bombing missions, known as The bombing missions, known as “Operation Rolling Thunder,” caused the “Operation Rolling Thunder,” caused the Communist Party to reassess its own war Communist Party to reassess its own war strategystrategy

Phosphorous & Napalm Phosphorous & Napalm BombsBombs

• ““Operation Rolling Thunder” was Operation Rolling Thunder” was backed up by phosphorous and napalm backed up by phosphorous and napalm bombs – the latter causing dreadful bombs – the latter causing dreadful burns to thousand of innocent burns to thousand of innocent civilians.civilians.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67K1tt-V-lcv=67K1tt-V-lc

Operation Ranch HandOperation Ranch Hand• When this failed to break down the jungle When this failed to break down the jungle

cover the USAF started “Operation Ranch cover the USAF started “Operation Ranch Hand” – the defoliation program, using Agent Hand” – the defoliation program, using Agent Orange. Orange. – This deadly chemical cocktail, containing dioxin, This deadly chemical cocktail, containing dioxin,

killed off millions of acres of jungle to try to killed off millions of acres of jungle to try to weaken the Vietcong – but left a horrendous weaken the Vietcong – but left a horrendous legacy in Vietnam.legacy in Vietnam.

– The dioxin got into the food chain causing The dioxin got into the food chain causing chromosome damage to humans. There were chromosome damage to humans. There were hundreds of cases of children born with hundreds of cases of children born with deformities. deformities.

HelicoptersHelicopters

• Of all aircraft, Of all aircraft, thethe helicopter helicopter was the most was the most useful, dropping useful, dropping platoons in the platoons in the jungle clearings jungle clearings and out again. and out again. They were They were excellent air excellent air ambulances. ambulances.

How did the North VietnameseHow did the North VietnameseFight Back Against the U.S. Fight Back Against the U.S.

Invaders?Invaders?• The North Vietnamese used classic The North Vietnamese used classic

Maoist guerrilla tactics. “Guerrillas Maoist guerrilla tactics. “Guerrillas must move through the peasants like must move through the peasants like fish through sea,” i.e., the peasants fish through sea,” i.e., the peasants will support them as much as they will support them as much as they can with shelter, food, weapons, can with shelter, food, weapons, storage, intelligence, recruits. storage, intelligence, recruits.

North Vietnamese North Vietnamese TacticsTactics

• In areas held by the NLF, the In areas held by the NLF, the Communists distributed the Communists distributed the land to the peasants. (By land to the peasants. (By 1973, 1973, the NLF held about half of the NLF held about half of South Vietnam.)South Vietnam.)

• Their weapons were cheap Their weapons were cheap and reliable.and reliable.

– The AK47 assault rifle out-performed the American The AK47 assault rifle out-performed the American M16M16

– The portable rocket launcher took out many US The portable rocket launcher took out many US vehicles & aircraft.vehicles & aircraft.

– They recycledThey recycled dud bombs dropped by the dud bombs dropped by the Americans. Deadly booby-traps could inflict huge Americans. Deadly booby-traps could inflict huge damage on young American conscripts! damage on young American conscripts!

Tunnel ComplexesTunnel Complexes

• The Vietnamese built large tunnel The Vietnamese built large tunnel complexes such as the ones at Cu Chi complexes such as the ones at Cu Chi near Saigon. This protected them near Saigon. This protected them from the bombing raids by the from the bombing raids by the Americans and gave them cover for Americans and gave them cover for attacking the invaders. attacking the invaders.

Search & Destroy TacticsSearch & Destroy Tactics• The United States countered The United States countered

with “Search and Destroy” with “Search and Destroy” tactics. In areas where the tactics. In areas where the NLF were thought to be NLF were thought to be operating, troops went in operating, troops went in and checked for weapons. If and checked for weapons. If they found them, they found them,

they rounded up the villagers and burned the they rounded up the villagers and burned the villages down. villages down.

• This often alienated the peasants from the This often alienated the peasants from the American/South Vietnamese cause. American/South Vietnamese cause. – As one marine said – “If they weren’t Vietcong As one marine said – “If they weren’t Vietcong

before we got there, they sure as hell were by the before we got there, they sure as hell were by the time we left”. time we left”.

– The NFL often helped the villager’s re-build their The NFL often helped the villager’s re-build their homes and bury their dead.homes and bury their dead.

Protracted War StrategyProtracted War Strategy

• After “Operation After “Operation Rolling Thunder,” the Rolling Thunder,” the Communist Party Communist Party moved to a protracted moved to a protracted war strategy: the idea war strategy: the idea was to get the United was to get the United States bogged down States bogged down inina war that it could not a war that it could not win militarily and win militarily and create unfavorable create unfavorable conditions for conditions for political victory. political victory.

The War in AmericaThe War in America

• The Vietnam War had a The Vietnam War had a major impact on everyday major impact on everyday life in America, and the life in America, and the Johnson administration was Johnson administration was forced to consider domestic forced to consider domestic consequences of its consequences of its decisions daily.decisions daily.

• Since there were not enough Since there were not enough volunteers to continue to volunteers to continue to fight a protracted war, the fight a protracted war, the government instituted a government instituted a draft. draft.

Anti-War SentimentsAnti-War Sentiments

• As the deaths As the deaths mounted and mounted and Americans Americans continued to leave continued to leave for Southeast Asia, for Southeast Asia, the Johnson the Johnson administration was administration was met with the full met with the full weight of American weight of American anti-war anti-war sentiments. sentiments.

Anti-War ProtestsAnti-War Protests

• Protests erupted on college Protests erupted on college campuses and in major cities at first, campuses and in major cities at first, but by 1968 every corner of the but by 1968 every corner of the country seemed to have felt the country seemed to have felt the war's impact.war's impact.

1968 Democratic 1968 Democratic ConventionConvention

• One of the most famous One of the most famous incidents in the anti-war incidents in the anti-war movement was the police riot in movement was the police riot in Chicago during the 1968 Chicago during the 1968 Democratic National Democratic National Convention.Convention.

• Hundreds of thousands of Hundreds of thousands of people came to Chicago in people came to Chicago in August 1968 to protest August 1968 to protest American intervention in American intervention in Vietnam and the leaders of the Vietnam and the leaders of the Democratic Party who Democratic Party who continued to prosecute the war. continued to prosecute the war.

Tragedy Of the ProtestTragedy Of the Protest

• Many of the Many of the protestors protestors crossed the line crossed the line between between protesting the protesting the war and war and protesting the protesting the soldierssoldiers

The Tet OffensiveThe Tet Offensive• By 1968, things had gone from bad to worse for By 1968, things had gone from bad to worse for

the Johnson administration. In late January, the Johnson administration. In late January, North Vietnam and the NLF launched North Vietnam and the NLF launched coordinated attacks against major southern coordinated attacks against major southern cities.cities.

• These attacks, known as the Tet Offensive, were These attacks, known as the Tet Offensive, were designed to force the Johnson administration to designed to force the Johnson administration to the bargaining table. the bargaining table.

The My Lai MassacreThe My Lai Massacre• A serious blow to U.S. credibility A serious blow to U.S. credibility

came with the exposure of the My Lai came with the exposure of the My Lai massacre (March 1968).massacre (March 1968).

• Hushed up at the time and only Hushed up at the time and only discovered by a tenacious journalist, discovered by a tenacious journalist, this involved the killing of 400 men, this involved the killing of 400 men, women and children by US troops.  women and children by US troops. 

A Secret Plan to End the A Secret Plan to End the WarWar

• In late March 1968, a disgraced In late March 1968, a disgraced Lyndon Johnson announced that Lyndon Johnson announced that he would not seek the Democratic he would not seek the Democratic Party's re-nomination for president Party's re-nomination for president and hinted that he would go to the and hinted that he would go to the bargaining table with the bargaining table with the Communists to end the war.Communists to end the war.

• Negotiations began in the spring Negotiations began in the spring of 1968, but the Democratic Party of 1968, but the Democratic Party could not rescue the presidency could not rescue the presidency from Republican challenger from Republican challenger Richard Nixon who claimed he had Richard Nixon who claimed he had a secret plan to end the war. a secret plan to end the war.

Richard NixonRichard Nixon

• President President – From CAFrom CA– RepublicanRepublican– 1969-19741969-1974

• Law and Order Law and Order Candidate Candidate

• Promised to end Promised to end the war with a the war with a winwin

VietnamizationVietnamization

• Nixon's secret plan Nixon's secret plan involved a process called involved a process called “Vietnamization.” This “Vietnamization.” This strategy brought American strategy brought American troops home while troops home while increasing the air war increasing the air war over North Vietnam and over North Vietnam and relying more on the South relying more on the South Vietnamese army for Vietnamese army for ground attacks. ground attacks.

Expansion to Laos & Expansion to Laos & CambodiaCambodia

• The Nixon years also saw the expansion of the The Nixon years also saw the expansion of the war into neighboring Laos and Cambodia, war into neighboring Laos and Cambodia, violating the international rights of these violating the international rights of these countries in secret campaigns, as the White countries in secret campaigns, as the White House tried desperately to rout out House tried desperately to rout out Communist sanctuaries and supply routes.Communist sanctuaries and supply routes.

• This tactic works but proves to be a PR This tactic works but proves to be a PR nightmare for Nixonnightmare for Nixon– He has to pull back into Vietnam for political He has to pull back into Vietnam for political

reasonsreasons– Ends our ability to win the warEnds our ability to win the war

Campus Protests & Campus Protests & ShootingsShootings

• The intense The intense bombing bombing campaigns and campaigns and intervention in intervention in Cambodia in late Cambodia in late April 1970 April 1970 sparked intense sparked intense campus protests campus protests all across all across America. America.

Kent StateKent State

• At Kent State in At Kent State in Ohio, four Ohio, four students were students were killed by National killed by National Guardsmen who Guardsmen who were called out to were called out to preserve order on preserve order on campus after days campus after days of anti-Nixon of anti-Nixon protest.protest.

The Fall to CommunismThe Fall to Communism• From March 1973 until the fall From March 1973 until the fall

of Saigon on April 30, 1975, the of Saigon on April 30, 1975, the South Vietnamese army tried South Vietnamese army tried desperately to save the South desperately to save the South from political and military from political and military collapse. collapse.

• The end finally came when The end finally came when North Vietnamese tanks rolled North Vietnamese tanks rolled south along National Highway south along National Highway One. One.

• On the morning of April 30, On the morning of April 30, Communist forces captured the Communist forces captured the presidential palace in Saigon, presidential palace in Saigon, ending the Vietnam War. ending the Vietnam War.

Why Did the United States Why Did the United States Lose the Vietnam War?Lose the Vietnam War?

1.1. They underestimated the tenacity They underestimated the tenacity and organization of the North and organization of the North Vietnamese and the National Vietnamese and the National Liberation Front.   Liberation Front.  

2.2. Despite dropping Despite dropping more tonnage of more tonnage of high explosive on high explosive on Vietnam than the Vietnam than the whole of World whole of World War II, the War II, the Americans could Americans could not stop the not stop the movement of movement of troops or supplies troops or supplies to the south along to the south along the Ho Chi Minh the Ho Chi Minh Trail.   Trail.  

3.3. The North The North Vietnamese Vietnamese conducted a conducted a “Peoples war” in “Peoples war” in which everyone which everyone played a part. played a part.

4.4. At first, most Americans supported At first, most Americans supported the war. But by 1970, the Peace the war. But by 1970, the Peace Movement had support from all Movement had support from all parts of society and no government parts of society and no government could ignore it. could ignore it.

5.5. After 1969, there After 1969, there were deep were deep questions about questions about the efficiency of the efficiency of US troops. There US troops. There was a serious drug was a serious drug problem; desertion problem; desertion rates were high rates were high and morale low. and morale low. Many troops were Many troops were “time-servers,” “time-servers,” i.e., counted the i.e., counted the days until the tour days until the tour was over. was over.

6.6. The US never really The US never really understood the understood the culture of the culture of the Vietnamese people. Vietnamese people. Coca Cola, chewing Coca Cola, chewing gum, ball point pens, gum, ball point pens, and ice cream cones and ice cream cones could not dislodge could not dislodge their ancient beliefs. their ancient beliefs.

7.7. America was not prepared to keep America was not prepared to keep losing high numbers of casualties losing high numbers of casualties for such limited progress in a for such limited progress in a difficult jungle war, for which they difficult jungle war, for which they were not suited.   were not suited.  

8.8. The strength and resourcefulness of The strength and resourcefulness of the NLF. For example, the highly the NLF. For example, the highly complex Cu Chi tunnel system the complex Cu Chi tunnel system the U.S. never shut down.   U.S. never shut down.  

Nixon and Nixon and WatergateWatergate

The Election of 1968The Election of 1968

• Richard Nixon only narrowly won the 1968 election, but the Richard Nixon only narrowly won the 1968 election, but the combined total of popular votes for Nixon and Wallace indicated a combined total of popular votes for Nixon and Wallace indicated a shift to the right in American politics. shift to the right in American politics.

• The 1960's began as an era of optimism and possibility and ended The 1960's began as an era of optimism and possibility and ended in disunity and distrust. in disunity and distrust.

• The Vietnam war and a series of assassinations and crises eroded The Vietnam war and a series of assassinations and crises eroded public trust in government and produced a backlash against public trust in government and produced a backlash against liberal movements and the Democratic party. liberal movements and the Democratic party.

The Election of 1968The Election of 1968

• Nixon campaigned as a Nixon campaigned as a champion of the "silent champion of the "silent majority," the hardworking majority," the hardworking Americans who paid taxes, Americans who paid taxes, did not demonstrate, and did not demonstrate, and desired a restoration of desired a restoration of "law and order.”"law and order.”

• He vowed to restore He vowed to restore respect for the rule of law, respect for the rule of law, reconstitute the stature of reconstitute the stature of America, dispose of America, dispose of ineffectual social ineffectual social programs, and provide programs, and provide strong leadership to end strong leadership to end the turmoil of the 1960's. the turmoil of the 1960's.

Daniel Ellsberg and the Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers Pentagon Papers

• Daniel Ellsberg was an employee Daniel Ellsberg was an employee of the Defense Department who of the Defense Department who leaked a classified assessment of leaked a classified assessment of the Vietnam War in 1971.the Vietnam War in 1971.

• The 7,000 page document came The 7,000 page document came to be known as the Pentagon to be known as the Pentagon Papers.Papers.

• They cast doubt on the They cast doubt on the justification for entry into the justification for entry into the war and revealed that senior war and revealed that senior government officials had serious government officials had serious misgivings about the war. misgivings about the war.

• When the When the New York Times New York Times and and Washington PostWashington Post began to began to publish the Pentagon Papers, the publish the Pentagon Papers, the Nixon Administration sued them.Nixon Administration sued them.

• The Supreme Court ruled that The Supreme Court ruled that the papers could continue to the papers could continue to publish the documents. publish the documents.

The White House The White House PlumbersPlumbers

• After the release of the After the release of the Pentagon Papers, the White Pentagon Papers, the White House created a unit to House created a unit to ensure internal security. ensure internal security.

• This unit was called the This unit was called the Plumbers because they Plumbers because they stopped leaks.stopped leaks.

• In 1971 they burglarized the In 1971 they burglarized the office of Daniel Ellsberg’s office of Daniel Ellsberg’s psychiatrist, psychiatrist, seeking seeking material to discredit himmaterial to discredit him. .

• It was later revealed that It was later revealed that Nixon’s domestic advisor Nixon’s domestic advisor John Ehrlichman knew of and John Ehrlichman knew of and approved the plan.approved the plan.

Howard Hunt G. Gordon Liddy

James McCord Chuck Colson

Recognize the roles of Recognize the roles of the key figures of the key figures of Watergate (i.e., Watergate (i.e., administration, administration,

investigators, media).investigators, media).

The Watergate Break-inThe Watergate Break-in• When initial polls showed When initial polls showed

Nixon in the Election of Nixon in the Election of 1972, the Plumbers turned 1972, the Plumbers turned their activities to political their activities to political espionage.espionage.

• On 17 June 1972, 5 men On 17 June 1972, 5 men were arrested while were arrested while attempting to bug the attempting to bug the headquarters of the headquarters of the Democratic Party inside the Democratic Party inside the Watergate building in Watergate building in Washington D.C. Washington D.C.

• One of the men arrested, One of the men arrested, James McCord, was the head James McCord, was the head of security for the of security for the Republican Party. Republican Party.

• The Nixon campaign denied The Nixon campaign denied any involvement.any involvement.

Woodward, Bernstein and Woodward, Bernstein and the the Washington PostWashington Post

• Watergate came to public attention largely through the work Watergate came to public attention largely through the work of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, investigative reporters of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, investigative reporters from the from the Washington PostWashington Post. .

• Despite enormous political pressure, Despite enormous political pressure, PostPost editor Ben Bradlee, editor Ben Bradlee, publisher Katherine Graham, Woodward and Bernstein, aided publisher Katherine Graham, Woodward and Bernstein, aided by an enigmatic source nicknamed “Deepthroat” kept the by an enigmatic source nicknamed “Deepthroat” kept the story in the public consciousness until Nixon’s resignation.story in the public consciousness until Nixon’s resignation.

Watergate Enters the Nixon Watergate Enters the Nixon CampaignCampaign

• The break-in was eventually The break-in was eventually tied to the Nixon reelection tied to the Nixon reelection campaign through a $25,000 campaign through a $25,000 check from a Republican check from a Republican donor that was laundered donor that was laundered through a Mexican bank and through a Mexican bank and deposited in the account of deposited in the account of Watergate burglar Bernard Watergate burglar Bernard Barker. Barker.

• Later it was discovered that Later it was discovered that Former Attorney General Former Attorney General John Mitchell, head of John Mitchell, head of Nixon’s “Committee to Re-Nixon’s “Committee to Re-Elect the President,” (CREEP) Elect the President,” (CREEP) controlled a secret fund for controlled a secret fund for political espionage. political espionage.

• Mitchell would later go to Mitchell would later go to prison for his role in the prison for his role in the scandal scandal

The Election of 1972The Election of 1972

• Despite the growing stain of Watergate, which had not yet Despite the growing stain of Watergate, which had not yet reached the President, Nixon won by the largest margin in reached the President, Nixon won by the largest margin in history to that point.history to that point.

The Watergate The Watergate Investigations: Judge John Investigations: Judge John

SiricaSirica• Watergate came to be Watergate came to be

investigated by a Special investigated by a Special Prosecutor, a Senate Prosecutor, a Senate committee, and by the judge in committee, and by the judge in the original break-in case.the original break-in case.

• Judge Sirica refused to believe Judge Sirica refused to believe that the burglars had acted that the burglars had acted alone. alone.

• In March 1973, defendant In March 1973, defendant James W. McCord sent a letter James W. McCord sent a letter to Sirica confirming that it was to Sirica confirming that it was a conspiracy. a conspiracy.

• Sirica’s investigation Sirica’s investigation transformed Watergate from transformed Watergate from the story of a “third-rate the story of a “third-rate burglary” to a scandal reaching burglary” to a scandal reaching the highest points in the highest points in government.government.

Senate Investigation and Senate Investigation and the Oval Office Tapesthe Oval Office Tapes

• The Senate began hearings The Senate began hearings into Watergate in May 1973. into Watergate in May 1973.

• The hearings were televised The hearings were televised in their entirety. in their entirety.

• They focused on when the They focused on when the President knew of the break-President knew of the break-in. in.

• In June 1973, former White In June 1973, former White House legal counsel John House legal counsel John Dean delivered devastating Dean delivered devastating testimony that implicated testimony that implicated Nixon from the earliest days Nixon from the earliest days of Watergate. of Watergate.

Senate Investigation and Senate Investigation and the Oval Office Tapesthe Oval Office Tapes

• The Administration was eager to discredit Dean and his The Administration was eager to discredit Dean and his testimony so it began to release factual challenges to his account. testimony so it began to release factual challenges to his account.

• When former White House aide Alexander Butterfield was asked When former White House aide Alexander Butterfield was asked about the source of the White House information, he revealed the about the source of the White House information, he revealed the existence of an automatic taping system that Nixon had secretly existence of an automatic taping system that Nixon had secretly installed in the Oval Office. installed in the Oval Office.

• These These tapes would become the focus of the investigationtapes would become the focus of the investigation..

The Smoking Gun TapesThe Smoking Gun Tapes• When the Supreme Court forced When the Supreme Court forced

Nixon to surrender the tapes.Nixon to surrender the tapes.• Nixon was implicated from the Nixon was implicated from the

earliest days of the cover-up:earliest days of the cover-up:– authorizing the payment of authorizing the payment of

hush moneyhush money– attempting to use the CIA to attempting to use the CIA to

interfere with the FBI interfere with the FBI investigation. investigation.

• One tape has an 18 ½ minute One tape has an 18 ½ minute gap. gap.

• Nixon’s secretary Rosemary Nixon’s secretary Rosemary Woods demonstrated how she Woods demonstrated how she could have inadvertently erased could have inadvertently erased the tape, but no one bought it. the tape, but no one bought it.

• ““The smoking gun tapes,” were The smoking gun tapes,” were released in August 1974, just released in August 1974, just after the House Judiciary after the House Judiciary Committee approved Articles of Committee approved Articles of Impeachment against Nixon. Impeachment against Nixon.

The Saturday Night The Saturday Night Massacre Massacre

• The Administration reached The Administration reached an agreement with the an agreement with the Senate Watergate Committee Senate Watergate Committee that its Chairman would be that its Chairman would be allowed to listen to tapes and allowed to listen to tapes and provide a transcript to the provide a transcript to the Committee and to Special Committee and to Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox. Prosecutor Archibald Cox.

• The deal broke down when The deal broke down when Cox refused to accept the Cox refused to accept the transcripts in place of the transcripts in place of the tapes. tapes.

• Since the Special Prosecutor Since the Special Prosecutor is an employee of the Justice is an employee of the Justice Department, Nixon ordered Department, Nixon ordered Attorney General Elliot Attorney General Elliot Richardson to fire Cox. Richardson to fire Cox.

Archibald Cox

The Saturday Night The Saturday Night MassacreMassacre

• When Richardson refused, he When Richardson refused, he was fired. was fired.

• Nixon ordered Deputy Nixon ordered Deputy Attorney General William D. Attorney General William D. Ruckelshaus to fire Cox .Ruckelshaus to fire Cox .

• When he refused, he was When he refused, he was fired. fired.

• Nixon then ordered Solicitor Nixon then ordered Solicitor General Robert Bork (who General Robert Bork (who was later nominated for the was later nominated for the Supreme Court by Reagan) to Supreme Court by Reagan) to fire Cox and he complied.fire Cox and he complied.

• The The Washington PostWashington Post reported on the “Saturday reported on the “Saturday Night Massacre.”Night Massacre.”

Robert Bork

Nixon ResignsNixon Resigns• On 27 July 1974, the House On 27 July 1974, the House

Judiciary Committee approved Judiciary Committee approved Articles of Impeachment against Articles of Impeachment against Nixon. Nixon.

• The House was to vote on the The House was to vote on the matter soon. matter soon.

• Nixon conceded that Nixon conceded that impeachment in the House was impeachment in the House was likely, but he believed that the likely, but he believed that the Senate vote to remove him Senate vote to remove him would fail. would fail.

• On 5 August 1974, when the On 5 August 1974, when the “smoking gun tape” became “smoking gun tape” became public, a delegation from the public, a delegation from the Republican National Committee Republican National Committee told Nixon that he would not told Nixon that he would not survive the vote in the Senate. survive the vote in the Senate.

• On 9 August 1974, Richard On 9 August 1974, Richard Nixon became the first Nixon became the first American president to resign. American president to resign.

AftermathAftermath

• More than 30 government officials went to prison for their role in More than 30 government officials went to prison for their role in Watergate. Watergate.

• Richard Nixon was not one of them. Richard Nixon was not one of them. • In September 1974, President Gerald Ford gave Nixon a full pardon. In September 1974, President Gerald Ford gave Nixon a full pardon. • Woodward and Bernstein won the Pulitzer Prize. Woodward and Bernstein won the Pulitzer Prize. • They collaborated on 2 books, They collaborated on 2 books, All the President’s MenAll the President’s Men and and The Final DaysThe Final Days. . • In 1976 In 1976 All the President’s MenAll the President’s Men was adapted into an Oscar winning film. was adapted into an Oscar winning film.• The identity of Deepthroat was kept secret until W. Mark Felt unmasked The identity of Deepthroat was kept secret until W. Mark Felt unmasked

himself in 2005.himself in 2005.

Ford announcing the pardon