Watergate in American history refers to a scandal that occurred in America during the reign of President Richard Nixon and the president himself was involved in it. The scandal occurred a time when the Americans had faced threats, such as energy crisis and Vietnam war, that came from nations that were considered to be small. Although, Nixon had led the nation out of the war the citizens had started questioning and losing confidence with the elected leaders and the role of the nation in the world. Nixon had done well in shaping the nation’s foreign policy with other nations like China and Soviet Union. His involvement in the Watergate scandal in 1972 became the root cause of his resignation. In this paper I will look on the events that surrounded Watergate, their larger impact comprising special effects on America.
Watergate scandal was a break-in that occurred at Democratic National Committee headquarter offices in Washington with an intention of stealing political intelligence of the Democratic party. Burglars who were funded by Nixon, the republican party candidate, who was seeking re-election were caught red handed bugging phones and stealing important party documents. Though, Nixon denied his involvement and got re-elected, when the saga was unearthed later by investigative agencies like Senate committee, media and House Judiciary Committee, the tapes from White House provided undisputable evidence of his hand in the scandal.
Although, Nixon was pardoned all the crimes he had done while in the office by his successor, President Gerald Ford, he was accused of frustrating justice whereby he ordered firing of his senior staffs who would provide the much needed evidence in what came to be known as the Saturday night massacre. Other accusations were abuse of power by use of state resources in the scam, criminal cover up by refusing to avail tapes from his office to the investigators and other violations of the constitution (History.com, 2020).
The immediate short term effects of the Watergate Scandal included president Richard Nixon yielding to resignation, senior officials in the Nixon administration being found guilty and charged, Gerald Ford who was the vice president taking over and becoming the president, the trust people had with the Executive arm of the government diminished and during 1974 elections republican party lost 49 House of representative seats and 5 senate seats to Democratic party. Nixon is the only president in the American history who has resigned while in office. The notable figures who were sent to federal prison included; John Mitchell who was the Attorney General was imprisoned for 19 months, Gordon Liddy who was a former staff of FBI stayed four and half years in prison, Haldeman who was the chief of staff spent 19 months on the bars among others. Gerald Ford remains a one person who became vice president and president without passing electoral college. He took both positions as a result of resignations (History.com, 2020).
The major effects of the Watergate scandal to the America are; citizen lost the confidence they had with politicians, creation of Ethics in Government Act and the rise of investigative reporting. Before the Watergate scandal citizens had trust with the public institutions and their elected leaders. Even after the scandal citizen still held their trust on Nixon and they re-elected him to the office of the president. But, after the investigations showed Nixon was on the wrong the trust they had went down. The 1972 research that was done by Gallup Poll before the Watergate scandal showed that half of the adults believed the government was doing the right thing nearly always, but, in 2020 the research by Pew Research Center showed that only 20% of the American adults believes or have confidence with the government. Since, the Watergate days American citizens have not been able to trust the government and public institutions as before (Pew Research Center, 2020).
The Ethics in Government Act was passed for several reason. One, it was meant to provide financial and employment engagement history of people seeking public offices. This was to prevent people with questionable character and scandals in joining public service. Two, it had the provision of independent counsel. The provision wanted an independent counsel to be appointed to carry out investigation and prosecute federal personnel involved in scandals and other gross misconduct. There was a believe that an independent counsel would do a deeper and thorough investigation without interference as Nixon had done by firing the special prosecutor, Cox, in order to suppress enquiry. The provision led to investigations that took a lot of time and resources and did not bear expected fruits. For example, the probe of Bill Clinton involvement in Whitewater scandal by Ken Starr, who was an independent counsel. The provision roles were taken over by the Justice Department when the term of the provision expired (History.com, 2020).
Following the great work that was done by reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward of unearthing the Watergate scandal investigative reporting emerged as an area of interest in Journalism and media and in 1975 an organization, Investigative Reporters and Editors, was given to birth. This area of knowledge has helped not only Americans but the world as a large in unearthing wrongdoings that are perpetrated in secret. For example, it has brought to the limelight cases like; Tethered to the Machine, Reveal American Rehab, The Last Patrol, among others of late (Longreads, 2020).
In conclusion, Watergate scandal was a good example of political corruption. Nixon wanted to use the power, resources and people in positions of public leadership for personal gain. He wanted to sway the election to his favor. Malpolitics shows the greed of the people entrusted with public offices. The Watergate scandal clearly shows that political corruption does not end well and it can hurt nations and generations as it is the case in America.
Watergate scandal was a break-in that occurred at Democratic National Committee headquarter offices in Washington with an intention of stealing political intelligence of the Democratic party. Burglars who were funded by Nixon, the republican party candidate, who was seeking re-election were caught red handed bugging phones and stealing important party documents. Though, Nixon denied his involvement and got re-elected, when the saga was unearthed later by investigative agencies like Senate committee, media and House Judiciary Committee, the tapes from White House provided undisputable evidence of his hand in the scandal.
Although, Nixon was pardoned all the crimes he had done while in the office by his successor, President Gerald Ford, he was accused of frustrating justice whereby he ordered firing of his senior staffs who would provide the much needed evidence in what came to be known as the Saturday night massacre. Other accusations were abuse of power by use of state resources in the scam, criminal cover up by refusing to avail tapes from his office to the investigators and other violations of the constitution (History.com, 2020).
The immediate short term effects of the Watergate Scandal included president Richard Nixon yielding to resignation, senior officials in the Nixon administration being found guilty and charged, Gerald Ford who was the vice president taking over and becoming the president, the trust people had with the Executive arm of the government diminished and during 1974 elections republican party lost 49 House of representative seats and 5 senate seats to Democratic party. Nixon is the only president in the American history who has resigned while in office. The notable figures who were sent to federal prison included; John Mitchell who was the Attorney General was imprisoned for 19 months, Gordon Liddy who was a former staff of FBI stayed four and half years in prison, Haldeman who was the chief of staff spent 19 months on the bars among others. Gerald Ford remains a one person who became vice president and president without passing electoral college. He took both positions as a result of resignations (History.com, 2020).
The major effects of the Watergate scandal to the America are; citizen lost the confidence they had with politicians, creation of Ethics in Government Act and the rise of investigative reporting. Before the Watergate scandal citizens had trust with the public institutions and their elected leaders. Even after the scandal citizen still held their trust on Nixon and they re-elected him to the office of the president. But, after the investigations showed Nixon was on the wrong the trust they had went down. The 1972 research that was done by Gallup Poll before the Watergate scandal showed that half of the adults believed the government was doing the right thing nearly always, but, in 2020 the research by Pew Research Center showed that only 20% of the American adults believes or have confidence with the government. Since, the Watergate days American citizens have not been able to trust the government and public institutions as before (Pew Research Center, 2020).
The Ethics in Government Act was passed for several reason. One, it was meant to provide financial and employment engagement history of people seeking public offices. This was to prevent people with questionable character and scandals in joining public service. Two, it had the provision of independent counsel. The provision wanted an independent counsel to be appointed to carry out investigation and prosecute federal personnel involved in scandals and other gross misconduct. There was a believe that an independent counsel would do a deeper and thorough investigation without interference as Nixon had done by firing the special prosecutor, Cox, in order to suppress enquiry. The provision led to investigations that took a lot of time and resources and did not bear expected fruits. For example, the probe of Bill Clinton involvement in Whitewater scandal by Ken Starr, who was an independent counsel. The provision roles were taken over by the Justice Department when the term of the provision expired (History.com, 2020).
Following the great work that was done by reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward of unearthing the Watergate scandal investigative reporting emerged as an area of interest in Journalism and media and in 1975 an organization, Investigative Reporters and Editors, was given to birth. This area of knowledge has helped not only Americans but the world as a large in unearthing wrongdoings that are perpetrated in secret. For example, it has brought to the limelight cases like; Tethered to the Machine, Reveal American Rehab, The Last Patrol, among others of late (Longreads, 2020).
In conclusion, Watergate scandal was a good example of political corruption. Nixon wanted to use the power, resources and people in positions of public leadership for personal gain. He wanted to sway the election to his favor. Malpolitics shows the greed of the people entrusted with public offices. The Watergate scandal clearly shows that political corruption does not end well and it can hurt nations and generations as it is the case in America.
