Watergate

6 Pages 1520 Words

watergate scandal


George McGovern, the Democratic presidential nominee the year of 1973, called it ''the mother of all
White House scandals.'' Watergate was in fact the name of the biggest political scandal in United States
history. It involved illegal activities such as burglary, wire-tapping and espionage. All designed to help
Richard Milhous Nixon to win re-election in 1972 But, instead it resulted in the resignation of president
Nixon. On June 17, 1972 five men were caught breaking into the headquarters of the Democratic
National Committee. The headquarters were in a large apartment building complex called Watergate.
The men had intended to photograph documents and to place wire taps on the telephones. The
group’s leader was James McCord who was on the committee to reelect the President and was also
handling Nixon’s campaign. Papers found in the pocket of one of the burglars led to White House staff
members. Which meant that there were more people involved then just the original seven. The
cover-up started to begin. The Nixon administration hid and shredded any and all documents, which
could lead to any, connected between the white house and the burglars. Weeks later the seven
Watergate defendants were indicted and were paid money for their silence. Throughout 1972 little was
said about the Watergate scandal. A poll showed that most Americans had not even heard of it. In
November, Nixon was overwhelming reelected and in 1973 the trial of Watergate seven was held. All
defendants pleaded guilty or were convicted and it seemed as if the whole mess was over. Then on
March 23, 1973 Judge John Si...