Watergate

Reading Comprehension
Passage and Questions
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Name: ____________________________________________________ Date: __________ Class:____
Watergate: The Scandal that Rocked American Politics
Directions: Read the following excerpts from and answer the question below.

Watergate stands as one of the most infamous

episodes in American political history, forever altering
public perceptions of government integrity and
accountability. The scandal originated with a break-in
at the Democratic National Committee headquarters
at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C.,
on June 17, 1972. The perpetrators were later
revealed to be connected to Nixon's re-election
campaign, raising suspicions of political espionage and
illegal activities sanctioned by the highest levels of
government.
As details of the break-in emerged, journalists and investigators began to unravel a web of corruption, deceit,
and abuse of power within the Nixon administration. The scandal escalated when it was revealed that Nixon
and his aides had orchestrated a cover-up to conceal their involvement in the break-in and other illicit
activities, including the use of campaign funds to finance espionage operations against political opponents.

One of the most dramatic moments in the Watergate saga occurred on October 20, 1973, during what came to
be known as the "Saturday Night Massacre." In a desperate attempt to quash the investigation, Nixon ordered
the firing of special prosecutor Archibald Cox, who had been appointed to oversee the Watergate probe.
Attorney General Elliot Richardson and Deputy Attorney General William Ruckelshaus resigned in protest
rather than carry out Nixon's directive, leading to a constitutional crisis and a public outcry against executive
overreach.

The Supreme Court's ruling in Nixon v. United States further exposed the extent of Nixon's culpability in the
Watergate scandal. The case revolved around the legality of Nixon's refusal to comply with subpoenas for
White House tape recordings, which contained crucial evidence of his involvement in the cover-up. In a
unanimous decision, the Court rejected Nixon's claim of executive privilege and ordered him to surrender the
tapes to investigators, dealing a severe blow to his presidency and paving the way for his eventual downfall.

The Watergate scandal prompted a series of congressional hearings and investigations, including the formation
of a special prosecutor's office to probe into the matter. Testimony from key witnesses, including former White
House counsel John Dean and Nixon's own secret recordings of Oval Office conversations, implicated the
president in the cover-up and obstruction of justice. Faced with mounting pressure and the prospect of
impeachment, Nixon resigned from office on August 8, 1974, becoming the first and only president in U.S.
history to do so.

The Watergate scandal had far-reaching consequences for American politics and governance. It shattered
public trust in the presidency and government institutions, exposing the vulnerabilities of democracy to abuses
of power and corruption. The scandal led to significant reforms aimed at increasing transparency,
accountability, and oversight of the executive branch, including the passage of campaign finance laws and the
establishment of new mechanisms for congressional oversight.

Watergate serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked executive authority and the importance
of upholding the rule of law and democratic principles. It underscores the critical role of a free press and
independent judiciary in holding government officials accountable and safeguarding the rights and liberties of
citizens. The legacy of Watergate continues to inform debates over presidential power, government ethics, and
the balance of powers in the United States, reminding future generations of the enduring importance of
vigilance and civic engagement in preserving the integrity of American democracy.
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Name: ____________________________________________________ Date: __________ Class:____
Watergate: The Scandal that Rocked American Politics
1. What event marked the beginning of the Watergate scandal?
a) The firing of special prosecutor Archibald Cox
b) The resignation of President Nixon
c) The break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters
d) The Supreme Court ruling in Nixon v. United States

2. What was the significance of the "Saturday Night Massacre"?

a) It led to the resignation of President Nixon.
b) It exposed Nixon's involvement in the Watergate cover-up.
c) It resulted in the firing of special prosecutor Archibald Cox.
d) It prompted a constitutional crisis and public outcry against executive overreach.

3. What was the outcome of Nixon v. United States?

a) Nixon was acquitted of all charges.
b) The Supreme Court upheld Nixon's claim of executive privilege.
c) The Court ordered Nixon to surrender the White House tapes.
d) The case was dismissed due to lack of evidence.

4. Who resigned in protest during the "Saturday Night Massacre"?

a) John Dean c) Elliot Richardson and William Ruckelshaus
b) Archibald Cox d) Richard Nixon

5. How did Nixon's secret recordings of Oval Office conversations contribute to the Watergate scandal?
a) They revealed Nixon's involvement in the break-in.
b) They implicated Nixon in the cover-up and obstruction of justice.
c) They provided evidence of campaign finance violations.
d) They exposed corruption within the Democratic National Committee.

6. What was the outcome of the Watergate scandal for Nixon?

a) He was impeached by Congress. c) He was acquitted of all charges.
b) He resigned from office. d) He was pardoned by his successor.

7. What role did congressional hearings play in the Watergate scandal?

a) They exonerated Nixon of any wrongdoing.
b) They confirmed Nixon's involvement in the break-in.
c) They led to significant reforms in campaign finance laws.
d) They implicated Nixon in the cover-up and obstruction of justice.

8. How did the Watergate scandal affect public trust in government institutions?
a) It increased public trust in the presidency.
b) It had no impact on public trust.
c) It shattered public trust in the presidency and government institutions.
d) It strengthened public trust in the judiciary.

9. What reforms were prompted by the Watergate scandal?

a) Reforms aimed at increasing presidential power
b) Reforms aimed at decreasing transparency
c) Campaign finance laws and mechanisms for congressional oversight
d) Expansion of executive privilege

10. What does the legacy of Watergate emphasize?

a) The importance of unchecked executive authority
b) The necessity of a weak judiciary
c) The dangers of abuse of power and corruption
d) The irrelevance of a free press

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Name: ____________________________________________________ Date: __________ Class:____
Watergate: The Scandal that Rocked American Politics

1. How did the "Saturday Night Massacre" contribute to the escalation of the Watergate scandal?

2. Discuss the significance of the Supreme Court's ruling in Nixon v. United States.

3. How did Nixon's secret recordings of Oval Office conversations impact the investigation into the Watergate
scandal?

4. Describe the outcome of the Watergate scandal for President Nixon.

5. Explain the long-term consequences of the Watergate scandal for American politics and governance.

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Watergate: The Scandal that Rocked American Politics

**Multiple Choice Answers:**

1. c) The break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters

2. d) It prompted a constitutional crisis and public outcry against executive overreach.
3. c) The Court ordered Nixon to surrender the White House tapes.
4. c) Elliot Richardson and William Ruckelshaus
5. b) They implicated Nixon in the cover-up and obstruction of justice.
6. b) He resigned from office.
7. d) They implicated Nixon in the cover-up and obstruction of justice.
8. c) It shattered public trust in the presidency and government institutions.
9. c) Campaign finance laws and mechanisms for congressional oversight
10. c) The dangers of abuse of power and corruption

**Short Response Answers:**

1. The "Saturday Night Massacre" contributed to the escalation of the Watergate scandal by sparking
a constitutional crisis and public outcry against executive overreach. Nixon's attempt to fire special
prosecutor Archibald Cox raised concerns about obstruction of justice and abuse of power.

2. The Supreme Court's ruling in Nixon v. United States was significant as it rejected Nixon's claim of
executive privilege and ordered him to surrender the White House tapes, which contained crucial
evidence of his involvement in the Watergate cover-up. This decision dealt a severe blow to Nixon's
presidency and contributed to his eventual resignation.

3. Nixon's secret recordings of Oval Office conversations provided crucial evidence that implicated
him in the cover-up and obstruction of justice related to the Watergate scandal. These recordings
revealed Nixon's involvement in illegal activities and efforts to conceal his administration's
wrongdoing.

4. The outcome of the Watergate scandal for President Nixon was his resignation from office on
August 8, 1974. Faced with mounting pressure and the prospect of impeachment, Nixon chose to
resign rather than face removal from office by Congress.

5. The long-term consequences of the Watergate scandal for American politics and governance
include increased transparency, accountability, and oversight of the executive branch. The scandal led
to significant reforms, such as campaign finance laws and mechanisms for congressional oversight,
aimed at preventing abuses of power and preserving the integrity of American democracy.

2024 Weave Rush History