History 65

Watergate

March 9, 2006

I. Nixon and World Affairs

            1. Domestic Affairs (politics-first strategy: feminism/environmentalism, domestic spending; civil rights and “strict constructionists”)

            2. Grand Strategy (US/Soviet/PRC triangle; continuing Cold War in Chile, Philippines?; Vietnam, “secret plan,” Americanization, and “peace with honor”)

            3. Confronting Congress (nature of congressional power—subcommittees, appropriations, framing public opinion; Symington Subcommittee and investigation of US commitments, role of Symington in ABM fight, transformation of congressional attitude toward military affairs; Cambodia and Cooper-Church, constitutional crisis?, McGovern-Hatfield and end-the-war amendment)

II. Nixon and the Constitution

            1. The Political Culture of Richard Nixon (conception of politics; dirty tricks legacy; merging of commander-in-chief clause and domestic authority—Kent State, Huston Plan; Pentagon Papers case; Nixon reaction; extension into politics)

2. The Origins of Watergate (memories of 1960 and origins of cover-up—CREEP and bugging of DNC headquarters; arrest and Nixon attempts to obstruct justice—role of CIA, Pat Gray and leaderless FBI; Watergate in 1972 campaign—McGovern attacks, disputes at Post, Patman inquiry, Nixon victory)

3. The Cover-up Unravels (four-pronged assault on Nixon: press—role of Woodward/Bernstein and eventually Post; lower-level judiciary: importance of Sirica; Senate—Sam Ervin and country lawyering; special prosecutor—Cox’s agenda; Nixon response: invocation of executive privilege)

4. The Fall of Nixon (erratic administration response: Dean, Haldeman, Erlichman dismissed; Agnew resignation; evading subpoenas; Saturday Night Massacre; 18½ minute gap; House Judiciary Committee and impeachment hearings; US v Nixon and Nixon’s resignation)

The midterm will include 10 of the deviously designed IDs below; you will have to identify and explain the significance of 7 of those 10.