In this lecture, Dr. Totten argues the Watergate break-in went from a third-rate robbery to a massive intra-governmental cover-up that ultimately took down Richard M. Nixon. Nixon's abuse of power and obstruction of justice caused a constitutional crisis that threatened the rule of law itself. Due to the heroic efforts of reporters, the thorough investigation by the FBI, the placing of principles over party by congressional Republicans, and the impartial conduct of the Supreme Court, justice was finally obtained. Nixon resigned from the presidency, the first president to do so, and was succeeded by Gerald Ford. Nixon's former Vice President, Spiro Agnew, had also resigned due to corruption charges stemming from a decade long bribery scheme that went from Baltimore County all the way into the White House. Nixon's legacy illustrates that Democracy is fragile and requires constant vigilance against the abuse of power and corruption. As a result of Watergate and Vietnam, Americans became extremely disenchanted with the government and politicians, and this distrust remains to this day.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-the-american-people-since-1877/donations