Chapter 31, Student Web Activities, The American Journey, Glencoe, 2003

Chapter 31: Search for Stability
"Watergate"

Introduction
In this chapter you read about the turmoil of the 1960s and 1970s. The Vietnam War created an atmosphere in which Americans questioned their leaders on foreign policy. Watergate created an atmosphere of distrust for all politicians. In this activity you will take a closer look at the scandal that led Richard Nixon to resign the presidency.

Destination Title: Watergate Info

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Directions
Start at the Watergate Info Web site.

Scroll down to read the material on the opening page.
In the menu on the left of the screen, click on Brief Timeline and scan the list of events.
Then click on Aftermath in the menu on the left. Read the information.
Finally, click on Speeches. Scroll down and click on Resignation Speech. Read this speech, and then click on and Read the speech Nixon might have made if he had decided not to resign.

Use what you have learned to answer the following questions.

1. What important information did Alexander Butterfield reveal on July 13, 1973?

2. Describe the effect the Watergate scandal had for investigative journalists and the media.

3. What reasons did Nixon give for resigning the presidency in his resignation speech?

4. In the other speech prepared by Nixon’s speechwriter, what reasons might he have given for NOT resigning the presidency?

5. The investigative reporting of Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward uncovered much of the evidence in Watergate. Using information from the Web site, write your own investigative newspaper story about the Watergate scandal.