Cold War presentations supposed to be todayBut we're like 15 minutes behind, so we're talking about Watergate instead.Watergate:5 men were caught breaking into Democratic party headquarters at the Watergate Hotel in Washington DC on June 17, 1972 to find dirt on them. they had heard a rumor that a callgirl ring was operated there. they went in and out undetected- but they realized one of their bugs (because they had bugged the phones) wasnt working, so they went back in to fix it and were caught.Two Washington Post reporters, Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward, investigated the story. they found it odd that the burglars had not stolen money but had been paid in hundred dollar bills to bug the phones.they got info from the assistant director of the FBI, who hinted for them to "follow the money".This became one of a series of scandalous acts involving the Committee to Re-Elect the President. Nixon downplayed the scandal and denounced the story as biased and misleading.FBI eventually confirmed that Nixon aides had attempted to sabotage the Democrats - many began resigning and faced prosecution. Nixon was involved by trying to cover up the break-in (obstruction of justice) and eventually resigned from the presidency.Nixon resigned from office to avoid being impeached. And quote: "Always give your best. Never get discouraged. Never be petty. Always remember, others may hate you. But those who hate you don't win unless you hate them. And then you destroy yourself. And so, we leave with high hopes in good spirit, and with deep humility.""People have got to know whether or not their President is a crook. Well, I am not a crook. I've earned everything I've got." -Nixon, on a British talk show where he admitted he made a lot of mistakes, but did not own up to Watergate. Frost vs. Nixon, a movie.In the years after he resigned, he redeemed himself and became a good advice-giver, kinda like Winston Churchill.Next President.Gerald Ford - 38th president, 1974-1977Leslie Lynchking was his dad's name. Gerald and his mother left his father, and Gerald took his step-father's last name. Gerald was really good at football. he could have gone pro, NFL, but he opted for politics. Married Betty, an alcoholic. The Betty Ford Institute is to help people sober up permanently.Appointed vice pres. then appointed Pres. he was the only guy not elected to either position, but appointed for both.He granted conditional amnesty to draft-dodgers, who did not feel the Vietnam draft was fair. but other people thought that wasnt fair that they were getting amnesty.Charles Manson was a psycho cult-leader. Two women attempted to assassinate Ford in California- unrelated to one another, 17 days apart. one was a follower of Manson, the other was just really angry for some reason.Ford fully pardoned Nixon. people did not like that, because it made it seem like the president was above the law.so, Ford was not a very popular president. he also raised taxes and there was some deal about inflation. -Whip Inflation Now, or "WIN" - called for Americans to reduce their spending and consumption in an attempt to stop inflation."I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your president by your ballots, and so I ask you to confirm my presidency with your prayers."Some people thought there was some kind of "corrupt bargain" between ford and nixon.Education for All Handicapped Children Act (1975)- established special education in school throughout the US.Continued detente with the USSR. Ford wanted to help South Vietnman when North Vietnam invaded in 1974 but Congress refused. By april 1975 all of vietnam was Communist.
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