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Vice President Nixon
For eight years Nixon acted as republican vice president for Dwight D. Eisenhower. Eisenhower would likely not have been elected had it not been for Nixon, who acted as his chief political spokesman. -
Nixon Begins Presidency
Republican canidate, elected as the 37th president of America. He ran on the promises of continuing to maintain the Cold War status quo and getting America out of Vietnam. Because he was acting in the antiwar movment he recieved much support from the youth of America. -
Pentagon Papers
Daniel Ellsberg, who worked for the Pentagon, illegally gives records to the New York Times of failed policies from 1968 and 1969. -
"Plumbers" Burgularize Office
Nixon is planning his reelection but has not fulfilled his campaign promise of getting America out of Vietnam. Paranoid Nixon makes an "enemy list" trying to boost his chances of reelection by destroying others' reputations. Nixon makes a group called the "plumbers" to burglarize Ellsberg's psychiatrist's office in order to ruin his reputaion. -
Watergate Scandal
Five members of CRP (a group organized to help Nixon get reelected) "bug" the Democratic party's headquarters at Watergate Complex, to sabotage potential democratic campaigns. The five men were arrested that night. When news spreads about the scandal the White House tries to down play the gravity of the situation. -
Nixon Begins Second Term
Nixon wins his second election by a landslide. He is no longer favored by the youth, but more by the silent majority. It is likely that NIxon would have won the elction even with out his "dirty tricks." -
Nixon's Aides Convicted
Former White House aides G. Gordon Liddy and James W. McCord Jr. are convicted for criminal acts, including burglarizing and wiretapping as part of the Watergate Scandal. The White House is turning into a circus and losing the trust of the American people. -
Watergate Hearing Televised
The Watergate Scandal goes to court (1973-1974) and is viewed on televison by an outraged nation. -
Taping System in White House
Alexander Butterfield reveals at a Watergate hearing that Nixon had a covert taping system installed at the White House to tape secret conversations. Nixon refuses to share these tapes calling on his "executive privileges." -
Agnew Resigns
Vice President Agnew is forced to resign, being only the second vice president to ever do so. Agnew resigned after being found to be involved in a bribery scandal in Maryland. This only futher ads to the chaos of the time. -
Saturday Night Massacre
In an attempt to hide the truth about Watergate, Nixon has the Watergate prosecutor Archibald Cox fired, and then fires his attorney general and deputy attorney general for disagreeing with him, who then resigned instead. Nixon at this point is doing everything he can to cover up all his "dirty tricks." -
Nixon Ordered to Turn in Tapes
Nixon is finally ordered to hand the tapes over to the court by reason that they may contain “evidence relevent to possible criminal activity.” Tapes such as the "Smoking Gun," a recording of Nixon ordering the CIA to stop questioning by the FBI about Watergate, prove Nixon is guilty of involvment in government crimes. -
Nixon's Impeachment Process Starts
The first three articles of Nixon's impeachment are passed, charging him with "high crimes and misdemeanours." -
Nixon Resigns
Nixon is warned that he will be impeached if he does not resign. He does so and Vice President Gerald Ford assumes office as president. -
Nixon is Pardoned
President Ford choses to pardon former President Nixon, in order to premanently end the problem of Watergate by not allowing it to be tried. This action ultimately ended Ford's chance of being elected to a second term.
