Topic 3- The Crisis of political leadership

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  • Created by: x_a_ali_x
  • Created on: 17-02-20 14:35

The president's role as commander-in-chief increased his importance during the cold war- Congress sought to limit his power... HENCE THE WAR POWERS ACT

THE IMPACT OF WATERGATE ON POLITICS AND THE PRESIDENCY

1972, Nixon's committee to re-elect him CREEP wanted to gain an electoral advantage through obtaining Democratic party secrets.

  • CREEP organized 2 illegal break-ins into the Democratic National Committee HQ 
  • The first burglars were apprehended within the Democrat offices on 17th June 1972 and arrested
  • Nixon's initial reaction was mixed- on one hand he seemed unconcerned and on the other hand, he quickly moved to try to cover up the administration's involvement in the break-in
  • Nixon and his aides discussed using the CIA to stop the FBI from investigating 
  • President tries to pay the burglars to keep quiet 
  • BOTH OF THE ABOVE SHOW THE OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE
  • Feb, the Senate started investigating the Watergate affair and public opinion for his admin. dropped
  • 17% 

Nixon had his tape-recorded conversations in the White House. July 1974 the Supreme Court ruled that they had to be released... the House decided to impeach him for the Obstruction of justice and the Abuse of power. To avoid impeachment Nixon resigned on Aug. 1974. 

SIGNIFICANCE= Watergate discredited Nixon's policies and allowed more right-wing Republicans such as Reagan. Secomd, it affected the prestige and power of the presidency. Congress enacted several laws to limit presidential power and avoid another watergate. The Warpowers Act 1973 and the Ethics in government Act 1978. 

Congress jealousy + imperial presidency = Ford and carter to distance themselves and claim to have a new style of leadership

FORD, CARTER AND A NEW STYLE OF LEADERSHIP

Gerald Ford was a respected Congressman fro 1948-1973. he was seen as a regular guy who picked up his own news paper and many american found him relatable. Jimmy Carter Pennsylvannia Avenue, sold teh rpesidential yacht and wore normal clothes for tv broadcastFord's popularity with Congress, the Media and the public fell when he pardoned Nixon as americans believed that he should have been put on trial.

FORD v. CONGRESS AND THE MEDIA= he volunteered to testify b4 congress about the pardon but the pardon had irreparably damaged relations. Ford's informality, frequent indecisive leadership and that fact that he was not an elected President gave the media an opportunity to make fun of him, They played clpis of him falling from ski sloped and a plane ramp.

1976 Presidential election, for was defeated by Democrat Jimmy Carter. this election showed a crisis od political…

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