How much do you know about one of the biggest political scandal in American history? By using the Internet, you and a partner are going to explore this intriguing political scandal. It not only changed the country, but also the way journalists do investigative reporting. Find the answers to each of the following questions by visiting the Washington Post’s Watergate web site. Write your answers on a separate sheet of lined paper. Use complete sentences.
1. What incident began the political scandal known as Watergate? When did it take place?
2. Who are Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein? What was their role in uncovering the Watergate scandal?
3. How did Watergate affect politics and journalism?
4. Who was Deep Throat? What role did he play in the unveiling of Watergate?
5. Each of the following people was a key player in the Watergate scandal. What was each person’s role in the Watergate scandal? How was each person punished?
- H. R. Bob Haldemann
- E. Howard Hunt
- G. Gordon Liddy
- Jeb Magruder
- John Mitchell
- Donald Segretti
- Hugh Sloan
- Maurice Stans
6. How did the Washington Post have a special relationship with the Watergate scandal?
7. Scan each of the following articles about Watergate and answer the questions:
- “GOP Security Aide among Five Arrested in Bugging” (6/9/72)
This was the first article to appear in Post about Watergate.)
What happened to the $25,000 cashier’s check that was supposed to be used for Nixon’s re-election campaign?
- “Mitchell Controlled Secret GOP Fund” (9/29/72)
What was John N. Mitchell responsible for?
How did he feel about the Post publishing this story?
- “FBI Finds Nixon Aides Sabotaged Democrats”
How did the Watergate bugging incident begin?
What had Nixon’s campaign contributions been set aside for? What was the money used for?
- “Judiciary Committee Approves Article to Impeach President Nixon 27 to 11”
Why did the committee approve impeaching Nixon?
Why was this so shocking?
What agencies did Nixon misuse for his own political purposes?
English & Journalism 