Glossary
Archibald Cox
The special prosecutor appointed to investigate the Watergate scandal, whose demand for the White House tapes led to the 'Saturday Night Massacre' when Nixon ordered his firing.
Example:
When Archibald Cox insisted on obtaining the full Watergate tapes, Nixon's attempt to fire him sparked a major constitutional crisis.
Enemies List
A list compiled by President Nixon's administration of prominent Americans who were considered political opponents, often targeted for harassment by government agencies like the IRS.
Example:
Being on Nixon's enemies list meant facing increased scrutiny and potential harassment from federal agencies, highlighting the administration's abuse of power.
Executive Privilege
The right of the president to withhold information from Congress or the courts to preserve confidential communications within the executive branch or to protect national security.
Example:
President Nixon tried to invoke executive privilege to prevent the release of the Watergate tapes, but the Supreme Court ultimately ruled against him.
Full and Unconditional Pardon
A complete forgiveness of a federal crime, granted by President Gerald Ford to Richard Nixon for any offenses he may have committed during his presidency.
Example:
President Ford's controversial full and unconditional pardon of Nixon aimed to heal the nation but instead eroded public confidence in Ford and contributed to his electoral defeat.
Grants
Federal funds dispersed to state, county, and city agencies, often in the form of block grants, allowing local governments discretion in how the money is used to meet local needs.
Example:
A city might receive a federal grant to revitalize its downtown area, giving local officials the flexibility to allocate funds for infrastructure, small business support, or cultural projects.
Impeachment
The formal process by which a legislative body brings charges against a high-ranking public official, potentially leading to their removal from office.
Example:
The House Judiciary Committee voted three articles of impeachment against President Nixon, charging him with obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress.
John Dean
White House Counsel to President Nixon who became a key witness in the Watergate investigation, providing crucial testimony about the administration's involvement in the cover-up.
Example:
John Dean famously testified before the Senate Watergate Committee, detailing the efforts to obstruct justice and implicating high-ranking officials.
New Federalism
A political philosophy and policy initiative under President Nixon that aimed to shift power and responsibility for social programs from the federal government to state and local authorities.
Example:
Under New Federalism, states gained more autonomy to decide how federal funds for welfare and education would be spent, rather than adhering to strict federal guidelines.
Plumbers
A covert White House special investigations unit established by President Nixon to stop government leaks, which later engaged in political espionage and sabotage against his perceived opponents.
Example:
The plumbers were initially tasked with investigating national security breaches but became infamous for their involvement in the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters.
Resign
To formally step down from an office or position; President Richard Nixon was the only U.S. president to resign from office.
Example:
Faced with certain impeachment and conviction, Richard Nixon chose to resign from the presidency on August 9, 1974, rather than face removal from office.
Roe v. Wade
A landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision that ruled a woman has a constitutional right to privacy under the Fourteenth Amendment, which includes the right to make the decision to have an abortion.
Example:
The Roe v. Wade ruling established a woman's right to choose, but it also ignited a contentious national debate over abortion that continues to shape American politics.
Silent Majority
A term coined by President Nixon to describe the large, unvocalized group of conservative Americans who he believed supported his policies and traditional values, in contrast to the more vocal counterculture and anti-war protestors.
Example:
Nixon appealed to the silent majority by promising to restore law and order and end the Vietnam War, believing these Americans were tired of social unrest.
Southern Strategy
A political strategy employed by Richard Nixon and the Republican Party to gain political support in the Southern United States by appealing to the racial resentment and conservative values of white voters.
Example:
Nixon's southern strategy involved slowing down school desegregation and appointing conservative judges, which helped the Republican Party gain significant electoral ground in the traditionally Democratic South.
Tape Recordings
Secret audio recordings of conversations in the Oval Office, which became central evidence in the Watergate investigation, proving President Nixon's involvement in the cover-up.
Example:
The existence of the tape recordings was a turning point in the Watergate investigation, as they contained direct evidence of Nixon's efforts to obstruct justice.
United States v. Nixon
A landmark 1974 Supreme Court case that unanimously ruled President Nixon had to turn over the Watergate tapes, rejecting his claim of executive privilege and affirming the rule of law.
Example:
The decision in United States v. Nixon affirmed the principle that no one, not even the president, is above the law, leading directly to Nixon's resignation.
War Powers Act
A 1973 federal law passed over President Nixon's veto, requiring the president to report to Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action and limiting military deployments to 60 days without congressional approval.
Example:
After the secret bombings in Cambodia, Congress passed the War Powers Act to reassert its constitutional authority over the deployment of U.S. military forces.
Watergate Scandal
A major political scandal in the 1970s involving a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex and subsequent attempts by the Nixon administration to cover it up.
Example:
The Watergate Scandal led to widespread public distrust in government and ultimately resulted in President Nixon's resignation.