Watergate Scandal: A History from Beginning to End

by Hourly History

Discover the shocking history of the Watergate Scandal...
Free BONUS Inside!

In the summer of 1972, as the US presidential campaign was gathering pace, incumbent President Richard Nixon faced a challenge from Democratic Senator George McGovern. In general, President Nixon was well-regarded, particularly for a number of notable foreign policy successes, and polls seemed to suggest that he would have little difficulty in defeating McGovern to win a second term. As predicted, Nixon won a landslide victory and officially began his second term in January 1973. But something had happened in the summer of 1972 that, although it was virtually unnoticed at the time, would fatally undermine Nixon’s presidency and eventually lead to his downfall.

In the early hours of June 17, police were called to the massive Watergate Hotel and Office Complex in Washington, DC. On the sixth floor, in the offices where McGovern’s campaign was being planned and controlled, they discovered and arrested five burglars. This event wasn’t immediately a major news story—in fact, many newspapers ignored it completely—but over the next two years, the attempted break-in at the Watergate complex would become the heart of the biggest political scandal ever to hit America and the direct cause of a constitutional crisis.

How did that happen? And why has the word “Watergate” become a synonym for political scandal and corruption? Dive into the true story of the Watergate Scandal.

Discover a plethora of topics such asThe Break-inWoodward and BernsteinThe Ervin HearingsThe White House TapesThe Saturday Night MassacreNixon ResignsAnd much more!
So if you want a concise and informative book on the Watergate Scandal, simply scroll up and click the "Buy now" button for instant access!

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Politics, American History, Historical

115 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 17, 2023

About the author

At Hourly History, we focus on publishing history books that are concise, straightforward and take no longer than one hour to read.

Receive our new eBooks for free every Friday.
Sign up at: www.hourlyhistory.com/free

Reviews

[Gregory Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watergate: An Overview

This is a concise and focused overview of the Watergate scandal that abruptly ended the presidency of Richard Nixon. It's a nice introduction for anyone who is unfamiliar with the case and will hopefully get them to read those books mentioned in the bibliography at the end. It's a fascinating and sad story that still has a relevance today. Nixon was a man driven my his anger and paranoia and caused him to support the break in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters to bug phones in order to get information that might help him in the upcoming election. If failed and what happened would create a constitutional crisis, especially as he attempted to stop the investigation, going so far as to far the chief investigator Archibald Cox in what is now remembered as the "Saturday night massacre." It all backfired on Nixon and only made him look even more guilty. This little "book" touches on just the fundamentals of the story. I do wish it included photographs of some of individuals involved. It helps when you have a face to attach to the individuals being mentioned.

[April Prosser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating! I was a young person on the Watergate era and never learned all that is in this book. Only caveat: Nixon’s first term was not, as the book seems to ondicate, one triumph on the heels of another. There were a few who would beg to disagree with the idea that Nixon was Joe Pipular. We came sbout as close as we could to a second civil war right in front ofvthe White House after the Kent State massacre: Apart from that discrepancy, it was a great quick informative read. What a bunch of bozos those burglars were!

[Stacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute power corrupts absolutely

I was born in 71, so my knowledge of the event is very minimal. Short book but very informative. Believable theories of why Watergate happened but no real reasoning or the exact moment Nixon knew of the burglary. I see the Biden administration mirroring this event with Trump. The whole Watergate event was a total embarrassment to the Republican party, the presidency & congress. It overshadows the good things Nixon accomplished while in office.

[Neera Kapahi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The word “Watergate” brings up memories of political crime, scandal and betrayal. In 1972, some people broke into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate building. It was traced to Nixon’s reelection committee. The fact that Nixon’s administration tried to cover it up caused a scandal.

The book was a very informative and riveting read. The events took place a long time ago and rocked the nation. It is a reminder that no one is above the law.

[David Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

And all the Presidents men couldn’t put Nixon together again

It is really a fascinating respective considering current events of the four Trump criminal trials.
How different the country was then and the polarization now that makes everything disfuncional.
What will it taken to reunite our citizens against the coming disasters?

[Shanine Salmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief and interesting summary

As with all hourly history books this is a brief look at the Watergate scandal. These are great quick reads to either learn something new or refresh your memory

[Jill Derrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Interesting read.

This book was very informative in the Watergate situation. So much was hushed and it was good to read that the corruption was finally revealed as both parties were at fault.

[Joan Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had forgotten so much

I lived through this Era but was deeply involved in raising my children. Thus this book helped refresh my memory. Thanks!!

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short history of the Watergate break-in and cover-up does a good job of covering the high points of this rather complicated time in history.

[Elizabeth Reed Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love re-educating myself on the world's history. Hourly History helps out.

If you want further details about the Watergate Scandal this is for you.

[Wayne Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great job at summarising Watergate

For anyone wanting a brief but succinct snapshot of the key events and players in the Watergate story, this is great little book to read.

[Robin Dix · Rating 4 out of 5]

It barely touches the surface.

[Brian Pollard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

A brief but informative read that has once again for this series of books increased my knowledge of subjects. Thank you.

[Shari Culpepper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Watergate explained

Excellent read. Shows massive cover-up that led to demise of otherwise successful president. The scandal set the stage for future public mistrust of politicians.