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The Aftermath of Watergate

  • In November 1976, Jimmy Carter defeats Ford to become the 39th president. Read Carter’s Inaugural Address.
  • Some commentators attribute the increased level of cynicism about politics to the Watergate affair.
  • The media becomes more confident and aggressive. Watergate was unravelled by the Washington Post reporters, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein. Their work led to the development of teams of "investigative" reporters on newspapers around the world. "Deep Throat" became an everyday term, referring to the anonymous official who leaked information to Woodward and Bernstein.
  • A new wave of Democratic congressmen is elected in 1976 and there are dramatic changes in the composition of committee chairmanships.
  • Many of Nixon’s subordinates are jailed, some discover religion, and others write books.
  • Political scandals are termed “–gate”.
  • Nixon sets about rehabilitating his reputation, writing books and travelling the world. He dies on April 22nd 1994 at the age of 81.
  • In 1991, Len Colodny and Robert Gettlin produce a book called “Silent Coup – The Removal of a President“.
  • In 1995, Oliver Stone produces a film called “Nixon”, starring Anthony Hopkins as Nixon. The film is condemned by the Nixon family.
  • Former Vice-President Spiro Agnew dies on September 17, 1996, in Berlin, Maryland, aged 77.
  • More of the White House tapes were released in 1996 and 1997. Read a backgrounder about these tapes and a discussion from The News Hour with Jim Lehrer. The Washington Post also discusses the tapes.
  • John Ehrlichman, Nixon’s Domestic Policy Adviser, dies on February 14, 1999, aged 73.
  • Elliot Richardson, Nixon’s Attorney-General, who defied Nixon’s instruction to dismiss Arcibald Cox, dies on December 31, 1999, aged 79.
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Malcolm Farnsworth
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