Consequences of Muckraking in American History

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Questions and Answers

What significant action did Nixon take on July 18, 1973?

  • He publicly claimed he was innocent of any wrongdoing.
  • He released the transcripts of his recorded conversations.
  • He ordered the White House taping system disconnected. (correct)
  • He resigned from the presidency.

What was the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling on July 24, 1974?

  • It upheld Nixon's claim of executive privilege.
  • It dismissed all charges against Nixon.
  • It mandated Nixon to turn over White House tape recordings. (correct)
  • It required Nixon to provide additional edited transcripts.

What major event occurred during the Saturday Night Massacre?

  • Nixon ordered the taping system be reconnected.
  • Nixon announced his intent to resign.
  • Nixon fired Archibald Cox and abolished the office of the special prosecutor. (correct)
  • Chief of staff Haig revealed erased tapes.

How did Nixon respond to the mounting pressure for impeachment on November 17, 1973?

<p>He declared, 'I’m not a crook.' (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What critical gap was discovered in one of the Nixon tapes on December 7, 1973?

<p>There was an 18 1/2-minute gap. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What major legislation was influenced by muckraking exposés about corporate monopolies?

<p>Sherman Anti-Trust Act (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which reform was established due to muckraking efforts in the early 1900s?

<p>Workman’s compensation laws (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which journalist investigated the My Lai Massacre in 1969?

<p>Seymour Hersh (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a consequence of muckraking during wartime?

<p>Increase in government transparency (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of journalistic norms became primary from 1917 to 1970?

<p>Objectivity and deference to authority (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What major exposé was published in Rachel Carson's 'Silent Spring'?

<p>Dangers of pesticides (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one reason for the decline of investigative reporting between 1960 and 1970?

<p>Popular support for President Johnson (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which investigative report examined civil liberties violations by the FBI?

<p>Report on Milledgeville State Hospital (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant event led to Neil Sheenan questioning American foreign policy?

<p>The publication of the Pentagon Papers (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which prize did Neil Sheenan and The New York Times win for their efforts related to the Pentagon Papers?

<p>Pulitzer Prize (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the White House's response to the publication of the Pentagon Papers?

<p>They sought legal action to stop the publication. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What scandal involved the burglary of the Democratic National Committee headquarters?

<p>Watergate Scandal (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which journalists were instrumental in uncovering the Watergate Scandal?

<p>Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What training had Richard Nixon undergone before reclaiming the presidency?

<p>He was Vice President under Eisenhower. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the White House 'plumbers' unit?

<p>To stop leaks in the administration. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main outcome of the Supreme Court's ruling regarding the Pentagon Papers?

<p>It allowed the publication to continue. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of the Watergate break-in?

<p>To bug the offices of the Democratic National Committee (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who denied any connection to the Watergate operation in June 1972?

<p>John Mitchell (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What significant event occurred on November 11, 1972?

<p>Nixon was re-elected (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following individuals was convicted in relation to the Watergate incident in January 1973?

<p>James W. McCord Jr. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the FBI establish about the Watergate break-in in October 1972?

<p>It was part of a political spying campaign for Nixon's re-election (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did John Dean reveal during the Watergate investigation in June 1973?

<p>He had spoken to Nixon about the cover-up at least 35 times (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the Senate Watergate committee do on May 18, 1973?

<p>Held nationally televised hearings (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was appointed as the special prosecutor for Watergate by Attorney General-designate Elliot Richardson?

<p>Archibald Cox (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<h1>=</h1> <h1>=</h1> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Muckraking

A period of investigative journalism in the early 20th century, characterized by exposing corruption and social injustices.

How did muckraking impact the enforcement of the Sherman Antitrust Act?

The Sherman Antitrust Act is a United States federal law that prohibits monopolies and cartels.

What impact did muckraking have on labor laws?

Workman's compensation laws provide financial assistance to employees injured on the job.

How did muckraking influence social welfare programs?

Mother's pension laws provided financial aid to single mothers, helping them support their children.

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Wartime Patriotism

A period of heightened patriotism and support for government, often associated with times of war.

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Objective Journalism in Wartime

Journalism that prioritizes objectivity and deference to authority, a common trend during the 20th-century wars.

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My Lai Massacre

The My Lai Massacre was a horrific incident where American soldiers killed unarmed Vietnamese civilians.

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Rebirth of Investigative Reporting

Investigative journalism involves in-depth reporting to uncover hidden truths or wrongdoing.

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Nixon's Taping System Revealed

The White House taping system, which secretly recorded all conversations and phone calls in Nixon's offices, was discovered during this event. The discovery was made by Alexander Butterfield, former presidential appointments secretary, during his congressional testimony.

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Nixon's Refusal to Release Tapes

Nixon refused to comply with requests to turn over the Presidential tape recordings to the Senate Watergate committee and the Special Prosecutor. This refusal fueled public distrust and strengthened calls for Nixon's accountability.

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Saturday Night Massacre

This event involved the firing of the special prosecutor (Archibald Cox) by Nixon after his refusal to release the tapes. The Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General resigned in protest. The 'Massacre' fuelled the impeachment charge against Nixon.

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Supreme Court Ruling on Tapes

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Nixon must release the recordings related to 64 White House conversations, rejecting the President's claims of executive privilege. This decision pushed Nixon closer to resignation.

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Nixon's Impeachment (First Article)

The House Judiciary Committee passed the first of three articles of impeachment against Nixon, charging him with obstruction of justice related to the Watergate scandal. This event placed Nixon in a perilous position and ultimately led to his resignation.

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What was the Watergate scandal?

The Watergate scandal was a major political scandal in the United States that began in 1972 when five men were arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate Office Building in Washington, D.C. The scandal eventually led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974.

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What was the purpose of the Watergate break-in?

The break-in was part of a larger effort to sabotage the Democratic National Committee and help the reelection of President Nixon.

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What was the Senate Watergate Committee?

The Watergate scandal led to the creation of the Senate Watergate Committee, which was tasked with investigating the break-in and any potential wrongdoing by the Nixon administration. The committee held public hearings that were televised nationwide.

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Who was John Dean?

John Dean was a White House counsel who testified that President Nixon was involved in the cover-up of the Watergate break-in.

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What was the ultimate outcome of the Watergate scandal?

The Watergate scandal led to the resignation of President Nixon in 1974.

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Why did Nixon resign?

Nixon's involvement in the cover-up of the Watergate break-in ultimately led to his resignation. He was facing impeachment by the House of Representatives and possible conviction by the Senate.

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What was the significance of the Watergate scandal?

The Watergate scandal highlighted the importance of checks and balances in the government.

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What was the long-term impact of the Watergate scandal?

The Watergate scandal profoundly impacted the public's trust in government and the media. It also led to changes in the way campaigns are financed and the media covers politics.

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What were the Pentagon Papers?

The Pentagon Papers were a series of classified documents detailing the history of the Vietnam War, revealing that top government officials had lied to the American public about the war's reasons. They were leaked to the New York Times by Daniel Ellsberg, and the publication of the papers led to public outrage and increased scrutiny of the government's actions.

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What was the impact of publishing the Pentagon Papers?

In 1970, the New York Times published a series of articles based on the Pentagon Papers, which exposed the truth about the Vietnam War and the government's deception, leading to public outrage and questioning of American foreign policy.

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Who were the "plumbers" unit?

The "plumbers" unit, a group of White House operatives, was created to stop leaks of classified information. They were involved in the Watergate break-in, which was part of Nixon's efforts to suppress political opponents.

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How did the Washington Post contribute to uncovering Watergate?

The Washington Post played a crucial role in uncovering the Watergate scandal, with reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein diligently investigating and publishing their findings. Their reporting exposed the truth about the break-in and the cover-up, leading to Nixon's downfall.

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What were the societal effects of the Watergate scandal?

Public outrage over the Vietnam War and the revelations of the Pentagon Papers fueled the Watergate scandal. The public lost trust in the government and demanded accountability. The scandal further eroded public confidence in the Nixon administration.

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Who was Richard Nixon and when was he elected President?

Richard Nixon, the 55-year-old former vice president, was elected President of the United States in 1968, narrowly defeating Hubert Humphrey. This victory marked Nixon's return to power, as he had previously lost the presidency in 1960.

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Study Notes

Consequences of Muckraking

  • Investigative journalism exposed corporate monopolies, leading to the enforcement of the Sherman Anti-trust Act.
  • The distribution of wealth was revealed, prompting a constitutional amendment to create federal income taxes in 1909.
  • Workman's compensation laws were enacted by 1915.
  • Mother's pension laws were established between 1908 and 1913.
  • Direct election of U.S. Senators and changes in state laws were also facilitated by muckraking.
  • Muckraking crusades directly influenced the implementation of crucial reforms.

Wartime Muckraking

  • WWI, WWII, and the Cold War fostered patriotism and public support for government.
  • From 1917 to 1970, media competition stabilized, prioritizing objectivity and deference to authority in journalism.
  • Notable wartime muckraking events included the Teapot Dome scandal (1922), exposés on race relations and farm labor (1930s-1940s), examinations of Senator Joseph McCarthy's activities (1954), the misconduct of Eisenhower aide Sherman Adams (1958), investigations into the plight of migrant workers (1950s), government corruption in Georgia, violations of civil liberties, and conditions at the Milledgeville State Hospital (by Los Angeles Times Washington correspondent Jack Nelson), and an exposé about the dangers of pesticides (Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson).

Between 1960 and 1970

  • Investigative reporting declined due to the popularity of President Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson's victory in 1964, strengthening political legitimacy and the economic prosperity of the era.
  • A decline in newspapers and a shift in broadcast media's emphasis on news coverage also contributed to a decrease in investigative reporting during this period.

Rebirth of Investigative Reporting

  • In 1969, Seymour Hersh, an anti-Vietnam War activist, investigated Lieutenant William L. Calley, Jr., and exposed the deliberate murder of at least 109 Vietnamese civilians in the My Lai hamlet. He won a Pulitzer Prize in 1970 for his work.

The Pentagon Papers

  • In March 1971, Neil Sheehan (reporter, NYT) uncovered leaked government documents about the Vietnam War, revealing that top government officials had repeatedly misled the public.
  • The Nixon administration attempted to suppress publication, but the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the newspaper.
  • Sheehan's work and the Pentagon Papers led to the award of the Pulitzer Prize to both Sheehan and the newspaper.

The Watergate Scandal (1972)

  • The public outrage over the Vietnam War and the exposure of the Pentagon Papers led to increased attention on the Watergate scandal.
  • Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein of The Washington Post played a leading role in uncovering the Watergate scandal.
  • The scandal focused on the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate Hotel and the subsequent cover-up efforts by high-ranking officials within the Nixon administration.
  • The scandal involved the FBI, CIA, Department of Justice, White House and the US. Administration.

Watergate - Brief Timeline of Events (1968-1974)

  • Key events related to the Watergate scandal are listed, offering a chronological overview of the investigation and subsequent fallout.
  • The timeline includes details on Nixon's re-election, domestic intelligence-gathering plans, the Pentagon Papers' publication, the Watergate break-in, political spying, and Nixon's reelection victory.
  • Important dates and figures from the Watergate investigation are provided for further study, including arrests, resignations, and the Supreme Court's ruling.
  • The timeline highlights Nixon's eventual resignation and pardoning by Vice President Gerald Ford.

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