Notes

The presidential scandal that led to the court case is known as “Watergate.” How did it get this name?
The scandal that led to the court case being called "Watergate" got its name from the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. It was the location of the Democratic National Committee headquarter where a break in happened in 1972.

What was the initial crime that led to the scandal?
The initial crime that led to the Watergate scandal was the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters, which took place on June 17, 1972.

What do you think motivated the crime?
him trying to win in an easy way. But it backfired. and also, politics.

Why did the Justice Department request the tape recordings from President Nixon?
they knew some people in office may have played a part in the scandal and They thought the tapes would show what the president and his aides knew about the crime.

Where did the tape recordings come from?
his office.

What was President Nixon’s response to the request for the tapes?
He refused to give them based on his claim he called executive privilege.

What do you think: Was President Nixon correct in his refusal to give the tapes to the Justice Department? Or was the special prosecutor correct in insisting that the president surrenders the tapes?
In my Opinion this case, the special prosecutor was correct in insisting that President Nixon surrender the tapes to the Justice Department. The tapes were crucial evidence that could shed light on the truth and potentially reveal any wrongdoing or involvement in the Watergate scandal.

What kind of situation was Berger referring to, and what was different about the kind of conversations that
President Nixon was trying to keep secret?
Berger was referring to situations where there might be a legitimate need for confidentiality, such as national security concerns or sensitive diplomatic negotiations. However, in the case of President Nixon, the conversations he was trying to keep secret were not related to national security or diplomatic matters. Instead, they were recordings of conversations that potentially contained evidence of criminal activity, specifically regarding the Watergate scandal. The Court recognized that the need for transparency and the pursuit of justice outweighed any claims of executive privilege in this particular situation.

President Nixon complied with the Court’s decision that required him to turn over the tapes.
What was the result for the president?
he lost much of his remaining support in congress.

Consider what might have happened if, despite the Supreme Court’s decision, President Nixon had
continued to invoke executive privilege and refused to provide the tapes. What effect could such a
decision have had upon the American system of government?
If President Nixon had continued to invoke executive privilege and refused to provide the tapes despite the Supreme Court's decision, it could have had a significant impact on the American system of government.,. This could have undermined the trust and credibility of the presidency and weakened the separation of powers that is essential for a functioning democracy. The Supreme Court's authority and ability to enforce its decisions would have been called into question, potentially setting a precedent for future presidents to disregard court rulings. Overall, such a decision could have eroded the foundations of the American system of government and the rule of law.