What were the Key Features of the Watergate Scandal?

One of the main negative effects was the decline of public confidence in the American Government. This was seen in the next Presidential Election when an unknown politician by the name of Jimmy Carter won the election for the Democratic Party. The overall image of the USA was also changed and they were no longer seen as the superpower. This was because they used to be seen as the leaders of the Free World but the scandal showed the American President to be corrupt and a bit like a dictator, the way he manipulated the FBI and CIA. A large number of the American Government were also shown to be corrupt when 31 of Nixon’s advisors were sacked.

The Watergate Scandal didn’t just have negative effects; there were some positive ones too. Firstly Congress realised that the President had too much power and tried to limit it by passing the following acts:

• The War Powers Act, 1973, required the President to consult Congress before sending American troops into prolonged action.
• The Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act, 1974. This was meant that the President could not use government money for his own purposes.
• The Election Campaign Act of 1972 was strengthened in 1974, setting limits on campaign contributions to prevent corruption.
• The Freedom of Information Act was extended by passing the Private Act, which allowed citizens to have access to any files that the government may have gathered on them.

All of the acts passed were related to President Nixon and the Scandal in some way. The Scandal also proved that Democracy does work as the cover-up fails and President Nixon is forced to resign. But the fact that he is given a full pardon but some of his advisors are put in prison shows that even in a Democracy things are not always fair.

In Conclusion I think that the Watergate Scandal had more negative effects than positive ones. I think this because the impact the Scandal had, was a long term one and it was spread all over the world. After the Scandal America didn’t seem to have the Free World image it had before.  The Scandal also seemed to coincide with the decline of America in 1970s. Due to the media and the large part it played in uncovering the scandal gave the whole world a chance to hear about Nixon’s involvement but the full truth was never revealed. This may have been so America would be able to salvage some of its pride.