Watergate was one of the biggest ever political scandals
in United States. It included various illegal activities that helped President Richard
Nixon in presidential election of 1972. This scandal was particularly serious because it
represented attack on free and open elections, which is one of the main supporting
pillar of a democracy.
The illegal acts of Watergate
scandal involved burglary, telephone tapping, violations of campaign financing laws, use
of government agencies to harm political opponents. About 40 people were charged with
various crimes associated with this scandals, and most of these were convicted. It also
resulted in resignation of Nixon from presidency in
1974.
The scandal derived its name from the Watergate
complex of flats and office buildings in Washington,where police arrested five men for
breaking into the Democratic Party's national headquarters there. Later press found
evidence of White House aides helping to finance sabotage and spying operations against
candidates for the 1972 Democratic presidential
nomination.
Nixon claimed that he had no part in Watergate
break-in or covering it up. But the enquiry by a special prosecutor appointed for the
purpose, clearly established involvement of may people closely associated with Nixon. In
April 1974, Nixon was served with a subpoena (legal order) to furnish certain
information relating to this scandal. When Nixon disputed the right of the enquiry
proceeds to ask for such information the case was referred to Supreme Cour which ordered
Nixon to provide the materials.
In light of the Watergate
scandal experience, in 1974, Congress approved reforms in the financing of federal
election campaigns.
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