Watergate and Political Scandals Quiz

Grade 11 · Social Studies · Quiz

Test your knowledge of the Watergate scandal, its key figures, constitutional consequences, and broader impact on American government.

Questions

In United States v. Nixon (1974), the Supreme Court ruled that:
1. Nixon could not be prosecuted while serving as president
2. Executive privilege is absolute and Nixon need not hand over the tapes
3. Executive privilege is limited and Nixon must comply with the subpoena for the White House tapes
4. Congress had exceeded its authority in requesting the tapes
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Answer: Executive privilege is limited and Nixon must comply with the subpoena for the White House tapes
The Supreme Court ruled 8-0 that while executive privilege exists, it is not absolute and must yield to the specific need for evidence in a criminal trial.
Who succeeded Richard Nixon as president after his resignation?
1. Spiro Agnew
2. Nelson Rockefeller
3. Gerald Ford
4. Ronald Reagan
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Answer: Gerald Ford
Gerald Ford, who had been appointed vice president after Spiro Agnew's resignation, became the 38th president on August 9, 1974.
The 'smoking gun' tape proved Nixon's direct involvement in Watergate because it showed him:
1. Ordering the original break-in at the Watergate complex
2. Directing the CIA to obstruct the FBI's Watergate investigation shortly after the break-in
3. Paying hush money directly to the convicted burglars
4. Personally destroying subpoenaed documents
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Answer: Directing the CIA to obstruct the FBI's Watergate investigation shortly after the break-in
The June 23, 1972 tape revealed Nixon instructing Chief of Staff Haldeman to have the CIA tell the FBI to back off the Watergate investigation, proving obstruction of justice.
The War Powers Resolution of 1973, passed during the Watergate era, was designed to:
1. Prevent future political break-ins by limiting campaign activities
2. Limit the president's ability to commit U.S. forces to armed conflict without congressional approval
3. Require the president to release all classified documents to Congress
4. Create an independent special prosecutor's office
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Answer: Limit the president's ability to commit U.S. forces to armed conflict without congressional approval
The War Powers Resolution requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing troops and limits unauthorized deployments to 60 days.
Which of Nixon's aides was the first senior White House official convicted in connection with Watergate?
1. John Dean
2. H.R. Haldeman
3. John Mitchell
4. G. Gordon Liddy
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Answer: John Mitchell
Attorney General John Mitchell, who headed CREEP, was convicted of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and perjury and sentenced to prison.
The term 'plumbers' in the context of Watergate referred to:
1. The five men arrested for the Watergate break-in
2. A secret White House unit created to stop leaks of classified information
3. FBI agents who investigated the scandal
4. Senate investigators on the Ervin Committee
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Answer: A secret White House unit created to stop leaks of classified information
The 'plumbers' were a secret White House special investigations unit created in 1971 to plug leaks, most notably after the Pentagon Papers were published.
Spiro Agnew was still serving as Vice President when Nixon resigned in August 1974.
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Answer: False
Spiro Agnew resigned as vice president in October 1973 after pleading no contest to tax evasion charges. Gerald Ford was then appointed vice president under the 25th Amendment.
The Senate select committee that investigated Watergate was chaired by Senator Sam _______ of North Carolina.
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Answer: ervin
Senator Sam Ervin of North Carolina chaired the Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, which held nationally televised hearings in 1973.

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