Watergate effects at home and abroad
The Watergate scandal not only had a profound impact on America, but also the world. Due to this scandal, the republican party suffered and moved to the right on the political scale. Congress tried to limit presidential power in an effort to ensure a similar scandal never occurs again. Further, the American people also grew weary of big government. Further, as a result of Watergate, the presidential office was weakened, allowing Soviets to expand. In addition, Watergate also led to the North Vietnamese regaining territory because the president was too busy with Watergate. Not only did this scandal effect the world, but it also hit the home land hard. (70)
The Republican party was severely damaged; the American people lost all trust for Republicans. The Democrats gained 49 seats in the House and five in the Senate. (71) The scandal helped wipe out a generation of Republican politicians. Leading to a democratic majority, which advocated less government, lower taxes, and more libertarian views. Another element that came out of Watergate was congresses attempt to limit the campaign funding of presidents. Congress attempted to make the government more transparent with new laws and amending the Freedom of Information Act. Additionally, they passed the War Powers Act in 1973 to limit the president’s ability to wage war. (72) Despite many refroms and changes, Watergate hurt the public's opinion on the government. The people of America shifted from believing the government could them, to thinking the government was nothing but corrupt. Since the Republican party was left in ruins after Watergate, Jimmy Carter, the Democratic incumbent easily one the election. Carter is argueably the worst President America has ever had. Carter was basically Nixon's opposite. He lacked many of Nixon's ideals and this led to the economy completely collapsing. Also, the Soviets did not respect Carter and pushed him around. Watergate not had profound impacts on America and other countries. (73)
The Republican party was severely damaged; the American people lost all trust for Republicans. The Democrats gained 49 seats in the House and five in the Senate. (71) The scandal helped wipe out a generation of Republican politicians. Leading to a democratic majority, which advocated less government, lower taxes, and more libertarian views. Another element that came out of Watergate was congresses attempt to limit the campaign funding of presidents. Congress attempted to make the government more transparent with new laws and amending the Freedom of Information Act. Additionally, they passed the War Powers Act in 1973 to limit the president’s ability to wage war. (72) Despite many refroms and changes, Watergate hurt the public's opinion on the government. The people of America shifted from believing the government could them, to thinking the government was nothing but corrupt. Since the Republican party was left in ruins after Watergate, Jimmy Carter, the Democratic incumbent easily one the election. Carter is argueably the worst President America has ever had. Carter was basically Nixon's opposite. He lacked many of Nixon's ideals and this led to the economy completely collapsing. Also, the Soviets did not respect Carter and pushed him around. Watergate not had profound impacts on America and other countries. (73)
China and Vietnam were both affected by the Watergate Scandal.