While the Watergate Scandal was shocking, it didn't come from nothing. It's helpful for students to understand the background of the scandal and how it ended in the resignation of President Nixon. To do this, they can create a timeline that highlights major events, stemming from the break-in of the Democratic National Convention headquarters, to Nixon’s eventual resignation as president. By putting it all into a visual timeline, students will have a better understanding of how it fits in with the greater timeline of Nixon's political career and be able to easily understand the sequence of events.
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options, and update the instructions accordingly.
Extended Activity
Have students create a timeline of Nixon as an ex-president, beginning with his resignation. Students should highlight the major events of how Nixon responded to and dealt with the scandal and also give insight to how he lived the remainder of his life until his death in 1994. Suggested major events should include his Frost interview, as well as his continued public service. In addition to this, students should highlight how the public viewed him, and how his role as president was interpreted post-Watergate.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline detailing the events that were a part of and led up to the Watergate Scandal and Nixon's resignation.
Integrate primary source materials such as newspaper headlines, photographs, or official transcripts into timeline activities. Adding these authentic resources sparks student curiosity and brings historical events to life.
Encourage students to discuss whose viewpoints are represented in each source. This builds critical thinking and helps students understand bias and context in historical reporting.
Divide students into groups and assign them roles such as researcher, designer, or presenter. Working together makes the timeline process interactive and builds teamwork skills.
Arrange a gallery walk where students present their timelines to peers. This encourages discussion, allows for peer feedback, and deepens understanding of the Watergate events.
Lead a class reflection on how using primary sources and analyzing perspectives changed their view of the Watergate Scandal. This step reinforces historical empathy and insight.
Key events in the Watergate Scandal timeline include the break-in at the Democratic National Convention headquarters in 1972, the cover-up efforts by President Nixon's administration, the televised Senate hearings, the release of the White House tapes, and ultimately, Nixon's resignation in 1974.
Students can create a Watergate Scandal timeline by identifying major events, summarizing each event, and illustrating them visually. They can use a digital tool, poster, or presentation format for clarity and engagement.
A complete timeline should cover Nixon’s political rise, the Watergate break-in, his resignation, major post-presidency events like the Frost interview, his public service, and public perceptions up to his death in 1994.
Creating a timeline helps students visualize the sequence of events, see cause and effect, and better understand how the Watergate Scandal unfolded and impacted Nixon’s presidency.
Creative presentation ideas include making a timeline poster, using digital timeline tools, incorporating illustrations, or organizing a gallery walk where students display and discuss their timelines.