What happened at the Watergate that caused President Nixon to get into so much trouble?

Answer 1

A group of men broke in to the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee, located in the Watergate Complex in Washington, D.C. The scandal that brought Nixon down was the elaborate cover-up that he was actively involved in.

If Nixon had done like Reagan and fessed up rather than cover-up, he probably would have been able to complete his term in office. He misused his office by bribing, blackmailing, and generally obfuscating those who were trying to get to the bottom of the mess, including Congress, mainly to protect his own political interests.

It was a particularly shameful situation partly because everyone knew that Nixon was going to cream McGovern on the way to re-election--even five months before the general election. (And, he did cream McGovern even as the leading edge of the scandal was beginning to be made public.)

Volumes could be, and probably have been, written about the scope of this situation.

Answer 2

A number of people, nicknamed the "plumbers" broke into the Watergate Hotel, where the Democratic National Convention was being held.

It came out that President Nixon had authorized it and tried to hide his involvement.

Answer 3

Nixon authorized illegal activities, then he abused his powers of office to try and prevent the investigation from moving forward.

Sure, it seems like no big deal compared to the current administration, but that's more a reflection of how brazen the current scumbags are, and how much the right-wing smear machine has the press cowed.

Answer 4

He authorized the bugging, but rather than admit it and ask for forgiveness he lied to Congress and the American people.

Answer 5

the cover up

Answer 6

the cover up.
He should have just admitted it.