Activity Overview
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.
Template and Class Instructions
(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.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify important events and type them into the titles of each cell.
- Write a summary of each in the description box.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events and Dates | The events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. The dates provided are correct. | Most of the events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. Most of the dates provided are correct. | Some of the events chosen for the timeline are significant. There may be missing events, or events that are irrelevant. Too many dates may be incorrect. |
| Explanations/Descriptions | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are accurate and provide insight into the significance of the events. | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are mostly accurate and attempt to provide insight into the significance of the events. | There are several glaring inaccuracies in the explanations or descriptions of the events. There may be little or no insight int the significance of the events, or the information provided may be too limited or missing. |
| English Conventions | There are 0-2 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 3-4 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 5 or more mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. |
Activity Overview
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.
Template and Class Instructions
(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.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify important events and type them into the titles of each cell.
- Write a summary of each in the description box.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events and Dates | The events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. The dates provided are correct. | Most of the events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. Most of the dates provided are correct. | Some of the events chosen for the timeline are significant. There may be missing events, or events that are irrelevant. Too many dates may be incorrect. |
| Explanations/Descriptions | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are accurate and provide insight into the significance of the events. | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are mostly accurate and attempt to provide insight into the significance of the events. | There are several glaring inaccuracies in the explanations or descriptions of the events. There may be little or no insight int the significance of the events, or the information provided may be too limited or missing. |
| English Conventions | There are 0-2 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 3-4 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 5 or more mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. |
How Tos about Watergate Scandal Timeline
Make Watergate Timelines More Engaging with Primary Sources
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.
Guide Students to Analyze Source Perspectives
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.
Assign Roles for Collaborative Timeline Creation
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.
Facilitate a Timeline Gallery Walk
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.
Reflect on the Impact of Multiple Perspectives
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.
Frequently Asked Questions about Watergate Scandal Timeline
What are the key events in the Watergate Scandal timeline?
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.
How can students create a Watergate Scandal timeline for class?
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.
What should be included in a timeline of Richard Nixon’s presidency and post-presidency?
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.
Why is making a timeline useful for understanding the Watergate Scandal?
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.
What are some creative ways to present a Watergate timeline in the classroom?
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.
More Storyboard That Activities
Presidency of Richard Nixon
- Photograph of Speaker of the House of Representatives Carl Albert, President Richard Nixon, and Chief Justice Warren E. Burger, Prior to Delivery of July 4 Speeches Opening the Bicentennial Commemorations in the National Archives, 1971 • The U.S. National Archives • License No known copyright restrictions (http://flickr.com/commons/usage/)
- President Nixon with Dr. James Fletcher and Apollo 16 Astronauts • NASA on The Commons • License No known copyright restrictions (http://flickr.com/commons/usage/)
- Richard Nixon • tonynetone • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
- Supporters of Richard Nixon at the 1968 Republican National Convention: Miami Beach, Florida • State Library and Archives of Florida • License No known copyright restrictions (http://flickr.com/commons/usage/)
- Supreme Court of the United States • USCapitol • License United States Government Work (http://www.usa.gov/copyright.shtml)
- Turkey presentation for Thanksgiving, 11/18/1969 • The U.S. National Archives • License No known copyright restrictions (http://flickr.com/commons/usage/)
- Watergate • brownpau • License Attribution (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
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