Alabama Social Studies SS24.US2.15b
The Standard
- SS24.US2.15
- Describe how significant domestic events during the presidencies of Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter shaped United States economics, politics, and society.
Outline the events that led to the Watergate scandal and brought about the resignation of President Richard Nixon and the presidency of Gerald Ford.
2024 Alabama Course of Study: Social Studies
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students put the Watergate break-in, cover-up, hearings, release of White House tapes, and Nixon’s resignation in order. They explain why Ford became president when Nixon resigned.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student can explain that evidence of the cover-up, especially the tapes, led to impeachment proceedings and Nixon’s resignation. They can identify Ford as the vice president who took office next.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think Nixon personally carried out the break-in or that the break-in alone forced him from office. Some think Nixon was impeached, or that Ford won the 1972 presidential election.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: In four numbered steps, connect the break-in, cover-up, released tapes, and resignation. Then explain why Ford took office.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs event cards for the break-in, hearings, tape release, resignation, and Ford’s swearing-in; have them build an annotated timeline.
Ask, “Why did the tapes change Nixon’s position?” Have students support an answer with one line from a short transcript excerpt.
Play a cause-and-effect matching game with cards showing the cover-up, tape subpoena, court ruling, impeachment proceedings, and resignation.
Use a presidential succession chart to find why Ford became president without winning a presidential election.
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Describe how significant domestic events during the presidencies of Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter shaped United States economics, politics, and society.
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