The Watergate scandal was a major political scandal in the United States involving the administration of President Richard Nixon from 1972 to 1974. The scandal resulted from the break-in of the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C. in 1972 and the Nixon administration’s attempted cover-up of its involvement. Here are 41 riddles about key events, people, and details related to the Watergate scandal and its aftermath.
The Break-In
On June 17, 1972, five men were arrested for breaking into the DNC headquarters at the Watergate. But who were they and what were they looking for?
Riddle: I entered with duct tape, cameras, and latex gloves. My goal was spying, but I got locked up instead. Who am I?
Answer: The Watergate burglars
Riddle: We planned the break-in to bug the DNC and get intel. Our crew got caught red-handed thanks to a security guard. Who are we?
Answer: The Watergate burglars
Riddle: Nixon was paranoid I had dirt on him. Little did he know, his own men would find nothing in my files. Who am I?
Answer: DNC Chairman Lawrence O’Brien
Riddle: Nixon hoped I’d provide the key to unlock his election success. But his Plumbers found nothing useful in the end. What am I?
Answer: The DNC’s files
The Cover-Up
After the break-in, Nixon and his top aides attempted to cover up the administration’s connection to the burglary. This started the chain of events that would become the Watergate scandal.
Riddle: Nixon used me to block investigations and contain the damage. But I could not cover up the truth forever. Who am I?
Answer: The White House
Riddle: As Nixon’s top advisor, I planned the cover-up from the start. My conversations were caught on tape, sealing my fate. Who am I?
Answer: John Ehrlichman
Riddle: I was the Attorney General who Nixon ordered to fire the special prosecutor. When I refused, I became known as a hero. Who am I?
Answer: Elliot Richardson
Riddle: As White House Counsel, I helped with the cover-up. My testimony and Nixon tapes exposed the truth to all. Who am I?
Answer: John Dean
The Senate Hearings
In 1973, the Senate formed a special committee to investigate the Watergate scandal, holding public hearings that were broadcast on national television.
Riddle: With my gavel in hand, I presided over the famous Senate hearings. My calm demeanor was praised by many viewers. Who am I?
Answer: Senator Sam Ervin
Riddle: I gained fame as the top Republican on the Senate committee investigating Watergate. My sharp questions aimed to defend Nixon. Who am I?
Answer: Senator Howard Baker
Riddle: “What did the President know, and when did he know it?” This famous question came from my lips. Who am I?
Answer: Senator Howard Baker
Riddle: I testified before the Senate, claiming Nixon knew nothing of Watergate. Later it was revealed I lied to protect the President. Who am I?
Answer: John Dean
Deep Throat
W. Mark Felt, the Associate Director of the FBI, provided key details about Watergate to Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein as their secret source “Deep Throat.”
Riddle: I met with reporters in parking garages to leak secrets from the FBI. My identity stayed hidden for 30 years. Who am I?
Answer: Deep Throat (Mark Felt)
Riddle: We investigated Watergate with help from our secret source. His tips exposed the White House cover-up. Who are we?
Answer: Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein
Riddle: I was second in command at the FBI during Watergate. Decades later, I revealed myself as Deep Throat. Who am I?
Answer: Mark Felt
Riddle: My underground garage was the scene of secret meetings between reporter and source. Many came to see this location after Deep Throat’s identity was revealed in 2005. Where am I?
Answer: The Watergate Office Complex parking garage
The Nixon Tapes
Nixon secretly recorded conversations in the Oval Office, and these tapes provided evidence of his involvement in the Watergate cover-up.
Riddle: We captured Nixon conspiring to obstruct justice. Our content sealed his political fate when revealed. What are we?
Answer: The Nixon tapes
Riddle: I was Nixon’s personal secretary who accidentally revealed the existence of his secret White House tapes. Who am I?
Answer: Rose Mary Woods
Riddle: Nixon fired me in 1973 after I refused to hand over the secret tapes. As special prosecutor, I helped expose his crimes. Who am I?
Answer: Archibald Cox
Riddle: On one tape, Nixon and Haldeman plot to make the CIA block the FBI’s Watergate investigation. What incriminating phrase did Nixon use?
Answer: “The smoking gun”
The Saturday Night Massacre
In 1973, Nixon ordered his Attorney General to fire special prosecutor Archibald Cox, leading to resignations in protest in what became known as the Saturday Night Massacre.
Riddle: Nixon forced me out when I subpoenaed his tapes. The ensuing resignations became known as the Saturday Night Massacre. Who am I?
Answer: Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox
Riddle: I refused to fire the special prosecutor and resigned in protest, in what was called the Saturday Night Massacre. Who am I?
Answer: Attorney General Elliot Richardson
Riddle: Archibald Cox, Elliot Richardson, myself – we all got dismissed or quit on one infamous Saturday night. What is this 1973 event known as?
Answer: The Saturday Night Massacre
Riddle: Nixon ordered me to axe the special prosecutor, but I refused and stepped down. My conscience could not obey his unjust demand. Who am I?
Answer: Attorney General Elliot Richardson
The Pardon
A month after Nixon resigned, his successor President Gerald Ford granted him a full pardon for any crimes he committed while in office.
Riddle: When Nixon quit, I pardoned him though he hadn’t faced any charges yet. Many looked down on me for this controversial act. Who am I?
Answer: President Gerald Ford
Riddle: My unconditional pardon of Nixon just one month after he resigned angered many Americans. It may have cost me re-election in 1976. What was my name?
Answer: Gerald Ford
Riddle: Nixon broke the law, but one month after resigning, he got excused. Ford’s pardon meant he never saw a courtroom accused. What did he get?
Answer: A presidential pardon
Riddle: By pardoning Nixon, Ford aimed to end national divisions. But the hastily-issued pardon caused a public outcry instead. What action of Ford’s backfired?
Answer: Issuing a pardon to Nixon
Key Players
Many other major figures played important roles related to Watergate.
Riddle: I exposed Nixon’s abuses of power through my Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage with Carl Bernstein. Who am I?
Answer: Bob Woodward
Riddle: I was Nixon’s Chief of Staff and served prison time for my role in the Watergate cover-up. Who am I?
Answer: H.R. Haldeman
Riddle: Known as Nixon’s “hatchet man,” I aided the cover-up despite my misgivings. Who am I?
Answer: John Ehrlichman
Riddle: I testified before Congress about Nixon’s crimes. As White House Counsel, I knew the cover-up first-hand. Who am I?
Answer: John Dean
Riddle: I headed the Watergate investigation as a special prosecutor and exposed abuses of presidential power. Who am I?
Answer: Archibald Cox
Aftermath and Legacy
The Watergate scandal had profound political and cultural effects that reshaped American politics.
Riddle: The Watergate scandal made Americans more skeptical of government and public officials. What word describes this skepticism and mistrust?
Answer: Cynicism
Riddle: Watergate led to reforms aimed at increasing ethics and transparency in government. Support for these reforms was bipartisan. What were the reforms?
Answer: Campaign finance reform, Freedom of Information Act, independent counsel law
Riddle: The Watergate Babies were reform-minded Democrats elected after Nixon’s resignation. My name refers to these politicians who entered Congress in 1974. What is it?
Answer: Class of 1974
Riddle: The Watergate scandal cast a long shadow, making later leaders more careful and sparking mistrust when controversies arise. How did it impact political culture?
Answer: It increased cynicism and skepticism about government
Conclusion
The Watergate scandal was one of the biggest political dramas in modern US history. Its lessons about abuse of power, obstruction of justice, misconduct by public officials and the critical role of investigation and transparency in government continue to resonate today. These riddles covered key events, figures, impacts and details that defined the Watergate era – an important chapter in the story of American democracy.
