Watergate Scandal! Trivia Questions Quiz
Are you familiar with the Watergate scandal? It was a prominent political scandal during the time in which Richard Nixon was president. It took place from 1972 to 1974. The scandal came from the Nixon administration’s perpetual attempts to cover up its involvement in a 1972 incident of the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington DC. See how much you know about Watergate and put your knowledge to the test.
- 1.
On January 8th, the trials for seven defendants were presided over by which judge?
- A.
Judge Judy
- B.
John Sirica
- C.
Francis Biddle
Correct Answer
B. John SiricaExplanation
John Sirica is the correct answer because he presided over the trials of the seven defendants on January 8th.Rate this question:
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- 2.
On January 11th one of the defendants pleads guilty.
- A.
E. Howard Hunt
- B.
Mames W. McCord Jr.
- C.
Gordon Liddy
Correct Answer
A. E. Howard HuntExplanation
On January 11th, one of the defendants, E. Howard Hunt, pleaded guilty. This suggests that E. Howard Hunt admitted his involvement in the case or accepted responsibility for his actions.Rate this question:
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- 3.
On April 6th, this White House Counsel begins cooperating with the Watergate prosecutors.
- A.
John Mitchell
- B.
H.R.Haldeman
- C.
John Dean
Correct Answer
C. John DeanExplanation
John Dean is the correct answer because he was the White House Counsel who began cooperating with the Watergate prosecutors on April 6th. During the Watergate scandal, Dean played a crucial role in revealing the extent of the wrongdoing within the Nixon administration. His cooperation and testimony helped to expose the cover-up and ultimately led to the resignation of President Nixon.Rate this question:
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- 4.
On May 18th this man was announced to be the Justice Dept. Special Prosecutor for the trials. He is sworn in on May 25th.
- A.
Elliot Richardson
- B.
Archibald Cox
- C.
Alexander Butterfield
Correct Answer
B. Archibald CoxExplanation
Archibald Cox was announced to be the Justice Dept. Special Prosecutor for the trials on May 18th and was subsequently sworn in on May 25th. This indicates that he was chosen for the role and officially began his duties as the Special Prosecutor. Elliot Richardson and Alexander Butterfield are not mentioned in relation to being appointed or sworn in for this position, making Archibald Cox the correct answer.Rate this question:
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- 5.
On June 25th this man claimed, before Senate Watergate Committee, that President Nixon was involved in the coverup within days of the inicident in June 1972.
- A.
Chuck Colson
- B.
Gordon Liddy
- C.
John Dean
Correct Answer
C. John DeanExplanation
John Dean is the correct answer because he testified before the Senate Watergate Committee on June 25th and claimed that President Nixon was involved in the cover-up of the Watergate incident within days of the event in June 1972. This testimony was significant in the Watergate scandal as it implicated the President in the illegal activities that took place.Rate this question:
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- 6.
This man reveals the presence of a taping system in the White House which President Nixon had used to tape all of his phone calls and conversations in his office.
- A.
John Mitchell
- B.
Egil Krogh
- C.
Alexander P. Butterfield
Correct Answer
C. Alexander P. ButterfieldExplanation
Alexander P. Butterfield is the correct answer because he is the person who revealed the presence of a taping system in the White House. President Nixon had secretly recorded all of his phone calls and conversations in his office, and it was Butterfield who disclosed this information during a testimony before the Senate Watergate Committee. This revelation played a significant role in the Watergate scandal and ultimately led to President Nixon's resignation.Rate this question:
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- 7.
On July 25th, President Nixon refused to surrender these to the Watergate Committee
- A.
Classified documents concerning his role in Vietnam
- B.
Documents and tapes from his office
- C.
Memos of meetings with Watergate conspirators
Correct Answer
B. Documents and tapes from his officeExplanation
President Nixon refused to surrender the documents and tapes from his office to the Watergate Committee. These documents and tapes were crucial evidence that could potentially implicate him in the Watergate scandal. By withholding this evidence, Nixon was attempting to protect himself and prevent further scrutiny of his involvement in the scandal. This refusal to cooperate with the committee's investigation raised suspicions and ultimately contributed to his downfall.Rate this question:
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- 8.
This high-level government member resigned on October 10th over a different kind of charge.
- A.
John Mitchell
- B.
Spiro T. Agnew
- C.
Hubert Humphrey
Correct Answer
B. Spiro T. AgnewExplanation
Spiro T. Agnew is the correct answer because he was a high-level government member who resigned on October 10th. Agnew was the Vice President of the United States under President Richard Nixon. He resigned due to charges of tax evasion and accepting bribes while he was Governor of Maryland. This scandal led to his resignation from the Vice Presidency in 1973.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Which one of these men actually carried out the order by President Nixon to fire the Special Prosecutor?
- A.
Elliot Richardson
- B.
William Ruckelshaus
- C.
Robert Bork
Correct Answer
C. Robert BorkExplanation
Robert Bork is the correct answer because he was the individual who actually carried out the order by President Nixon to fire the Special Prosecutor. Elliot Richardson and William Ruckelshaus were both involved in the Watergate scandal, but it was Bork who ultimately executed the order and dismissed the Special Prosecutor, Archibald Cox, in what became known as the "Saturday Night Massacre" in 1973.Rate this question:
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- 10.
This man was named as the new Special Prosecutor.
- A.
John Stennis
- B.
Leon Jaworski
- C.
Harold Hill
Correct Answer
B. Leon JaworskiExplanation
Leon Jaworski is the correct answer because he was named as the new Special Prosecutor. The question states that "This man was named as the new Special Prosecutor," indicating that the person being referred to is the one who received this appointment. Therefore, John Stennis and Harold Hill are incorrect options as they were not named as the new Special Prosecutor.Rate this question:
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- 11.
Erasures found in the tapes were said to be done by "some sinister force." Name the person that made this statement.
- A.
Alexander Haig
- B.
William Ruckelshaus
- C.
Rose Mary Woods
Correct Answer
A. Alexander HaigExplanation
Alexander Haig made the statement that the erasures found in the tapes were done by "some sinister force".Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Aug 20, 2011Quiz Created by
Sgt_Rock