Answer: c. of his role in directing the cover-up of the break-in at Democratic headquarters
Step-by-step explanation:
The Watergate scandal led to Richard Nixon's downfall primarily because of option c: his role in directing the cover-up of the break-in at Democratic headquarters.
The Watergate scandal unfolded in the early 1970s when five men were arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. As investigations proceeded, it became evident that the break-in was not an isolated incident but part of a broader political conspiracy. The Nixon administration, including Richard Nixon himself, was implicated in orchestrating a cover-up to conceal their involvement.
Option c accurately reflects the central reason for Nixon's downfall. Rather than taking immediate action to address the break-in and cooperate with the investigation, Nixon and his close advisors attempted to obstruct justice by concealing evidence, paying hush money to the burglars, and using various means to impede the investigation. The involvement of high-ranking officials and the subsequent discovery of secret White House tapes revealing incriminating conversations solidified the notion that Nixon had a central role in the cover-up.
The scandal created a national uproar and eroded public trust in the presidency. The press, including investigative reporters from The Washington Post, played a significant role in uncovering the truth behind the Watergate break-in and exposing the subsequent cover-up. The relentless pursuit of the truth by journalists, along with the efforts of congressional investigations, eventually led to the revelation of Nixon's complicity and the subsequent resignation of the President in August 1974.
Options a, b, and d are incorrect as they attribute Nixon's downfall to different circumstances. Option a references the Bay of Pigs incident, which occurred during the Kennedy administration and was unrelated to Watergate. Option b refers to the Pentagon Papers, a separate scandal involving the leaking of classified documents about the Vietnam War, but it was not directly linked to Nixon's downfall. Option d mentions Nixon's involvement with organized crime in carrying out "dirty tricks" against his Democratic opponent, which was a separate issue but not the primary reason for his downfall.