CREEP

Definition

CREEP refers to the secret political espionage and surveillance tactics used by the Nixon administration during the Watergate scandal. It encompasses the unlawful and unethical actions taken by Nixon's team to undermine political opponents and maintain power.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The CREEP (Committee to Re-Elect the President) was a special committee formed by the Nixon administration to coordinate the president's re-election campaign and engage in various unethical tactics.
2. The CREEP orchestrated the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate office complex, which was a key event that sparked the Watergate scandal.
3. The Nixon administration used CREEP to conduct surveillance, gather intelligence, and sabotage political opponents, including the Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, George McGovern.
4. CREEP's activities included wiretapping, break-ins, and the use of 'dirty tricks' to discredit and undermine political adversaries.
5. The exposure of CREEP's actions and the subsequent investigation led to the downfall of the Nixon presidency, as the president was forced to resign in the face of impending impeachment.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of CREEP in the Watergate scandal and how it contributed to the downfall of the Nixon administration.
  • CREEP, the Committee to Re-Elect the President, was a special committee formed by the Nixon administration to coordinate the president's re-election campaign. However, CREEP also engaged in a range of unethical and illegal activities, including orchestrating the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters in the Watergate office complex. This event, and the subsequent cover-up and investigation, ultimately led to the downfall of the Nixon presidency, as the president was forced to resign in the face of impending impeachment due to the exposure of CREEP's actions and the Nixon administration's involvement in the scandal.
• Analyze the impact of CREEP's political espionage and surveillance tactics on the democratic process during the Watergate era.
  • CREEP's activities, which included wiretapping, break-ins, and the use of 'dirty tricks' to discredit and undermine political opponents, had a significant impact on the democratic process during the Watergate era. These unethical and illegal tactics undermined the integrity of the political system, as the Nixon administration sought to maintain power and influence through covert and undemocratic means. The exposure of CREEP's actions and the subsequent investigation highlighted the importance of checks and balances, as well as the need for transparency and accountability in the political process. The Watergate scandal ultimately served as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked executive power and the importance of protecting democratic institutions.
• Evaluate the lasting impact of the Watergate scandal and the CREEP's activities on public trust in government and the presidency.
  • The Watergate scandal and the activities of CREEP had a profound and lasting impact on public trust in government and the presidency. The revelation that the Nixon administration had engaged in a range of unethical and illegal tactics, including political espionage and surveillance, shattered the public's faith in the integrity of the political system. The scandal highlighted the potential for abuse of power and the importance of checks and balances, as well as the need for greater transparency and accountability in government. The lasting impact of Watergate can be seen in the increased public skepticism towards political institutions and the presidency, as well as the strengthening of laws and regulations aimed at preventing similar abuses of power in the future. The Watergate scandal ultimately served as a watershed moment in American politics, underscoring the fragility of democratic institutions and the need for vigilance in protecting them.

Related terms

Watergate Scandal:

The political scandal that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974, stemming from the break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and the subsequent cover-up.

Nixon Administration: The presidential administration of Richard Nixon, which was marred by the Watergate scandal and the president's eventual resignation.

Political Espionage: The use of covert and illegal methods to gather information or influence political processes, often for the benefit of a particular party or individual.