The Watergate Scandal - Chapter 10 and the Reasons Why I Chose it

     The Watergate scandal forced the President to his knees, begging for forgiveness. At 2:30 on the morning of Saturday, June 17, 1972, three Washington, D.C., police officers caught five men attempting to place listening devices inside the Democratic National Committee offices in the Watergate office complex in the nation's capital. The men wore business suits and rubber gloves.

     Watergate is one of the most well known government corruption scandals in history. Who was involved in the Watergate scandal? Watergate involved some of the highest ranking officers, government officials, and government agencies including the CIA and President Nixon. In the following blog entries, I will answer questions such as; what year did Watergate happen?, who was involved in Watergate?, what happened during Watergate?, and what caused the Watergate scandal? The answer to these questions will help uncover the mystery of who was leading this catastrophe. Obviously, it has already been uncovered, but play along and you will enjoy the ride this blog takes you on.

     This chapter also focuses on journalists and their will power to stand strong, solid, and firm with no bias. The two men who pushed the limits of investigative journalism are no known as two of the most iconic names in the media and journalism world. This scandal collapsed the White House and terrified people around the world. It sent shock waves around the universe. The fact that the President of this amazing country could be so sneaky and evil stunned the nation. Own very own President Nixon was a solicitor in the secretive operation called the Watergate Scandal.

Reasons for Chosing Chapter 7

     Chapter 7 - Defying the Ku Klux Klan was the only chapter out of the 4 that I seemed to be most interested in. I know more about this and I am also quite interested in it as well. The KKK can still be found in remote locations and cities in this country, but no where near the number of members it used to have. It was an enormous part of U.S. history and impacted so many in so many ways. Racism is still relevant in this country and the Klan was one of, if not, the strongest enforcer of racism of all time. I am 100% against racism of all kinds. It is cruel and degrading. No one deserves to be put down and underminded because of the color of their skin! It was hard for me to even type that because of rediculous it sounds! It is sickening to me that there were people that existed that could do the things the Klan did, such as burn, kill, rape, and murder not just African Americans, but all kinda of people. It is even more disturbing that there are people TODAY that continue to practice the KKK and the way of the KKK. Aside from the Klu Klux Klan, all racism should be stopped once and for all. It should be illegal to be a racist in my opinion.
     It is amazing to me that the KKK "swept the nation" (a reference to a subtopic in the book). It all started with a few racist, white men putting together the idea of creating a racist cult. They never thought they would end up have Klans all around the country, so why did it happen?! I give so much respect and credit to the great Americans who stopped them significantly, but I wish it happened sooner. And the media is to, and will be fully blamed for that right here in this blog. Yep! I said it. I AM BLAMING THE MEDIA FOR THE KKK SWEEPING THE NATION. You could have written articles and published cartoons about them much earlier then you did. But no, you were scared. Scared of what? That they were going to kill you at night when you sleep? I'm sure we all learned a valuable lesson, as well as the media and journalists around the world; to act when harm is stunting the growth of your country, its cities and towns, its morals and vaules, and most importantly your people.

Chapter 7 Outline

Mightier Than the Sword

• 1. Chapter 7 - "Defying the Ku Klux KlanThe"
• The Civil War ended slavery. Despite the Constitution, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendment, peace shined bright in a new struggle that would affect American society and culture for over 100 years. In the South, slavery was transformed into a conflict to free blacks through custom, law, intimidation, and violence. In a sense, the Civil war continued on...just in a new age. The clan started (and didn't end) and would continue to grow for years to come. They were defined as killers and racists. They would emerge with such power that they would even invade politics and scheme their way through the ways of the governmental system, like a sly snake covertly slithering around. The failure to produce the promises they made to their members would be so prominent, yet the numbers continued to increase in the application process.

• 2. Sweeping the Nation
• The Ku Klux Klan emerged in 1866 from Pulaski, Tennessee. They came right out of the law office of Judge Thomas M. Jones as a social movement responding to the end of slavery. Six former rebel soldiers changed the Greek word "kuklos" ("circle or band") to "Ku Klux." Because of fraternity rituals, the clan disguised themselves as spirits to hate on the free black population. They would end up sweeping the nation of its horrific rituals and terrifying morals and vaules. They were human monsters. There would end up being locations of the Klan all around the country. It gave the racist white men of America a reason to live.



This cartoon was taken from Goolge.com (http://fun-brainiac.com/Pics/Funny/KKK/kkk06.JPG). This cartoon is quit funny. It is showing a KKK member shocked by the fact that God is white. The KKK is a racist organization, indication the notion they would never think God is African American.

• 3. The New York World Hurls a Hand Grenade
• The New York World exposing the Ku Klue Klan brought national attention to the operations and actions of the Ku Klux Klan. It published a series of twenty one consecutive daily articles that discussed numerous aspects of the Ku Klux Klan including rituals, recruitment methods, propaganda, and hypocrisies in logic. At least fifteen other newspapers nationwide picked up the coverage, which led to national discourse on the activities of the group. This news media outlet helped break down the strong wall that surrounded the KKK between the people and their identity. This a great example of media doing its part to help this country in desperate need of a hero. The media and journalists of this decade were the heros. They saved the lives of the innocent people, and even the people in the KKK.

• 4. The Commercial Appeal in Hand-to-Hand Combat
• A strong side of the media were the cartoons they printed which clearly illustrated the reasons that words couldn't do due to the illiteracy of most of the American public that didn't have an education. The cartoons exposed the KKK for the frauds that they were by showing how absurd the KKK would go to to show their hatred towards certain parts of the country. The stop to the progression of the KKK showed the might of the newspapers and how much influence they could gather to turning a force of that magnitude around and helping to change the course of American history as the KKK today are considered an afterthought to what they used to be. Thanks to the power of the Newspapers!



This image was taken from Google.com (http://blackchristiannews.com/news/kkk.jpg). This photograph gives you a little insight on what the KKK was all about. They would have secretive meetings in the woods and burn a large statue of the cross. This symbolizes their hatred toward religion, especially Catolicism.

• 5. The Montgomery Advertiser Wages War
• Petrifying, hooded (many seeming to have long moustaches and beards), and clothed in white robes, members of the Klan generally drew members from the lower white classes. Literally casting issues in black or white, with only one race or one form of politics viewed as good or evil, the Klan was able to have a broad appeal. Yet, the power to continue this hatred was in the hands of the Southners, who directed the other classes to the new cause. And so this is exactly how The Montgomery Advertiser depicted these awful characters. They followed right behind The New York World and The Commercial Appeal. These ideas, depictions, cartoons, and articles about the KKK really helped in playing a role in the stoppage of the KKK moving foward. Journalism and media really can change the rhythm of a group, state, person, or even country. This can be seen in this here blog. The media can truly build a solid foundation around this country if they acted like they did toward the KKK. With help from a good supporting cast, wisdom, knowledgle, and the skill to write in a comprehensive and cohesive manner, journalism can change the way history was.



This image was taken from Google.com (http://scrapetv.com/News/News%20Pages/Politics/Images/ku-klux-klan-salute.jpg). I chose this image because of its disturbing tone. This truly represents all of the KKK. They would hide themselves underneath write garments. It shows the weakness of the Klan. They motto of "hide, kill, and run" defines them as weak people.

• 6 Turning Back the Klu Klux Klan
• We all know the Pulitzer Prize is the greatest prize any journalist can recieve, but the three newspapers that put a severe halt to the defiance of the KKK were not thinking twice about it when covering the KKK. The New York World, Memphis Commercial Appeal, and Montgomery Advertiser were organized and intelligent newspapers that were stirctly about informing. They took their "heart" out when they were on the job and replaced it with discipline and mental toughness. But to them, the highest award was having a positive influence on their communities. This gave the writers and entire staff warmth and comfort. Their passion was recognized by so many, that they were getting the attention of city officals. The connection between the city officals (of all majoy cities) and the three newspapers played a vitol role in the stoppage of the KKK. New York was a popular state within the KKK organization, in cities such as Albany, Buffalo, Schenectady, Syracuse, and Utica. New York City failed to make the list. It scares me to think that these horrific creatures used to lurk own very own New York State! I could never picture this beautiful state of NY being harmed in any way. In any effort, the newspapers had more impact on the Klan than any other force. It really "shows what digging and documenting can do to a seemingly powerful organization" (Rodger Streitmatter, "Mighter Than the Sword" pg. 125).

Chapter 7 Summary - Defying the Ku Klux Klan

     Journalism, journalists, news anchors, media news, and every type of news outlet has had and can have significant impacts on shaping American history. This statement is true, but not everyone realizes it or takes advantage of it. In defying years of the KKK, media was a great benefactor to supressing the KKK and they deranged ways of life.
     The intimidating and cruel world of the Ku Kulx Klan all started in 1915. Because of the rapid changes that were happening in America during this time the Klan offered Americans a sense of fraternity and commitment of self-defiance. It them an excuse to blame a long list of people for causing social madness. They blamed the Catholics, Jews, and immagrants just to name a few. This empire of misfits, known as the KKK, became a force to be reckoned with. They started in the South (Texas) and spread throughtout the country like a forest fire.This disease would eventually spread throughout our governmental system; influencing those with high authoritative power. They made a huge impact on this country and were fully distinguished as a whole when they invaded Washington, D.C. An estimated 40,000 showed up in their white robes and silly headwear, simply to make a statement.
     After a while, their violence and exploitative surfaced and were made public. For so long the media would shy away or turn their backs to the horror of the KKK. It seems so strage that they would do this. I know in today's world, the media prounces on anything they can find, now matter how scandalous. So my question is why would the media, in the days of the KKK, not report on a red hot news topic like that? I am not saying that the days of the KKK were fun(!) and hip(!) at all. I am simply upset that the journalsists didn't report on this subject. It could have saved lives and we could have ended this thing much earlier than it did. Journalism can do something like that; save this beautiful country from harms way. So many, including the press, turned the other way because they were scared of the Klan. Eventually, it was the good people of America that acted toether to get them off the streets and away from their secretive cult gatherings
     Violence toward people, especially blacks, was not going to be tollerated anymore. The press eventually  played a big role by putting the Klan to an end. They published articles and cartoons portraying them as horrible and violent people...which was very true. The newspapers that published the anti-Klan pages recieved Pulitzer Prize awards.
     During their time of existence, they Klan swept the nation up; trying to recruit anyone from anywhere. Suprisingly enough, the recruiters recieved pay and so did the leaders of each Klan, which motivated them to get more and more members to join the Klan. By 1924, Klan membership soared to a whoping 4 million. Wow! However, there was a scheme plan in order to attract the people closer to offically join. They would say that money would be offered if they joined, but soon they joined, the money offer went down the drain and they would be left with nothing. And if they tried to leave the clan because of the money issue, they would be killed...so no one left. It was a cruel world the KKK lived in. They had zero respect for themselves and zero respect for the others. They weren't aware of this, but it was known that Klan members practiced the Devil's work.

Chapter Outline for Chapter 1

Mighter Than the Sword

• I. Chapter 1: "Sowing the Seeds of Revolution"
• In the summer of 1768 & 1769, a band of political rebels (56 of them to be exact) turned the world upside down by signing the famous document The Declaration of Independence. This opened up the country to a whle new "world" called freedom of speech and freedom of press. Writing and its power started getting recognition. People saw the positive and negative affects of it.
 
http://www.thefreemanonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/declaration-of-independence.jpg. This image is of the Declaration of Independence. This here document helped in giving more freedom to America.
• Journalism and freedom of press become so pertinent, milestones such as "The Journal of Occurrences" and The Boston Massacre helped shape the history of journalism

• II. Sam Adams
• Known as one of the best writers of his time...in 1773, Sam Adams would organize the Boston Tea Party.
• He was the brother of John Adams, another prominent figure in the Boston/journalism scene.
• He was a Harvard graduate and started small at the Boston Gazette.
• At the height of his career, he wrote "The Journal of Occurrences" which became to be one of the first types of newspaper. It included negative reports of the British soldiers. This motivated militiamen to come to Boston to look out for any bad activity. The accusations toward to the British troops later were known to be false.

http://www.nndb.com/people/732/000048588/sam-adams.jpg. This photograph is of Sam Adams, brother of John Adams. He played a vital role in starting the revolution of enformation.

• III. "Journal of Occurrences" as News Service
• Adams evolved the "Journal of Occurrences" into a communication network that spread its anti-British rhetoric to every street and alleyway of the colonies.
• This simple little phamplet became a phenomenom to everyone who encountered it.
• The "Journal" became habitual for the citizens; buying it and reading it whenever a new issue was released.
• Adam's main motivation for writing articles were the British troops stationed in Boston. They were put there to oversee the land and to make sure everything was under control.
• The articles were all in opposition for the British toops. Adam's would write about how cruel and harmful they were to law-abiding citizens; how they would rape women; etc... They were seen as villains.
• The "Journal" proclaimed to be "strictly fact", but ended up being "strictly false". With every case of a cruel British troop, came false statements in order to run them out of the city of Boston. It was a good idea and Adam's had great intentions, but he found out the hard way that lieing is not the answer.
• The "Journal" ceased operations when the truth came out after issuing 300 copies to the colonies.

http://www.history.org/Foundation/journal/Spring03/images/occurrences.jpg.

• IV. Boston Massacre: Not to be Forgotten
• There were British troops in Boston during 1770 to maintain order and to enforce the Townshed Acts. Boston gangs would harrass them until no end. Finally, the troops were sick of the harrassment and fired into a crowd of rioters and killed 5 men.
• The impact of the incident was profound. Despite the best efforts of the government to cool down any anti-British acts, such as immediately removing the troops from Boston and postponing the trial by several months, the result was the increase of support for the independence of the people.

http://www.mahwah.k12.nj.us/web_disk/379-379/Revolution/350px-Boston_Massacre.jpg. This drawing depicts the scene that went on during the quick, yet brutal Boston Massacre. The Brits fired erradicly and killed innocent civilians without any significant reason. This caused mayhem for years to come.



• V. Common Sense Ignites a Nation
• Thomas Paine's Common Sense was somewhat responsible for America's successful separation from England. Using persuasive, effective writing strategies, the pamphlet made the case for American independence by attacking the King of England and arguing for self-government.
• I do, however, think it is absurd that people had the "balls" to argue the phamplet and to disagree with it. Yes, this was something no one had ever heard of or seen before, but at least give it a try! Mr. Paine saved our country. Without him, who knows what today in America would be like. But people wouldn't give him the light of day until others started to agree. Once everyone else does it, the others follow.

http://www.njreadforlife.org/PaineCommonSense.jpg. This is an image of the "Journal of Occurances". This document became a revolution. It was the first type of journalists entry where it challenged the way people thought and went about their daily lives.

• VI. Crisis Essay Inspire an Army
• The Crisis is a collection of articles written by Thomas Paine during the American Revolutionary War.
• General Washington found the first essay so inspiring, he ordered that it be read to the troops at Valley Forge.
• The essays are pro-war/pro-army and talk of his relationship with his gun, the battlefield, and war.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71PAZB2YY7L.gif. This is an image of Tom Paine's book of collected writings, such as Common Sense titled "Paine". This book incorporates all of his best writings. You can't get enough with this book.

Reasons for Chosing Chapter 1

     To be honest, I take a lot of intrest to history and a lot of interest to journalism. So put the two and two together, and you have a very interested Journalism & Democracy student. I am a media, history, and journalism buff and this chapter portrays all of the above. "Sowing the Seeds of Revolution" shows us the faces behind all of those who played a vital role in changing our history and our history of journalism. I like to learn about what people have done, but I really like learning about who that person is and what goes on inside their heads. Everything was so entirely different back then. From writing, to ways of thinking, and government...you never would have thought people from such early days could do things people couldn't have thought of today! Even the writing changed drastically. It started as writing being illegal in some cases, to little magazines and essays making their way around the country, to top-selling newspapers that inform the public of everything single thing they need to know about anything single thing they choose.

Chapter 1 Summary

     BOMB THREAT IN THE PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE!!! Only kidding. Did I get your attention? I know that wasn't a funny joke, but I'm sure I got your attention. A lot of false journalism went on duirng the late 1770's - mid-1800's. Anyhow, I am not writing this blog today simply to inform you of someone I admire (the third blog), but to inform you of how journalism "Sowed the Seeds of the Revolution" and how history has shaped it. Chapter 1 shows us (the reader) the in's and out's of the mid to late 1770's and what happened to the face of journalism. It started with 56 rebels signing a unknown document called The Declaration of Independence. The opened up the doors to freedom and independence for people around the country, but more importantly for journalism and the power of speech and writing.

     This all essentially started in Boston, Massachuessetts...with The Boston Massacre, Sam Adams, and "The Journal of Occurances." These occuarnces shined the light of journalism upon so many, seeing that that the people deserved a voice and a say in government. Sam Adams was the one who started questioning the government and how they conducted their approach. His voice was quickly heard everywhere, and people caught on to his clever idea of questioning. Writing started to appear in magazines, newspapers, and phamplets. "The Journal of Occurances" was the first of its kind in the newspaper business and it spread to quickly, and was selling out all of the time. Most of the articles were about the troops from Britain and how cruel they were to the general public. Funny enough, weather dominated the news before all of this happened.

     Of course my two main men, David Ramsey and Thomas Paine, played a significant role in planting and sowing the seeds for the future of journalism. Ramsey fought in the American Revolution, to protect our country's freedom. Paine started out at a small magazine company in Pennsylvania, met Benjamin Franklin, and started and finished one of the most controversial and influencial essay's known to man, "Common Sense." In short, it stated that we should not, as a country, be under English rule, but be citizens of an entire human race. This started the talk of becoming independent. This is what made people scared, but also very willing to listen to help. This shaped American history and the history of journalism.

This is an image of the cover of the book we have finished in class by Rodger Streitmatter. This blog is about chapter 1 of the book titled "Sowing the Seeds of Revolution." It comes from this website: http://www.perseusacademic.com/book.php?isbn=9780813343907