How to write a presidential resignation letter.
Overview: Students, already having a base knowledge of the events and results of the Watergate scandal, will read and analyze Richard M. Nixon‟s resignation speech of August 1974. Following, they will write their own resignation letter from President Nixon‟s perspective and eventually compare their work to the resignation letter Nixon submitted upon leaving office. Objectives: 1. To identify, compare and contrast the stated and actual causes of Richard Nixon‟s resignation from office in 1974. 2. To identify political strategies, such as double-speak and euphemisms. 3. To develop writing skills, vocabulary skills and interpersonal communication in the classroom. 4. To analyze and interpret primary documents/sources. Materials 1. Key excerpts of Nixon‟s resignation speech. (Video only works well. Text only works well. Combination of both is best for visual and auditory listeners.) 2. Electronic copy of Nixon‟s resignation letter to Kissinger. Available here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:NixonResignationLetter.gif (works well with computer projector, or reprints fine for distribution). 3. Paper and pencil for writing own letter. Procedures 1. Have students read/watch the excerpt of Nixon‟s televised resignation speech. Analyze two important questions: a. Why does Nixon say he will resign? (1. Because his political support base has vanished. 2. Because he feels Congress and the Executive Branch would spend too much time vindicating him and not focus on huge issues like peace abroad and domestic inflation) b. Why is Nixon really resigning? (Because he‟s guilty of a cover-up and likely would have been convicted by the Senate during impeachment trials). c. Define terms like: Vindication, perseverance, prosperity.
2. Tell students they are to now take on the role of the president and they have to write their own resignation letters. It doesn‟t hurt to trump this up a bit, you know, “You‟re the president, most powerful man in the world, you have 300 million people you must answer to, this is the last thing you‟ll ever write as the leader of the free world, etc.,etc.,etc.” 3. Give students 5-10 minutes to write their letters. Ask for volunteers to share. 4. Make students think: Ask them, “Normally, who would you tell „I quit‟ to? On a regular job, who would you give your resignation to?” (Their boss). Follow up with, “Well, then who would the president write his letter to?” 5. Finally, show students a copy/projection of Nixon‟s resignation letter. Compare, contrast and ask why Nixon might have written his the way he did. Assessment: Short Quiz with objectives of: - vocabulary terms - stated reasons and actual reasons for Nixon‟s resignation. - Historical facts: who succeeded him? Was he impeached? Was he convicted of any wrongdoing?