The Watergate scandal, which unfolded in the early 1970s, had significant repercussions on American politics, leading to a crisis of trust in government. It began with a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters and evolved into a cover-up involving high-ranking officials in the Nixon administration. The scandal revealed systemic abuses of power and culminated in President Richard Nixon's resignation in 1974. The fallout led to increased scrutiny of presidential authority, reforms aimed at greater transparency, and a lasting impact on how the public views government integrity and accountability.