President Richard Nixon's resignation was prompted by the infamous scandal known as the Watergate scandal. This scandal unfolded in the early 1970s and had far-reaching consequences for the Nixon administration and the American political landscape as a whole.

The Watergate scandal began in 1972 when five men were arrested for breaking into the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C. These men were linked to Nixon's reelection campaign, raising suspicions of political espionage and illegal activities.

As the investigations unfolded, it became evident that the break-in was part of a larger web of illegal activities orchestrated by members of the Nixon administration. The scandal involved illegal wiretapping, campaign finance violations, and attempts to obstruct justice.

The public's trust in the government was severely shaken as more details emerged about the extent of the wrongdoing. The scandal was further exacerbated by the revelation of secret White House tape recordings, which captured incriminating conversations between Nixon and his aides.

The Watergate scandal led to a series of investigations by the media, Congress, and a special prosecutor. The public demanded answers, and the media coverage was relentless. The scandal dominated the news cycle for months, and the public's outrage grew as the evidence against Nixon and his associates mounted.

In 1974, the House Judiciary Committee voted to impeach President Nixon for obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress. Facing almost certain impeachment by the House of Representatives and a trial in the Senate, Nixon chose to resign on August 8, 1974.

Nixon's resignation marked the first and only time in American history that a sitting president has resigned from office. The Watergate scandal had a profound impact on American politics and the public's perception of government. It led to reforms in campaign finance laws, increased scrutiny of presidential powers, and a heightened sense of skepticism towards politicians.

In conclusion, the scandal that forced President Nixon to resign was the Watergate scandal. It was a watershed moment in American history, forever changing the way the public views the presidency and the government's accountability.

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