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The Watergate Scandal

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The Watergate Scandal was one of the most significant events in modern politics. It led to unprecedented changes and opened doors to investigative journalism. With an uproar that started from an investigative report to a President’s resignation, it certainly remains unforgettable.

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The Operation

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On June 17, 1972, five men broke into the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters situated in the Watergate complex, Washington DC. This burglary was not a one-time thing but part of an operation carried out by members of the Nixon administration. It was intended to wiretap the telephones to gain information that could affect the outcome of the 1972 Presidential election.

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Tipping the Iceberg

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Two journalists from the Washington Post, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, played a crucial role in uncovering this scandal. With unwavering determination, they followed intricate trails leading to the highest power corridors.

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Margaret Thatcher’s Poll Tax Reforms

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A uniquely British event, the implementation of the controversial “poll tax” reforms by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, was outrageous due to its widespread unpopularity and the significant civil unrest it caused.

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What Was the Poll Tax?

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In 1989, the Thatcher government implemented a flat-rate local tax (unofficially known as the Poll Tax) that replaced progressive local taxes. It was widely perceived as hitting the poorest hardest.

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Public Reaction

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The announcement of the poll tax reforms triggered widespread public protests, culminating in the violent Poll Tax Riots in 1990. This popular outrage contributed to Thatcher’s resignation later in the same year.

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Alleged Russian Interference in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election

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The 2016 U.S. Presidential Election will forever be remembered in history, not only for its surprising result but for the allegations and investigations into Russian interference.

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Unprecedented Accusations

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Post-election, U.S. intelligence agencies accused the Russian government of interfering in the election process. Allegedly, they favored Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, over his Democratic counterpart, Hillary Clinton.

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The Mueller Investigation

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The Mueller investigation, a 22-month long probe led by Robert Mueller, a former director of the FBI, was launched to determine the validity of these accusations. The investigation detailed Russian interference but did not conclude whether President Trump’s campaign had conspired with Russia.

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The Brexit Referendum

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Back in Britain, the Brexit referendum in 2016 was another controversial event that shocked and reshaped modern politics.

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The Decision to Leave

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On June 23, 2016, a majority of British voters voted to exit the European Union. It was an unforeseen decision that sparked political upheaval, leading to the resignation of Prime Minister David Cameron.

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Prolonged Political Wrangling

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The decision to leave sparked years of convoluted negotiations and political turmoil, causing two subsequent prime ministers’ terms to be dominated by the ordeal.

Without a doubt, these outrageous events have significantly given shape to modern politics. Power dynamics shifted, leaders fell, laws changed, and the public understood more about the intricacies of politics. These events, outrageous as they were, have undeniably influenced the course of public policy and governance.