Final answer:
The Watergate scandal eroded trust and faith in the American political system by exposing corruption and abuse of power and raising concerns about the effectiveness of the checks and balances system.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Watergate scandal challenged Americans' faith in their political system in two main ways. Firstly, it exposed widespread corruption and abuse of power at the highest levels of government, undermining the belief that politicians act in the best interest of the people. The fact that President Richard Nixon was involved in the cover-up of the scandal shattered trust and created cynicism among the public.
Secondly, the Watergate scandal highlighted flaws in the checks and balances system of the American political system. It revealed that the executive branch had overstepped its boundaries and violated the law, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the system to hold politicians accountable. This erosion of trust and confidence in the political system led to demands for reform and greater transparency.
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