Ford (Domestic)

Question 1

Ford’s pardon of Nixon

Answer 1

Ford’s pardon of Nixon, irreparably damaged relations with Congress, the public and the media.

Question 2

Corruption under Ford

Answer 2

Church committee revealed the CIA had had acted in a way that undermined many Americans perceptions of honesty in overseas engagements.

-corporate friends received special favours and had excessive access to him
-Had moved to stop investigations into watergate
-food is running mate was dogged by pre-stories of illegal corporate contributions to his election
-Ford White House team was corrupt

Ford quickly realised the danger of keeping the Nixon team in place and began to put his own man in key positions

Question 3

Carter victory

Answer 3

Lowest presidential election turnout since 1948
Reasons Carter won:
-The perception that was a weak indecisive leader who had lost grounds to the Soviets.
-Economic problems inflation was double and Americans were worried about oil shortages and gasoline prices.
-Perception that fords administration was corrupt.
-Carter was an Washington outsider
-Carter exploited the nations anti-Washington mood. Many considered the federal government meddlesome, out of touch and untrustworthy and immoral.

The percentage of people who felt the government will do what is right most of the time was 29%

Percentage of people who affairs were run for the benefit of a few big interests rather than all people was 65%