Why did Ford become president and why was it a first?
- 9th August 1974 after Nixon resigned due to the Watergate Scandal
- First and only president not elected as either VP or President
What was Ford’s domestic policy?
- 8 September 1974 – Ford granted a full pardon to Nixon for all crimes related to Watergate
- Intended to help the country move forward but led to a public backlash, reducing Ford’s popularity.
- Many viewed it as a “corrupt bargain”, damaging his credibility.
What economic problems were there under Ford?
‘Stagflation’ - inherited serious economic problems:
- Inflation over 11% in 1974
- Unemployment rose to 9% by 1975
- Stagnant economic growth + high inflation = ‘Stagflation’
What was the WIN campaign?
- Whip Inflation Now (WIN) campaign (1974)
- Voluntary programme encouraging spending cuts & saving rather than borrowing
- Widely seen as ineffective; inflation remained high
How did Ford deal with the 1975 recession?
- Shifted towards Keynesian policies, increasing government spending to counteract the recession
- Proposed $16 billion tax cut, which helped economic recovery slightly
What Civil Rights issues were there under Ford?
- Continued enforcement of school desegregation through busing (transporting students to different areas to integrate schools)
- Faced intense white backlash, especially in the North
- Supported affirmative action but remained cautious to avoid alienating conservative voters
What happened with Women’s Rights under Ford?
- He supported the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) but made little progress
- Vetoed some bills that would have expanded federal funding for childcare and education
- His wife Betty Ford was an outspoken feminist
What were the Helsinki Accords?
1975
- Agreement between USA, USSR, and 33 other nations
- Recognised post-WWII European borders (benefiting USSR)
- Promised human rights commitments, but the USSR largely ignored these
- Mixed reaction: some saw it as a diplomatic success, while others (e.g., conservatives) felt Ford was too weak on communism
What were Ford’s relations with China and the USSR?
CHINA:
- Continued Nixon’s policy of engagement with China
- Strengthened ties through diplomatic visits but no breakthroughs
USSR:
- Ford continued Nixon’s policy of détente (relaxing tensions with the USSR)
What happened in Vietnam and SE Asia under Ford?
Fall of Saigon (April 1975):
- Marked the official end of the Vietnam War.
- Ford ordered the evacuation of Americans and Vietnamese allies, but it was seen as a humiliating defeat for the USA.
Mayaguez Incident (1975):
- Cambodian communist group Khmer Rouge seized a US cargo ship.
- Ford ordered military rescue, which successfully recovered the crew but at the cost of 41 US soldiers’ lives.
- Show of military strength, but questioned for unnecessary loss of life.
What happened during the 1976 Presidential Election?
- Faced strong opposition from Ronald Reagan within the Republican Party.
- Won Republican nomination but the campaign was divisive.
- Lost to Democrat Jimmy Carter (50.1% to 48%) due to:
- Lingering Watergate resentment.
- Economic struggles.
- Perception of weak leadership, especially in foreign policy.
What were the successes and failings of Ford’s presidency?
Successes:
✔ Restored some trust in government after Watergate.
✔ Continued détente with the USSR.
✔ Acted decisively in Vietnam and the Mayaguez incident.
Failures:
✖ Nixon’s pardon damaged public trust.
✖ Economic policies were inconsistent and failed to solve stagflation.
✖ Weak leadership image led to defeat in 1976.
What happened to Ford’s approval rating while he was president?
It halved in his first
six months in power
