Ford Presidency

Question 1

Why did Ford become president and why was it a first?

Answer 1

• 9th August 1974 after Nixon resigned due to the Watergate Scandal
• First and only president not elected as either VP or President

Question 2

What was Ford’s domestic policy?

Answer 2

• 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.

Question 3

What economic problems were there under Ford?

Answer 3

‘Stagflation’ - inherited serious economic problems:
- Inflation over 11% in 1974
- Unemployment rose to 9% by 1975
- Stagnant economic growth + high inflation = ‘Stagflation’

Question 4

What was the WIN campaign?

Answer 4

• Whip Inflation Now (WIN) campaign (1974)
• Voluntary programme encouraging spending cuts & saving rather than borrowing
• Widely seen as ineffective; inflation remained high

Question 5

How did Ford deal with the 1975 recession?

Answer 5

• Shifted towards Keynesian policies, increasing government spending to counteract the recession
• Proposed $16 billion tax cut, which helped economic recovery slightly

Question 6

What Civil Rights issues were there under Ford?

Answer 6

• 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

Question 7

What happened with Women’s Rights under Ford?

Answer 7

• 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

Question 8

What were the Helsinki Accords?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

What were Ford’s relations with China and the USSR?

Answer 9

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)

Question 10

What happened in Vietnam and SE Asia under Ford?

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

What happened during the 1976 Presidential Election?

Answer 11

• 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.

Question 12

What were the successes and failings of Ford’s presidency?

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

What happened to Ford’s approval rating while he was president?

Answer 13

It halved in his first
six months in power