Gerald Ford “My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over.” August 9, 1974.
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Transcript of Gerald Ford “My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over.” August 9, 1974.
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Gerald Ford
“My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is
over.”
August 9, 1974
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What to do with Nixon?
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Ford Pardoned NixonSeptember 8, 1974
“Now, therefore, I, Gerald R. Ford, President of the United States . . . do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto
Richard Nixon . . .”
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Ford’s Pardon and Pen
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Why Pardon Nixon?• Publically: Ford felt that Nixon had suffered
enough– Threat of prosecution was damaging Nixon’s health– Trial would reignite bitter and divisive passions and
prevent the country from moving forward• Privately: Ford felt the trial would hinder his ability
to govern– Hoped a pardon would bring closure to the issue
• Speaks before a congressional committee to answer questions regarding the pardon– First President since Lincoln to do so– States there was never a prearranged pardon
agreement
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Ford’s Approval Rating
Fell from 72% to 49%
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Economy
• High inflation and unemployment
• Nixon faced similar problem– Chose to implement wage and price freezes
• Ford proposed a tax hike and reduction in federal spending but call for more individual spending
• WIN: “Whip Inflation Now” buttons– Big failure, no public interest/support
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Presidential Vetoes
• Vetoed 66 bills in 2.5 years
(FDR 635 vetoes)
• Had 12 vetoes overturned
(2nd most)
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Protecting President Ford
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Sacramento, California September 5, 1975
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Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme
-wanted to bring fame to Charles Mansion “family”
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“Squeaky” Fromme’s Gun
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Sara Jane Moore
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San Francisco, California September 22, 1975
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Sara Jane Moore
December 30, 1975
“Although part of me regrets not being
successful in the task, I am very thankful I
did not kill another human being.”
May 28, 2009 (NBC’s Today Show)"I am glad that I didn't kill [Ford], but I don't
regret trying."
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Busing • Summer of 1974, judge ordered the city school system to
integrate immediately. – All black buses came to all white schools and vise versa
• Mobs of students met the buses and fights broke out• Violence culminated in a white student being stabbed and
a riot
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Ford’s Foreign Policy
Strong Commander-in-Chief and Revive Détente
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Ho Chi Minh OffensiveNVA / VC Attack
December 13, 1974 – April 30, 1975
Vietnam and Southeast Asia
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Ford Asked for $722 million in aid for South Vietnam
NO
"...large sums for evacuation, but not one nickel for military aid"
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Operation Frequent WindApril 30, 1975
Almost 7,000 Americans and Vietnamese are evacuated in a 24 hour period
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USS MayaguezCaptured May 12, 1975
• 39 American naval personnel were captured by the Cambodian military
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USS Mayaguez Rescued
May 15, 1975
• 39 Americans rescued
• 41 Americans were killed in
the rescue
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Gerald Ford Museum
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Soviet Union and Détente
• Wanted to continue Nixon’s détente policy with Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev
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SALT II (1974)(Strategic Arms Limitation Talks II)
• Attempted further cuts in nuclear arsenals• Did not pass
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Helsinki Agreements (1975)
• Soviets wanted: WWII borders recognized (YES)• US wanted: Soviet emigration (NO)
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Ended Yom Kippur War (September 1, 1975)
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Yom Kippur War
• Fought: October 6-25, 1973 between Israel and Arab coalition led by Egypt/Syria
• A surprise attack on Israel on Yom Kippur-the holiest day in Judaism
• Initial success for Arab coalition was later overrun by Israeli forces
• The war humiliated the Arab coalition and showed the Israeli’s impressive operational and tactical abilities
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Gerald Ford’s Domestic Legacy
• Not elected as President (or VP) by American people
• Wanted Nixon’s pardon to heal country but instead reopened the issue/ended honeymoon
• Faced a difficult economy, the likely collapse of Vietnam, and public mistrust of its leaders
• Democrats controlled Congress and were never convinced of Ford’s legislative program – led to a lot of vetos and overriding of vetos
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Gerald Ford’s Foreign Legacy
• Solid but unremarkable record
• Continued to pursue détente – Signed Helsinki pact but failed to agree on
major arms control agreement
• Vietnam War officially ended on his watch– However, the Communists ultimately became victors
• Mayaguez was captured– Successful military operation to save the crew
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Final Analysis• Most Americans believed Gerald Ford was a
decent and good man and that he did bring/restore honor to the White House
• However, the failing economy and his inability to navigate the political game with Congress led to his defeat for reelection in 1976 to Jimmy Carter
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Gerald Ford:
A Time to Heal