MYP Unit Question: How can the contributions of one person affect the direction of an entire nation?

 

Guiding Question: How did Culture and the Role of the President Shape Post-WWII America?

 

The 1970s

Featuring President Gerald Ford

By: Sasha Kenkre, Jamie Miller, Jon Vreede, & Anna Chen

 

 

Business & the Economy 

     Major coporations in the early 1970's were plauged by serious strikes and work-stoppages throughout the nation. Many companies also came under intense scrutiny for their enviornmental practices, with new enviornmental protection laws being enforced by the newly-created Enviornment Protection Agency (EPA). On April 28th, 1970, the Dow-Jones falls to 724.33, the lowest level since the Kennedy asssination. Later that same year, the government begins to mandate the use of unleaded gasoline. In 1971, General Motors issues a recall of 10,000 school buses and 44,000 trucks because of faulty clutches. This followed by Ford recall 220,000 Pintos with faulty gas tanks, and 6.68 million defective Chevrolet cars and trucks. That same year, President Nixon bails out Lockheed Aircraft Corp. to the tune of $250-million; freezes wages, prices, and rents for ninety days beginning in August (which is later extended until April 1973); issues a $25-billion tax-cut; bans lead paint; and ends the trade embargo of China.By 1973, Ford has recalled 4 million more cars adn trucks, and General Motors 350,000 Chevrolet car. Wheat exports also begin to China and Pepsi exports to the USSR for the first time, while construction begins on the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline. 

     In response to the Yom Kippur War, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) begins an embargo against the West. In response, feul prices sky-rocket, airlines issue mass flight cancellations, the highway speed limit is reduced to 55 MPH, and truckers begin a highway blockade. The auto industry is the worst hit, even as Chrysler recalls 64,000 defective cars, and Ford is fined $7 million for improperly servicing cars. By 18th March OPEC ends the oil embargo, but the economy is still in a depression. In repsonse, President Ford issues his new plan: Whip Inflation Now (WIN). In 1975, more recalls are issued by GM, and the government closes down 23 nuclear power plants for inspection. Unemployant tops 8%, the highest level since 1941, and President Ford signs a $22.8 billion tax bill. The next year, as recovery seems possible, the auto raises prices and ceases production of convertibles amid more recalls, while record oil prices and a record 12 million veichles are recalled, GM regains the title of wealthiest corporation in America. Mean foreign auto sales increase 75% over the previous year. Over 175 major companies confess to bribery, while Conrail begins operation. In 1977, the US trade debt reaches its highest level in history ($ 31.5 billion), as iron prodcutin in Minnesota and Michigan is cut in half, and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline opens. Even as the Islamic Revolution in Iran causes while inflation has doubled the cost of good, and the dumping of toxic waste by Hooker Chemical Corp. in Love Canal, New York creates on of America's largest public-health crisis.  As California begins to introduce gasoline rationing in May 1979 and the oil industry is accused of overcharging consumers $1 billion, a major nuclear power plant failure occurs at Three Mile Island, Pennsylvania, and Chrylser requests, and recieves, a $1.5 billion bailout, and the price of gold nearly doubles.     

 

Education 

      In the 1970s there was a huge excess in teachers. The first Earth Day happens and 2 thousand college campuses host the event while over ten thousand other schools take part as well. Discrimination was still taking place throughout the U.S. For example, at Jackson State College in Mississippi a student dorm is shot with police bullets, killing a student and a local high-school senior, both of whom are black. Pennsylvania follows Hawaii as being the second state to legalize teacher strikes. The 16^th annual fall survey, taken by the U.S. Office of Education (USOE), of public elementary and secondary enrollments illustrated a yearly growth of only 1.5 percent. The high school diplomas increase from 38 (1940) to 75 percent was displayed by census data.

     In 1971 the New York legislature passes the law that allows a short period of silent prayer in school. Seven percent of college population was African American. At first, federal authorities enforce a detailed busing plan for schools in Austin, Texas. Nixon, however, was against this and stated that busing should be no more than the “minimum required by law.” The schools were seriously lacking money. In Chicago, schools had to close 12 days early for Christmas break in order to get rid of a 26 million dollar deficit.

     In 1972, at a housing unit at the University of Michigan 29 men and women draw lots and start to live together. This displays a “breaking of barriers between sexes.” The Supreme Court rules that state colleges and universities cannot expel a student for distributing material on campus that administrators find offensive.    

     On August 10^th, 1973 the Justice Department files suit against an Omaha, Nebraska, school district to force desegregation. The Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) rejects college desegregation plans filed by state systems in Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

     In 1974, hew discovers that the New York school system had misused federal funds of around $28 million from 1965-1972. Also, a federal judge orders the integration of Denver’s 70,000 students.

     In 1975, the Metric Conversion Act is set in place to change to the metric system. Today, however, we still have not made the change. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) reports that women receive a lower salary and less promotions, this illustrates the discrimination against women in the workplace. A $1.2 billion school lunch bill and other child nutrition laws are put in place over Gerald Ford’s veto.

     In 1976, busing is court orders without any incidents.  On October 13^th, Gerald Ford signs a medical-education bill in order to increase doctors and other health professionals in the deprived areas where more doctors are needed.

     In 1977, the Supreme Court rules 5-4 on April 19^th that school officials may spank students without violating their constitutional rights. The National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Legal Defense Fund file a suit against HEW , charging them for abandonment of the integration in vocational education and programs for the handicapped in the south. The need for curriculum reform is suggested by the Carnegie Foundation study; the preferred curriculum included the strengthening of core classes and elimination of electives all together.

      In 1978, New York City drops the 1977 plan to assign teachers based on race. The House approves, 237-158, a bill to grant tuition tax credits to middle-income parents of college students.

     In 1979, on September 10^th the Cleveland, Ohio schools desegregate. The Supreme Court rules that colleges that are federally funded do not have to admit all the handicapped applicants or make modifications to accommodate them.

 

Fashion 

     The fashion during the seventies had a vast variety of styles. In 1970 Vice President of McCall Patterns, Rosemary McMurty stated that denim blue jeans were” the youth status symbol of the world.” Also, the miniskirt popularity was spreading across the United States. The good old t-shirt and jeans fashion arrived along with long hair for men. In 1971, hot pants were a big thing for women. In this year Ralph Lauren premiered his first line for women consisting of oxford shirts. In 1972, clog, platform sandals, and high boots for women became widely popular. In 1973, the sleeveless tank top was common wear for both men and women. Also, the pant suit for high fashion women took hold. In 1974, men’s muscle shirts were a hit. Woman wore the bulky fisherman sweater tied with a belt and curly hair was preferred over straight hair. In 1975, men’s platform shoes became a hit along with Levi’s. In 1976, the most popular clothing for women was cowl neck sweaters. In 1977, the sundress entered its way into the fashion society along with extravagant evening wear and graceful skirts. Fur coats came back along with wool legwarmers. Lastly, in 1979 satin stretch body suits in neon colors were worn by dancers.

 

 

 

Film &  Theatre  

     Commercial theater struggled; many dramas and musicals had lost their impact since social issues had been overused. The changing public taste, bad economy, and lack of publicized playwrights led to the decline of quality theater productions.

     Films told stories that were more violent, complicated, and "sexy" than those told in television shows. Special Effects were popular. Some movies were so disturbing that they drove viewers out of theaters. i.e. The Exorcist (although, this movie's disturbing nature appealed to many other viewers). Additionally, in this decade, Black actors appeared in all-black films, as well as those with white stars. Nostalgia was also present in films, as music from the 20s-60s was revisited in many popular films, such as Grease (1978), American Graffiti (1973), and The Sting (1973).

     Horror films, Comedies, Vietnam dramas, and science fiction films [i.e. The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976), Logan's Run (1976), Star Wars (1977), Star Trek (1979), and Superman: The Movie (1978)] became quite popular. Other popular films of the time include, Shaft (1971), The Godfather (1972), The Exorcist (1973), Paper Moon (1973), Jaws (1975), The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), Saturday Night Fever (1977), and Annie Hall (1977).

 

Marlon Brando as Mafia family head Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather.

 

Regan (Linda Blair) becomes possessed in The Exorcist. Creepy...

Food & Drink  

     The Food and Drug Administration warned that birth-control pills may produce blood clots. The FDA ordered the makers of baby food to have a nutritional label for the product. At the end of 1970, millions of tuna cans had to be recalled due to mercury contamination. As a part of the back-to-earth movement, the New Age farmers were obligated to organic farming, as the market for organic produce was expanding. 

     The late 1970s brought about the peak of underage drinking of ages 18 and younger. Also, obesity began to rise after this decade due to an increase in energy intake.

 

Print Culture 

In 1970, President Richard Nixon signs the Failing Newspaper Act, which allows local newspapers to share production facilities in the case that one paper is in financial trouble and the agreement does not prevent competition. The first issue of Essence is displayed at stands, its main audience was towards black women. In 1971, The Amsterdam News is sold for $2 million; it is the largest black newspaper. In 1974, People, publishes their first issue. The magazine talks of stars, the important doers, and ordinary men and women in extraordinary situations. In 1976, Marvel Comics publishes Howard the Duck, which soon becomes a huge hit.  In 1978 Jim Davis’s comic “Garfield” first appears in newspapers. Some books that came out in the 1970’s were:

• John W. Gardner, The Sunlight Dialogues

• Ira Levin, The Stepford Wives
• William Peter Blarty, The Exorcist
• E. L. Doctorow, The Book of Daniel
• James P. Donleavy, The Onion Eaters
• Cornelius Ryan, A Bridge Too Far
• John Updike, Buchanan Dying
• Irving Wallace, The Fan Club
• Ernest J. Gaines, In My Fathers House

 

 

 

Sports &  Games 

     During the 1970s, the US went to the Olympics in 1972 and won 93 medals, of which 33 were gold. Also, 9 Gold medals were won by the US men and women swimming teams. The 1976 Olympics won 94 medals, including 34 gold. In both Olympics the US came in second to the Soviet Union.

     In 1979, ESPN was launched by a cable company. Through the year, ESPN expanded to airing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

     Between the years 1975 and 1980, the Pittsburgh Steelers won four Super bowls. Football showed a 70% following among American sports fan. It had become America’s game. Along, with football, tennis became the “in” sport.

 

Music 

     Rock, pop, disco (catchy and erotic), punk rock (played at high speeds and volumes, and often incorporated ideas of violence, abandonment, and rebellion), country, soul, hard rock, and funk music (musical form that originated from the civil rights movement's ideal of black pride) were popular music genres.

     Singer-songwriter Marvin Gaye recorded his album, " What's Going On" in 1971; songs on this album dealt with a variety of issues, such as racism, the struggle for civil rights, the Vietnam War, and the environment. Many other black artists, such as Aretha Franklin, Curtis Mayfield and James Brown, looked up to him and began to identify with their heritage through music. They made a great political and cultural impact. Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" is about the Vietnam War. Marvin Gaye - What's Going On.mp3

     Also, many female artists communicated feminist ideas of independence and self-realiztion through their music. For example, Aretha Franklin's "Respect" and Helen Reddy's "I Am Woman."

     -->Popular artists of the time include Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Pink Floyd, KISS, Rolling Stones, Genesis, James Taylor} rock, Alice Cooper, Lynard Skynard, Black Sabbath} hard rock, Patti Smith, The Ramones} punk rock, Olivia Newton-John, John Denver} country, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye} soul, The Bee Gees, Donna Summer, ABBA} disco, The Carpenters, The Osmonds, Elton John, David Bowie} pop, Fleetwood Mac, and The Eagles} mellow music.

 

"The Way We Lived"

     Journalist Tom Wolfe called the 1970s "The Me Decade," refering to the fact that many Americans in the 70s had shyed away from the political/social issues they had tried to improve in the 60s, and instead focused more on themselves. Although, this can be justified; the slow economy made people shift their focus to protecting their families from financial problems. Marriage problems also led to higher divorce rates. People began accepting divorce as an option if one did not feel fufilled. However, feminism was ganing strength. Women helped improve equal opportunity in education/the workplace, and gained the right to choose abortion. Environmentalists also made an impact; Earth Day was frist held in 1970. There were also many fads: jogging, tanning, buying mood rings, streaking (...popular on college campuses), and buying pet rocks. Sexual openess continued; but it began decreasing with the increasing problem of STDs).

 

Government & Politics

     The 1970’s were dominated by the war in Vietnam. On February 20^th, 1970, secret talks between the United States and North Vietnam begin to end the Vietnam War.  The US and USSR also sign a nuclear non-proliferation treaty as well as the Seabed Arms Control Treaty, which bans the testing of nuclear weapons in the ocean. At the same time the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) begins operations. From May 1^st to 3^rd, 1971, 30,000 anti-war protestors flood Washington DC. Assistant Attorney General William Rehnquist declares marshal law, and 12,000 are arrested. Pres. Richard Nixon drops the trade embargo against China, and makes his historic visit in July of 1971. He also negotiates the SALT-1 treaty with the Soviet Union, and takes America off the gold standard. On May 15^th, 1972, presidential candidate Gov. George Wallace is shot, but survives (he will not win the election).

     On June 17^th, America is rocked by the Watergate scandal. Five men, including top White-House aides, are caught breaking into the Democratic National Committee Headquarters in the Watergate building.  Despite this, Richard Nixon defeats George McGovern and remains president, though the Democrats retain control of Congress. In January of 1973, they cut off funds for the Vietnam War and begin investigating the Watergate scandal. A cease-fire is declared in Vietnam by the end of the month. That year, Vice-President Agnew resigns pending corruption charges, and is replaced by Gerald Ford. Pending his impeachment trial, Pres. Nixon resigns on August 8, 1974 and is succeed by Gerald Ford. Pres. Ford pardons Nixon, but fails to get the economy under control. As the nation celebrates its bicentennial, Jimmy Carter is elected president. In 1977, he defers construction of the new, more destructive neutron bomb. He also extends formal recognition to the People’s Republic of China in 1979.

 

Law &  Justice 

     On May 15th, 1970, Harry Blackmun is selected to serve as a new Supreme Court Justice. That same year, the five men accused of incited the deadly riots during the 1968 Democratic National Convention are aquitted of the charge of coonspiring to cause a riot, but are convicted on the charge of crossing state lines to incit riot; these are eventually overturned in 1972. The Supreme Court also rules in 1970 that men who object to war on moral grounds cannot be drafted, and that families with children must recieve are hearing before they are forbidden to collect welfare. That same year, Pres. Nixon passes Organized Cirme Control Act, which gives police and prosecutors new powers, and allows them to sieze the assets of convicted mobsters. In 1971, Justices William Rehnquist and Lewis Powell join the Supreme Court, which rules that juveniles do not have the right to trial-by-jury, and the government cannot ban the publishing of documents on the conduct of the Vietnam War (the Pentagon Papers). Meanwhile, prisons in San Quentin, California and Attica, New York are wracked by riots and violence (42 inmates are killed in total).

     On the 17th of June, 1972, police arrest 5 men breaking into the Democratic National Comittee Headquarters inthe Watergate Hotel; this is the beginning of the Watergate Scandal. The Supreme Court also rules that all defendants are intitledto an attorney, and rule in Furman v. Georgia that the death penalty is unconsitutional excpet under extenuating circumstances.

     January 1973 is a landmark year for the Supreme Court; they uphold abortion in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Boulton. Thy also rule thatthe border patrol may no search cars without good reason, and that states may ban materials whcih they deem sexually obscene. Following thediscovery of tapes pertaining to Watergate in 1974,the Court orders President Nixon to turn over the tapes. He resigns, and is pardoned by incoming President Ford.

     In 1976, the Supreme Court oveturns Furman v. Georgia by ruling in Gregg v. Georgia that the death penalty does not violate the 8th or 14th Amendments. The Court also rules in Gilbert v. General Electirc that providing disability for male-only diseases, but not pregnancy, is not gender discirmination. The next year, they rule that states do not have to pay for abortions for the underprivilaged. In 1978, the Court decides that newspapers may be used in ciminal investigations and universtities may consider race when admitting students. That same year San Francisco Mayor Gorge Moscone and City Supervisor Harvey Milk are gunned down by Dan White for their support of gay rights. White is the first to use the "Twinkie Defence" at his trial. In 1979, with the furor over abortion still raging, the Supreme Court rules that any minor seeking an abortion must have parental consent, or the permission of a judge if the minor is unwilling or unable to receive consent. Later that year, they hold that no-one has the consitutional right to watch a court trial.  

 

Religion  

     In 1970, Right Reverend John M. Burgess became the first black bishop in the Episcopal Church. Then, in 1971, a synod of bishops, who met in Vatican City, reaffirmed celibacy for Roman Catholic religious orders. The black and white United Methodist Church had a meeting in South Carolina and agreed to merge. The Most Reverend Luis Aponte Martinez, archbishop of Puerto Rico, was nominated by Pope Paul VI to be a part of the College of Cardinals. He was the first Puerto Rican to be named cardinal. In 1974, four bishops of the Episcopal church defied church law by proclaiming eleven women into the priesthood. In 1979, Pope John Paul II visits the US, and becomes the first pope to meet the US president at the White House.

 

 

President Gerald R. Ford

 

 

Where he Lived:

Grand Rapids, MI

Website: Official White House Biography

 

Date of Birth:

July 14th, 1913 in Omaha, Nebraska

 

Date of Death:

December 26th, 2006, in Rancho Mirage, California

 

Political Views:

President Ford was a Republican, although he preferred to view himself as more of a moderate centerist. Ford promoted American involvement in international affairs, and the checking of Soviet expansion. He also wanted to cut social spending, and decrease the troop levels in Vietnam.

 

Religious Views:

Gerald Ford was an Episcopalian (a denomination of Protestantism).

 

Years Served as President:

1974-1977

Occupations:

Lieutenant Commander: United States Navy; Lawyer; Representative from Michigan; Chairman of the House Republican Confrence; House Minority Leader

 

Interests/Hobbies:

• The House of Representatives

• Republican Party

• The Assination of JFK

• Stamp-Collecting

• Bridge

 

Education:

• Univeristy of Michigan

• Yale Law School

• Annapolis Naval Academy

   

 

Friends:

• Nelson Rockefeller

• Richard Nixon

• Jerald ter Horst

• Philip A. Buchen

• Sen. Arthur Vandenburg (R) of Michigan

 

Sports:

• Golf

• Football (played in college)

• Skiing

• Swimming

  

 

During Ford's stint as president, the political, social and economic factors and challenges that he had to deal with at home included:

 

Political

• Gerald Ford's inauguration as president was under less than auspicious circumstances. His nomination as vice-president occured during the unfolding Watergate Scandal, as his predecessor, Spiro Agnew, resigned under pending corruption charges. Richard Nixon's dramatic resignation allowed President Ford to ascend to the nations highest office thanks to the 25th Amendmant, the only president to ever do so. Following his inaguration, Ford issued a full and unconditional pardon for former-President Nixon, exonorating him from any future prosecution and allowing him to keep potentially incriminating tapes and documents. Many believed this resulted from a "corrupt bargain" between Nixon and Ford; Ford having helped derail potential investigations by Congress of connections between the Watergate burglars and the White House. Following this, Ford's press secretary and friend, Jerald ter Horst, resigned and Ford's approval rating dropped 20%.    

• President Ford was also frequently at odds with Congress. While Ford was a staunch Republican, the Democrats held the majority. Ford disparaged much of social welfare legislation they tried to pass, and used his veto power more in his first three months than Nixon had in the previous 18 months. In response, Congress refused to support Ford's energy independence plan, his large tax cuts, and his increase in defense spending.

• Ford also had to master the increasing divisions in his own party. On the one hand, he was forced to deal with the far-right of the Republican Party, including Secretary of Defense James R. Schlisenger and California Governor Ronald Reagan. On the other side, there was the relatively liberal Vice-President Nelson Rockefeller. These all had to be balanced with holdovers from the Nixon administration, like White House Chief-of-Staff Alexander Haig. Although Ford generally sided with the moderate Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, he differed with Kissinger and CIA Director William Colby over the debacle in Angola.  

       

 

Social

• At a Chicago convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, in 1974, Ford promised he would create an amnesty program for young men who had illegally refused to serve in, or abandoned the military during the Vietnam War.

• Treatment of the returning soldiers of the Vietnam War was terrible. Anti-war protestors and others treated the homecoming soldiers with little respect by being spit on. The protestors blamed the war on the soldiers, as if it was the soldier's choice to go over at fight.

• Lack of trust in the government. Ford took office due to the Watergate Scandal which had led to the resignation of Ricard Nixon. With all of the TV channels (no more than 10 at the time), talking about the Watergate Scandal,  it was easy for people to begin to lose trust in their government.

• Drug culture was beginning to rise and the country was being introduced to a new world full of different kinds of drugs.

 

Economic

 

 

During Ford's stint as president, the political, social and economic factors and challenges that he had to deal with abroad included:

 

Political

• Beginning in April 1975, the communist North Vietnamese broke the cease-fire established by the Paris Peace Accords 1973. With all American troops already pulled out by President Nixon, South Vietnamese resistance collapsed and their governement had surrendered before the year was out. This necessitated a humiliating withdrawl and evacuation of the city of Saigon, although thousands of South Vietnamese supporters were left to their fate, despite President Ford's best attempts to provide military aid. Within months, Communist forces had taken control in the neighboring nations of Cambodia and Laos, further damaging American pride and prestige.

• President Ford's most significant foreign relations balancing act was between the United States and the Communist Bloc. Ford had to preserve the good relationship between the US and Soviet Union, that Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger helped build during his presidency. To do this, Ford allowed Kissinger to remain Secretary of State; this would help preserve the bond between the administrations' foreign policies. He also signed a number of nuclear missile reduction treaties and atomic weapon test bans. He also conducted a good-will tour behind the Iron Curtain to Romania, Poland, and the Soviet Union. Ford continued the process of opening China which began during Nixon's presidency as well. However, Ford failed to establish a friendly government in Angola, which fell to the Soviet and Cuban backed MPLA guerillas.

• Gerald Ford also had to wrestle with another perennial presidential problem; the Middle East. Ford offended many congressman through his continued military support for Turkey, even as Turkey invaded the American-friendly government in neighboring Cyprus. Ford also chose to continue support of Israel, even while supporting their arch-enemy neighbor, Egypt. President Ford also had to wrangle with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countires (OPEC), which had only recently lifted its embargo on the West. He tried to convince OPEC that more price increases would wreck the economy and financial system, but Libya, Kuwait, Venezuela, and Saudi Arabia (which controled 60% of OPEC production) continued to raise prices. Meanwhile, unrest in Lebanon, coupled with the assasination of the American ambassador in Beruit, prompted the evacuation 250 Americans by the Navy.   

 

Social

• In May of 1975, Cambodian communists seized the "Mayaguez" (an American merchant ship). Ford ordered the U.S. military to free the ship.
• At the "Conference of Security and Cooperation," held in Helsinki, Finland in 1975, the U.S., Soviet Union, and 33 other countries signed an agreement concerning Europe. The Soviet Union agreed to abide by the standards of human rights, such as the right to emigrate and the right of free expression, IF Western nations acknowledged the Soviet domination of Eastern Europe. This agreement was signed under Ford, though the US public disapproved.  

• Ford became the first (at that time, current) president to visit Japan. There, he met with the emperor and promised cooperation on problems of food supply and energy.

• Although congress did not satisfy Ford's requests to help South Vietnam (discussed under "Economic" below), Ford helped make sure 130,000 Vietnamese refugees were allowed into the U.S.

 

Economic

• Vietnam War (North Vietnam, supported by communist allies) fights for control of South Vietnam (supported by the U.S. and other members of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO--created to prevent further communist gains in Southeast Asia)). On April 10, 1975 Ford requested $722 million for emergency military aid, and $250 million for economic and humanitarian aid to S. Vietnam. However, at this time the Communist Khmer Rogue forces were taking over the Cambodian capital of Phnom Phen, and by the 30th, N. Vietnam had captured S. Vietnam's capital, Saigon. Ford did not get his requests.

• Ford also  tried to prevent a new war in the Middle East. He provided aid to Israel and Egypt; because of this, these two countries accepted an interim (for a limited time) agreement.

• 

 

Looking back at Ford's presidential career, he had to wear several "hats."  Wearing these different "hats," these were his most significant achievements and failures:

 

Commander-in-Chief

     During Ford's tenure, America's ally in Southeast Asia, South Vietnam, came under attack when it's hostile, communist neighbor, North Vietnam, violated an armistice and launched a premeptive invasion. Ford called on Congress to provide $720 million in military and $250 million in economic and humanitarian aid to the beleagured nation, but Congress was not forthcoming. So Ford orchestrated the mass evacuation of Americans and South Vietnamese from the capital of Siagon, but many hundred-thousands were left behind to their own fate.

 

Chief Executive

     As president, Ford held the power to approve, as well as veto bills. However, some of his vetoes were overridden. For example, Ford vetoed a "Veterans' Education Bill," but Congress overrode it. However, when Congress tried to pass a bill regulating strip-mining, Ford pocket-vetoed it by refusing to sign the bill. Congress didn't have any opportunities to undo his action. In Ford's first 3 months of presidency, he had vetoed more bills than Nixon had in 18 months. He had only won 58.2% of the congressional votes on which he had taken a position on; this is a very low level of support.

 

Chief Diplomat

     Ford continued President Nixon’s work in foreign affairs and become the United States’ first incumbent president to travel to Japan , pursue favorable trade agreements, make goodwill trips to other countries, and continue arms control talks. Ford and his Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s travels to other countries came to be known as “shuttle diplomacy.” Later, in the Helsinki agreement, Ford formally recognized the Communist countries’ legitimacy by signing the agreement. By doing so, Ford hoped to move past border disputes and expand the flow of ideas and diplomatic agreements. However, the U.S. public did not agree with Ford and believed that by recognizing postwar boundaries as valid was a sellout to the Communists and a withdrawl from democratic ideals.

 

Ceremonial Head of State

     President Ford's term in office also coincided with the nations bicentennial. He served as master of cerrmonies at numerous social events across the country to honor the United States' 200th anniversary. After the tumult and uncertianty of Watergate and the Vietnam War, the bicentennial served a sort of healing, allowing the nation to come together, as Ford envisioned it should.

 

Manager of the Economy

     As Manager of the Economy, President Ford had a difficult time keeping things up and running. During his presidency, inflation was high and the ideas proposed and voluntary programs created did not help decrease inflation by much. Another aspect of Manager of the Economy is keeping unemployment rates low, which Ford was unable to do. As the economy worsened, major industries began laying off workers causing the unemployment rates to jump. He was unable to decrease these rates as well.

 

Party Leader

     President Ford had a particularly tough time keeping the Republican party together. He had inherited a legeacy from the Nixon administration, and found it difficult to shake off charges of courruption and cronyism. Ford also had to balance between the more conservative elements within the Republicans, such as Gov. Ronald Reagan, and the more progressive elements, such as Vice-President Nelson Rockefeller.  

 

National Leader

      As president, he did not only have the responsibility of governing; he also had the responsibility of leading America. And lead, he did. Gerald Ford's decision to pardon Nixon after the Watergate Scandal (Nixon was involved in plot to rob several documents from the Watergate apartment/office complex of the Democratic party headquarters) was received negatively by Americans. Although, he had done this in the best interest of the nation, as he later explains with, "I wanted to do all I could to shift our attentions from the pursuit of a fallen President to the pursuit of the urgent needs of a rising nation. It was time to...go on with the nation's business."

 

 

Favorite Quotes About Gerald Ford:

 

"For myself and for our Nation, I want to thank my predecessor for all he has done to heal our land."- President Jimmy Carter about his predecessor at his inaguration

 

"When the nation's end men begin to treat a serious politician as a joke, he is through"-Tom Braden

 

"A loser, a  bumbler, a misfit President  who for some reason or other... was prone to slip on airplane ramps, bump his head on helicopter entrances, entangle himself in the leashes of his familly dogs, and fall from skis in front of television cameras that showed him apsrawl in the snow"-John Osbourne

 

   

Ford's Inuaguration Speech 

Ford's address on his energy policy 

Ford pardoning Nixon after the Watergate Scandal.

 

 

Positive Political Cartoon

 

Negative Political Cartoon

 

 

MYP Unit Question: How can the contributions of one person affect the direction of an entire nation? 

Guiding Question: How did Culture and the Role of the President Shape Post-WWII America?

 

          The 1970s was a decade in which great advances were made in civil rights, women's rights, and environmental awareness. Concerns like these not only improved the lives of many, but also provided inspiration for the music, entertainment, fashion, and literature created. However, political scandals such as the Watergate Scandal greatly damaged Americans' trust in the government. With this scandal and Nixon's resignation, America began to lose faith in the president and the government's ability to function properly. Nonetheless, Gerald Ford stepped in and accepted the role of President of the United States. Though he was never able to escape the taint of Watergate, and while his pardon of Nixon restored some of the executive office's presitge, there were always questions about how much Ford knew about the scandal.

          Many of Ford's policies were also shaped by the culture of the 1970s. So great was American national conscience's distaste for anything involving the Vietnam War, that Ford was unable to secure the backing he needed to save South Vietnam. The American public's supicion of the Nixon administration, fueled by print and news media, meant that Ford was constantly fighting an up-hill battle with both the Democrat-controlled Congress, and the American people. The terrible economic conditions resulting from oil embargo's by OPEC, meant Ford had to bring prosperity back to the nation. He tried nonetheless to country back to its original status and condition, but was unable to do so due to the recession in that decade. While Ford was entering office, inflation was increasing and unemployment rates were soaring, which he tried his best to lower. In many ways, it was not so much Gerald Ford who defined the decade, but the decade that defined Gerald Ford. 

          In his 1974 speech pardoning Nixon's involvement in the Watergate Scandal, he states, "My conscience tells me clearly and certainly that I cannot prolong the bad dreams that continue to reopen a chapter that is closed. My conscience tells me that only I, as President, have the constitutional power to firmly shut and seal this book. I cannot rely upon public opinion polls to tell me what is right." Despite the criticism he knew he would receive from many Americans, Ford felt it was in the nation's best interest to move on from the Watergate Scandal, an unfortunate event that could not be changed. He wanted to leave it in the past. Americans were obsessed with this scandal. Because of this presidential pardon, people became suspicious of his degree of involvement in the scandal; in fact, his approval ratings fell dramatically from 71% to 49% in the first week after the pardon. Nevertheless, his pardon influenced many Americans to shift their focus to issues that could be changed, and helped the nation move forward.

          Neither the American people, nor President Ford could have done without one another in this extraordinary decade. It was because of opinionated Americans, as well as President Ford's desire to move forward, that our nation was able to overcome adversity, and make great strides in women's rights, civil rights, and even environmental awareness.

 

Works Cited:

 

"Law and Justice: Important Events of the 1970s." American Decades. Ed. Vincent Tompkins. Vol. 8: 1970-1979. Detroit: Gale, 2001. 

 

"Media: Important Events of the 1970s." American Decades. Ed. Vincent Tompkins. Vol. 8: 1970-1979. 

 

"The Gerald R. Ford Administration." Presidential Administration Profiles for Students. Online Edition. Gale Group, 2002.

Parmet, Herbert S. "Ford, Gerald R." Presidents: A Reference History. Ed. Henry F. Graff. Vol. 1. 3rd ed. Detroit: Charles Scribner's Sons, 2002. 

 

"Increased food intake alone explains the increase in body weight in the United States.(Report)." NewsRx Health & Science (May 31, 2009): 65. Health Reference Center Academic. Gale. 

  

"Youth Drinking Trends Stabilize, Consumption Remains High." National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) .

14 Sep 2004. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 15 Jun 2009.