Week 29 : Week 29 Ford’s Integrity
How did Ford become president, and what were some of the obstacles that he faced from the start of his presidency? (T1) : How did Ford become president, and what were some of the obstacles that he faced from the start of his presidency? (T1) Ford replaced Vice President Spiro Agnew after he resigned from office. Agnew had resigned under allegations of bribery. Ford’s popularity dropped sharply after he pardoned Nixon for all federal crimes committed during his presidency Although Ford was viewed as being an honest president and having integrity, his popularity continued to decrease during his presidency
Obstacles that faced Ford: : Obstacles that faced Ford: The nation was in a recession
Increasing inflation
High unemployment
Major defeat as Vietnam war ended with a Communist victory
Just for fun!! Bits of trivia…. : Just for fun!! Bits of trivia…. What was the name of Gerald Ford’s Dog? Gerald Ford was the __th Pres. of the US. Liberty 38
Just two more for you….. : Just two more for you….. Ford is pictured in the picture on the right. He boasted of being the first Vice President to have been this….
What was another first for Vice President Ford (clue, it was the first time a VP had gained this position in this manner)… Eagle Scout First Vice President to be appointed to the office
What were some important events, both foreign and domestic, during Ford’s brief presidency? (A1) : What were some important events, both foreign and domestic, during Ford’s brief presidency? (A1) Foreign Affairs: China and the Soviet Union With the help of Secretary of
State Henry Kissinger, Ford
continued to build relations
with these two countries.
He negotiated the important Helsinki Accords (agreements about national sovereignty, territorial boundaries, and human rights issues)
Vietnam and the Middle East : Vietnam and the Middle East Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) formed The results were long lines at the gas pumps
Rise in cost of manufactured goods
Rise in the cost of living
What else would the price of oil effect? America at the mercy of the oil producing countries that were retaliating for America’s support or Israel during a recent conflict
Operation Thunderbolt : Operation Thunderbolt Israel strikes back In 1976, an Air France jet traveling to Uganda is hijacked. The Jewish passengers are separated from the non-Jewish passengers.
Elite Israeli units stormed the airport and confronted the hijackers, an Israeli soldier was killed, but the hostages were rescued.
Domestic Affairs : Domestic Affairs The U.S. economy was shaky, with the worst unemployment figures since the end of the Great Depression. The country was also experiencing rising prices without rising wages. This combination was unusual, Ford was trying to deal with this by different approaches. What was this combination called? Ford offered amnesty to Vietnam War draft dodgers, in return for two years of community service
What suggests that Americans were feeling unpatriotic and unenthusiastic during Ford’s presidency? (T2) : What suggests that Americans were feeling unpatriotic and unenthusiastic during Ford’s presidency? (T2) America celebrated 200 years of independence- the Bicentennial. Some say the people were not enthusiastic. The OPEC embargo affected Americans. The power in the Middle East seemed to show America vulnerable. Many American’s felt ashamed of their nation’s actions in Vietnam. Many veterans felt shunned and had a hard time adjusting to life after the war.
Why were the countries surrounding the Persian Gulf increasingly considered one of the most important regions of the world? (A2) : Why were the countries surrounding the Persian Gulf increasingly considered one of the most important regions of the world? (A2) Countries along the coastline (Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia) are believed to control more than half of the world’s oil reserves.
Saudi Arabia alone is believed to hold 25% of world’s oil reserves
Petroleum is essential to modern economies, with a high demand. This makes them influential internationally. Oil
Political Issues : Political Issues Many powerful nations have tried to control and influence this region.
Saudi Arabia and the United States entered a mutually beneficial relationship beginning in 1945.
The Middle East is a politically troubled region, especially since 1948 after the U.S. support of Israel.
Soviet and Chinese influence increased during the 1970s
The Twin Strategy was formed to increase Iranian and Saudi Arabian power to stand against the Communist threat.
Religious History : Religious History Most of the people in this region are followers of Islam. There are different divisions, or sects, of this religion, mainly the Sunni or Shiabranchesk.
The Saudi Arabian government claims to be the guardian of most of the religious and holy sites of the Islamic faith. Most of it’s people practice the conservative form of Sunni Islam.
What was the purpose of The White Revolution in Iran? Why was there significant opposition to the Shah’s reforms during the 1960’s? (T3) : What was the purpose of The White Revolution in Iran? Why was there significant opposition to the Shah’s reforms during the 1960’s? (T3) Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran began the White Revolution to modernize his country.
Programs in land reforms, women’s rights, and education were intended to increase economic and global power.
The Shia branch of Islam opposed the Revolution with it’s leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini speaking out against the Shah. He was arrested and sent to Turkey.
Mao Zedong: What challenges did he face as he sought to choose a successor? ( A3) : Mao Zedong: What challenges did he face as he sought to choose a successor? ( A3) Mao was old and weak.
There was a power struggle within the government and those closest to him.
What was the Gang of Four and why were they significant?
What event made the power struggle in China even more of an issue in 1976? : What event made the power struggle in China even more of an issue in 1976? A major earthquake devastated Tangshan killing an estimated 240,000 people and injuring 164,000.
Those who wanted power, such as Mao’s wife used this situation to promote their agendas.
Many were worried and uneasy that they were seeing and hearing less from Mao.
While Mao was primarily and political figure, as a man what was Mao like? (A3) : While Mao was primarily and political figure, as a man what was Mao like? (A3) Only those in his inner circle knew Mao for who he really was.
He lived quite differently from the type of living that he promoted, living in luxury and indulgence.
He refused to take baths or brush his teeth (double yuck!)
Suffered deteriorating health (failing eyesight, heart problems, and Lou Gehrig’s disease.
He became increasingly paranoid.
Can you name any other powerful men that became paranoid? : Can you name any other powerful men that became paranoid? Hitler and Stalin
Who took over power after Mao’s death, and what were the consequences? (A4) : Who took over power after Mao’s death, and what were the consequences? (A4) HuaGuofeng became Premier and took over the CCP. He began to purge those that opposed him.
He had the Gang of Four arrested, and imprisoned, including Mao’s wife. They never regained their power. The Gang of Four
Let’s wrap it up…. : Let’s wrap it up…. Proverbs 21:1
Luke 1:52
Mark 8:34-8