Nixon, Ford, Carter Quiz

How did détente represent a new direction in U.S. foreign policy?

• Détente represented the first time since World War II that the U.S. entered the global arena.

• Nixon forced the U.S. to admit defeat in the Cold War and open negotiations with China.

• Rather than maintaining the defense of U.S. allies, Nixon offered economic aid.

• Instead of fighting communism openly, Nixon focused on negotiations with Communist countries.

“We must go forward now together. . . .I believe that truth is the glue that holds government together, not only our Government but civilization itself. That bond, though strained, is unbroken at home and abroad. In all my public and private acts as your President, I expect to follow my instincts of openness and candor with full confidence that honesty is always the best policy in the end. My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over.”

—Gerald Ford, August 9, 1974

Why do you think Ford made this speech immediately after gaining the presidency?

• Nixon’s scandal shook the public’s trust in government.

• Ford faced criticism for pardoning Nixon.

• Newspaper were not covering economic issues.

• Ford needed to successfully fight inflation.

What critical event affected both the Ford and Carter presidencies?

• Watergate

• the energy crisis

• Iran hostage crisis

• rise of Sandinistas in Nicaragua

The secret documents detailing the history of American involvement in Vietnam, which were obtained by Daniel Ellsberg and later printed by the new York Times, were known as the

• Watergate tapes

• Nixon memoranda

• Pentagon Papers

• Warren Report

President Gerald Ford lost the most support from the American public for

• allowing the fall of South Vietnam to the Communists

• his ineffective WIN campaign against inflation

• becoming the first unelected president of the United States

• his pardon of Richard Nixon

What is the main idea of this cartoon from the Watergate era?

• The Supreme Court presides over a presidential impeachment trial.

• Congress has to obey the Constitution.

• The president has the final word involving constitutional issues.

• No person or group is above the law.

The combination of high inflation with a stagnant economy and high unemployment was referred to as

• stagflation

• demand-side economics

• a depression

• Keynesianism

What was the purpose of the Camp David Accords led by President Carter?

• to broker peace between Egypt and Israel

• to end the Iranian hostage crisis

• to maintain good relations with the Shah

• to find a way to end the economic recession

What was a result of Nixon’s resignation?

• Spiro Agnew became president of the United States.

• Nixon was put on trial for his crimes at the United Nations.

• Americans questioned the system of checks and balances.

• Many Americans lost trust in government officials.

What incident on the morning of June 17, 1972, began the Watergate scandal?

• Five men broke into the Democratic National Committee headquarters.

• Bob Woodward published his book, All the President's Men.

• The CIA became embroiled in a massive cover-up.

• President Nixon resigned from office.