University of Michigan
Political Science 320 - The American Chief Executive
Suggested Paper Topics For
On-Site Research on Ford Presidency, 1974-77
Note: Feel free to contact the Library if there are other topics that interest you. On some topics, the Ford Digital Presidential Library can supplement your on-site research.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS/NATIONAL SECURITY
- The Fall of Saigon and the End of the Vietnam Conflict
- The Sinai Disengagement Accords (Egypt/Israel)
- OPEC - Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
- Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, USSR Relations and Ford’s trip to Vladivostok
- Helsinki Accords (International Human Rights Issues and the Beginning of the End of the Cold War)
- U.S. Policy and Southern Africa’s White Regimes
- Investigation of the Intelligence Community and Reform of the CIA
- International Economic Summits
- Korean Tree Incident (North Korean attack in the neutral zone)
- Mayaguez Incident (Khmer Rouge seize a US merchant ship and crew)
- Lebanese Civil War Outbreak
- Afghanistan’s Ties to the U.S.
- Presidential Visit to Japan (First U.S. President to visit that country)
- Presidential Visit to China
- U.S. diplomatic relations with (name of any country).
EAST WING: FIRST LADY
- The Impact of the First Lady
- Mrs. Ford and Breast Cancer
- Anatomy of a State Dinner – How Do You Entertain the Queen of England?
EXECUTIVE POWERS AND WHITE HOUSE OPERATIONS
- The 1974 Presidential Transition – Nixon resigns/Ford becomes President
- White House Chief of Staff
- The State of the Union Address (1975 or 1976)
- Presidential Cabinet Meetings
- Presidential Appointments
- Appointment of Attorney General Levi
- Appointment of Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens
DOMESTIC POLICY
- Combating Terrorism (LaGuardia Airport Terrorist Bombing)
- Whip Inflation Now (WIN)
- New York City Fiscal Crisis (Ford to NY, “Drop Dead!)
- American Revolution Bicentennial
- Federal Swine Flu Immunization Program(1975)
- Equal Rights Amendment
- Title IX (Sex Discrimination in Educational Institutions)
- Illegal Immigration
- Energy Independence Authority
POLITICS
- Campaign Advertising
- Presidential Campaign Debates
- New Hampshire Primary ’76 (The Reagan Challenge)