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)