Evaluate the domestic policies of Nixon and Ford.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the domestic policies, weighing up the strengths and limitations, of Nixon and Ford. Candidates may refer to Nixon’s domestic program known as New Federalism, which advocated transferring some federal responsibilities to the states. Very little of this was actually done. Nixon had to deal with economic problems, environmental concerns, a divided country and social programs. He instituted wage and price controls, but inflation and unemployment both grew. Candidates may refer to Nixon’s impact on the environment, by creating the Environmental Protection Agency and passing the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts. Spending for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid all increased under Nixon. Regarding civil rights, integration in public schools increased under Nixon, though he allowed states to regulate their progress. Candidates may refer to his four Supreme Court appointments, which made the Court much more conservative, as a lasting legacy. Ford’s domestic policies are quite limited due to his two-year presidency. He struggled to improve the economy by instituting the Whip Inflation Now program and later enacted a tax cut. Ford attempted to move the nation beyond Nixon, Watergate and Vietnam, but was mostly ineffective. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The evaluation of the domestic policies of Nixon and Ford was addressed by few candidates. Answers were largely descriptive with limited evaluation; there was some imbalance (as expected) in the treatment of Nixon and Ford; none exhibited in-depth knowledge on domestic policies.