Gerald Ford

Republican congressman in for Grand Rapids Michigan,
eventually became senate minority leader

Part of the Warren Commission that investigated JFK's death

Instead of facing an impeachment trial for the Watergate
scandal, Nixon resigns the presidency, thrusting Ford into the
role

As one of his first acts as president he pardoned Nixon for any crimes he may have committed as president, which caused
major backlash from the public and politicians

Whip Inflation Now (WIN) failed and the country fell into the
worst recession it had seen since the 1930s

Had troubles with congress as it was mainly democratic,
vetoed many bills passed by congress

Said that government imposed gas rationing was unworkable

Nixon's original Vice-President was Spiro Agnew, who had to resign because of a scandal

Nixon chose Ford after Agnew's resignation, and he was eventually confirmed by the senate

Promised to continue the foreign policies implemented by
Nixon

He could not convince congress to send more aid to South
Vietnam so the country fell to North Vietnam

Helped ease tensions with the Soviet Union by signing the
Helsinki Accords