Original PromptSHOULD FORD PARDON NIXON? Make a 5th grade version
US History/Mr. Pellegrino
Watergate was an extremely controversial period in our nation’s history. It lasted over two years, and was the most serious political scandal up to that point in modern American history.
But President Nixon’s resignation did not put an end to the controversy. Nixon’s vice president, Gerald Ford, became president, and very quickly a new question gripped the American public:
Should President Ford pardon Richard N...
This learning resource focuses on the historical context surrounding President Gerald Ford's decision to pardon Richard Nixon in 1974 after the Watergate scandal. It guides students through analyzing key historical evidence and understanding the implications of a presidential pardon. The material includes background information on the political climate of the time, Ford's concerns about the potential ramifications of a lengthy trial on national unity and Nixon's health, and presents questions that encourage critical thinking about the decision-making process and its consequences. Students are also tasked with constructing a reasoned argument based on their analyses, evaluating both sides of the pardon decision and making a recommendation to President Ford based on textual evidence.