A Captive President: Gerald Ford’s Presidency and the Fall of Saigon by Jacob Sahr

A Captive President: Gerald Ford’s Presidency and the Fall of Saigon by Jacob Sahr

History

Gerald Ford, the President of the United States starting in 1974 and extending through the fall of Saigon, reasonably should have had the ability to exercise his constitutional foreign policy powers. By exercising his foreign policy powers, Ford seemingly should have been able to project and implement his foreign policy ambitions that would prevent Saigon's fall, especially after considering that other presidents, such as the policies that Nixon implemented prior to Ford - which will be discussed in this analysis, have had considerable traction implementing policies and doctrines. Although Gerald Ford took presidency after Nixon's resignation, Gerald Ford was not afforded the ability to prevent South Vietnam's collapse to communism, despite the great sacrifice and investment America made over the decades of involvement in South Vietnam. This is an intriguing phenomenon begging the American public to question the extent of the role America and its presidents played in Saigon's fall - and South Vietnam's loss to communism. Ultimately, President Ford was constrained by the combination of Richard Nixon's previous policies and congressional action and apathy, which were further amplified by South Vietnam's military failures, which together prevented him from implementing more aggressive policies in support of South Vietnam.

Sahr, Jacob

Senior Showcase Oral presentation

Ripon College

April 19, 2016

The author reserves all rights.

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Majors: Politics and Government, History Minor: Military Science

Menasha, WI

HIS 490 - Senior Seminar