State Historical Society of Iowa

"Draft of National Security Speech," March 27, 1976

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Courtesy of Ford Presidential Library, "Draft of National Security Speech," March 27, 1976

Description

This source is a draft of a speech dated a few months before President Ford would accept the Republican presidential nomination. The speech came at a time following Nixon's resignation and failure to gain traction in the passage of the SALT II treaty. Prior to this time period the US and Soviet Union had entered into a period of détente, an easing of hostility. However, after 1975 an increase in hostility returned to the US and Soviet relationship.

Transcript coming soon.

Source Dependent Questions

  • What argument does President Ford give for the increased military spending? Based on this argument, what role do you think he felt the military played in winning a war of ideals?
  • How was this similar to his previous speech calling for "peace through strength"?
  • How did President Ford characterize the Soviet Union in his speech? What other sources agreed with this characterization?
  • Review the image protesting military spending, what arguments did President Ford make to overcome this perception of waste at home?

Citation Information

Ford, Gerald, "Draft of National Security Speech," March 27, 1976. Courtesy of the Ford Presidential Library Courtesy of Library of Congress