Question

Why did President Ford pardon former President Nixon?

Answer 1

To stop the rot spreading.

Explanation:

Given what had been revealed during Watergate Nixon resigned in return for a full pardon which he received from Ford immediately. This was seen as an attempt to draw the line under Watergate and to some extent it did.

However an analysis of Watergate and the whole style of Nixon's campaigns and governance reveals a paranoiac view of the world on his behalf, reflected in policies such as phone tapping, the illegal bombing of Cambodia and a siege mentality in the White House.