The 1970s: America at 200

1. The 1970s:America at 200 U.S. History II

2. Bicentennial Malaise • Bicentennial celebrations caused reflection on current situation • Current political leaders didn’t compare favorably to Founding Fathers • Revisionist historians portrayed Founding Fathers as racist, sexist, self-serving tax cheats • Founding Fathers’ vision of America seemed to have been lost: • Believed in need for virtuous, educated citizenry & distrusted democracy • Believed political leaders should be disinterested • Believed “that government is best which governs least”

3. Rise of Suburbs & Fall of Cities • 4 distinguishing features of U.S. suburban domination: • Low residential density & absence of sharp city-country divide • Americans have strong penchant for owning homes, coupled with Arcadian myth • Wealth & status associated with periphery, not center • Average commute growing ever longer • Decentralization created vicious cycle: • Jobs followed people, attracting more people • Cities left with poorer residents & declining tax base • Raising taxes further drove away middle class & businesses

4. Deindustrialization in the Northeast & Midwest • Sunbelt growing due to lower labor costs, cheaper land, gov’t incentives & less regulation • Switch from locally-owned businesses to multi-national corporations • In 19th century “civic capitalism,” owners & workers had common stake in communities • In 20th century “global capitalism,” distant owners have no stake in communities • Decline of economic opportunities created sharper competition among white & black working class • “Urban renewal” was dismal failure

5. Ford Sworn in as President

6. Ford’s Presidency (1974-1977) • Became Vice President Dec. 6, 1973 after Agnew’s resignation • 25th Amendment (1967) allowed President to appoint Vice President if vacant, subject to Senate confirmation • Ford would similarly appoint N.Y. Gov. Nelson Rockefeller Vice President (Dec. 19, 1974) • Became President Aug. 9, 1974 after Nixon’s resignation • Sept. 1974 pardon of Nixon very unpopular - raised accusations of a deal • House & Senate investigations revealed CIA abuses, so George Bush brought in to clean up the agency • 1975 Helsinki Accords formally ratified post-WWII boundaries in Europe

7. Ford, Cheney & Rumsfeld

8. Ford’s Would-Be Assassins Sara Jane Moore Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme

9. 1976 Election • Ford survived strong challenge from conservative Ronald Reagan & chose Kansas Sen. Robert Dole as running mate • Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter ran as outsider who would restore honesty & integrity to gov’t

10. Jimmy Carter (1977-1981) • Fought stagflation in contradictory ways: • 1977: $34 billion tax cut & $14 billion in public works. • 1979: tightened money supply & decreased spending. • Deregulated airlines, banking, trucking & railroads • 1978 Energy Act penalized gas-guzzling cars & promoted R & D on alternative fuels Jimmy, Amy & Rosalyn Carter walking in the Inaugural Parade, 1977

11. Human Rights in Foreign Policy • 1977 treaty returned control of Canal to Panama in 1999 • Sept. 1978: Carter negotiates peace agreement between Israel and Egypt - Camp David Accords signed in March 1979 • SALT II signed, but never ratified by Senate • Boycotted 1980 Moscow Olympics & cut of grain sales to protest Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

12. Carter & Secretary of State Cyrus Vance

13. Iranian Hostage Crisis • Iranian Revolution (1979): • Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi forced into exile by Islamic radicals led by Ayatollah Khomeini • Carter allowed Shah to enter U.S. for medical treatment • Nov. 4, 1979: U.S. embassy in Tehran taken over by Iranian revolutionaries • 52 Hostages held until Jan. 1981 • Carter froze all Iranian assets & began negotiations • Military botched rescue attempt • Crisis became focal point for all frustration Ayatollah Khomeini