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The Ford and Carter Years 1974-1980

The Ford and Carter Years 1974-1980. Gerald Ford 1974-1977. “ Our national nightmare is over ” Nixon Pardon – approval drops 22% Free-market: 66 vetoes Dem Congress Stagflation: Recession & Inflation grew

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The Ford and Carter Years 1974-1980

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  1. The Ford and Carter Years1974-1980

  2. Gerald Ford 1974-1977 • “Our national nightmare is over” • Nixon Pardon – approval drops 22% • Free-market: 66 vetoes Dem Congress • Stagflation: Recession & Inflation grew • WIN – Whip Inflation Now! - Cut spending, urged higher interest rates - recession worse • Fall of Saigon April 1975 – no intervention • Helsinki Accords - continued détente – criticized by conservatives in U.S.

  3. Jimmy Carter defeats Ford (who narrowly edged Reagan for nomination) • Democrats gain large control of Congress

  4. Energy & Economy • Urged conservation • Pressured by automobile and gas co’s • Developed the National Energy Act • Taxed “gas guzzlers” • Gave tax credits for alternative energy research • Nuclear Power until Three Mile Island incident in ‘79 • OPEC raises prices again in ’79 – Energy Crisis • By 1980 – inflation climbed to 13%

  5. Shift in Focus of Foreign Policy • Carter a “Wilsonian Moralist” focused on Humans Rights • Rejected “Realpolitik” Cut off aid to dictators Argentina and Chile • Agreed to return the Panama Canal to Panama on 12/31/99 • Camp David Accords (1978) • mediated peace agreements between Egypt (Sadat) and Israel (Begin) • Israel returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt • Egypt recognized Israel’s right to exist

  6. Iranian Revolution & Hostage Crisis • 1979 – Iranians rebelled against the Shah (installed w/ help of CIA in 1950s) • Ayatollah Khomeini led revolution returned from exile • Iran would impose strict Sharia Law • Carter allowed the Shah to be treated in NY for cancer • Hostage Crisis: November 4, 1979 – students raided the US embassy in Tehran - lasted 444 days - Demanded the return of the Shah for 52 US hostages – Carter No • Operation Eagle Claw – April 1980 Delta Force failed operation to rescue hostages, 8 Americans killed – Carter’s approval down to 40%

  7. Cold War Heats Up Again • December 1979 – USSR invades Afghanistan • Carter: • Cancels SALT II • Cancels Wheat deal • Increases defense spending • Boycott of 1980 Moscow Olympics

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