Ford, Carter

1. Ford, Carter (1974-1981) By: Mr. Charles Edits by: Mr. Groh

2. Section 1: The Ford Administration • Ford faced the difficult task of restoring the public’s confidence in the government.

3. Gerald Ford • Popular football star from University of Michigan; won national championships in 1932 & 33. • Served in the navy during WWII • Served in the House of Representatives, becoming Minority leader in 1965. • Hard worker, appeared honest and self-reliant.

4. Recovery from Watergate • Ford recognized his greatest challenge would be winning back society’s faith in government. • “The years of suspicion and scandal that had culminated in Nixon’s resignation had demoralized our people. They had lost faith in their elected leaders and in their institutions. I knew that unless I did something to restore their trust, I couldn’t win their consent to do anything else.” –Gerald Ford

5. Nixon Pardoned • One month after Ford became President, he pardoned Nixon for “all offenses” he might have committed. • The pardon angered many. • Some suspected a bargain between the two had been made. • Many Nixon staffers faced jail time, as he walked free.

6. Recession • Months of preoccupation with Watergate distracted Nixon from economic recession. • In 1974, inflation was 11 percent and unemployment 7 percent. • High unemployment and inflation = stagflation

7. Conflict with Congress • Ford believed in limited government • Democratic-controlled Congress wanted increased government programs and spending. • Ford frequently vetoed bills to fund new programs, and Congress frequently overrode the vetoes.

8. South Vietnam Falls • In 1975, as South Vietnam seemed about to fall, Ford asked for military aid to help. • Congress rejected based on the War Power Act, passed in 1973 • War Powers Act stated that President can’t commit troops without Congressional approval.

9. Evacuation • Ford did agree to send an American airlift to evacuate thousands of Americans and Vietnamese from Saigon.

10. Helsinki Accords • President Ford signed the Helsinki Accords in 1975. • The U.S., Canada, Soviet Union, and 30 European countries pledge to cooperate economically, respect national boundaries, and promote human rights. • Ford also continued Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) with the Soviet Union.

11. Bicentennial • On July 4, 1976, there was a nationwide celebration for the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. • There were huge parades, concerts, air shows, and fireworks throughout the country.

12. Section 2: Carter Administration • Jimmy Carter had strong ideals but had difficulty implementing them in Washington. Ultimately, his presidency was tainted by a hostage situation in Iran.

13. Jimmy Carter • Carter was a southerner; came from a family of peanut farmers in rural Georgia. • He worked the family business before entering politics and becoming the governor of Georgia in 1970. • A born-again Baptist, deeply religious

14. Carter • He and his family shunned the status symbols of the presidency; limousines, trumpeted entrances. • Society liked his lack of connections in Washington after the corruption of Nixon.

15. The Economy • His lack of Washington experience hurt him in office and he struggled to pass legislation. • When he cut federal spending to stop inflation, unemployment increased and he angered liberal democrats by cutting social programs.

16. Energy • OPEC steadily raised prices throughout the 70s and Carter believed major energy conservation was necessary. • In 1978 he passed the National Energy Act • Tax sales of inefficient, “gas guzzling,” cars. • Use fuels other than oil or natural gas for utilities. • Provide tax credits to homeowners using solar energy or insulation. • Fund research for alternative energy sources.

17. Three Mile Island • Nuclear power seemed a promising alternative energy. • In 1979, TMI, near Harrisburg, PA, had a partial meltdown. • Over 140,000 people fled their homes. • The story shocked the world and greatly diminished the push for nuclear power.

18. Civil Rights • Carter granted amnesty, pardon, to those who had evaded the draft during Vietnam. • Carter’s staff included many more women and minorities than former administrations.

19. Camp David Accords • In 1977, Egypt’s President went to negotiate with Israel’s Prime Minister. • The two had major conflicts and had problems compromising. • Carter invited them both to Camp David to talk things out. • Carter demonstrated diplomacy and peacemaking by mediating peace terms.

20. Camp David Accords • Under a new treaty, the Camp David Accords… • Israel would withdraw from the Sinai peninsula. • Egypt would become the first Arab country to recognize Israel’s existence.

21. Soviet Relations • Carter supported Soviet dissidents, critics of government, and believed they had the right to speak out. • This angered Soviet leaders, leading to tension.

22. Soviets invade Afghanistan • In 1979, Carter and Brezhnev signed SALT II. • Within months, the USSR invaded Afghanistan to support a government they backed. • The U.S. and U.N. both issued warnings to the Soviets, imposed embargos on goods, and boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. • Détente was over.

23. Iran Hostage Crisis • In 1979, Iran had a revolution and became an Islamic theocracy- ruled by religious leaders. • The U.S. had supported the former king of Iran who was a pro-West, modernizing force. • He was replaced by an Islamic leader, the Ayatollah Khomeini.

24. Iran Hostage Crisis • The new Iranian theocracy was a strict Islamic state, and opposed to the U.S. • In November, 1979, Iranians seized the American embassy and took American embassy workers hostage. • For 444 days, 52 embassy workers were taken hostage.

25. Iran Hostage Crisis • Americans were impatient for the hostages’ release. • Carter tried cutting off Iranian assets in the U.S. • Tried a rescue mission that failed, two aircraft collided and killed 8 U.S. soldiers. • Carter’s popularity plummeted.

26. 1980 Election • With low popularity, Carter seemed unlikely to win in 1980. • Republican Ronald Reagan won the election. • After months of secret talks, Iranians released the hostages the day Carter left office. • Carter was sent to greet them at a U.S. military base in West Germany.