Presentation Transcript

1. Gerald Ford –George W Bush

   US History 2012
2. Gerald Ford September 8 1974– President Ford Pardoned Richard Nixon Popularity rate fell! One week late he offered clemency, official forgiveness to Vietnam draft evaders—
3. Gerald Ford Whip Inflation Now—WIN! Cut back on their use of oil and gas and to take other energy saving measures Plan fell flat, interest rates soared—worse economic recession in 40 yrs.
4. Gerald Ford Foreign Policy— Nov. 1974, meeting with Leonid Brezhnev Helsinki, Finland—35 nations, including USSR, signed the Helsinki Accords Series of Agreements that promised greater cooperation between the nations of Eastern and Western Europe
5. Jimmy Carter Domestic Policies National Energy Act— The act placed a tax on gas-guzzling cars, removed price controls on oil and natural gas produced in the U.S. and extended tax credits for the development of alternative energy
6. Jimmy Carter Civil Rights Andrew Young U.S. Ambassador to United Nations Judicial Branch 28 African Americans 29 Women 14 Latinos Turn Against Affirmative Action!
7. Jimmy Carter U.S. Foreign Policy— “Human Rights” Promoting freedoms and liberties listed in the Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights Cutting off aid to Argentina and Brazil
8. Jimmy Carter Panama Canal 1914-US owned Panama Canal Hated having country split in half 1977-nation agreed to treaty turning over canal on Dec. 31, 1999 Improved relations between US and Latin America
9. Jimmy Carter CAMP DAVID ACCORDS- (1977) Egyptian President Anwar el-Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Begin Peace talks deadlocked in Jerusalem (1978) invited to Camp David—a presidential retreat in Maryland 12 days of intense negotiation Camp David Accords— Israel agreed to withdraw from the peninsula which it had captured from Egypt— Egypt formally recognized Israel’s right to exist
10. Jimmy Carter IRAN HOSTAGE CRISIS- (Jan 1979) Shah of Iran overthrown by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini Established a religious state based on Quran Allowed the Shah to enter the US for cancer treatment—made revolutionaries angry! Nov. 4, 1979—armed students seized the US embassy in Tehran and took 52 American hostages RETURN FOR TRIAL! (1980) attempted rescue mission---killing 8 New Election: Reagan and Bush 444 days later, hostages were released

11. Earth Day— April 22, 1970

    Environmental Awareness spotlighting pollution, toxic waste, and dwindling resources

12. Three Mile IslandMarch 28, 1979

    A nuclear reactor at a plant near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania malfunctioned: overheated b/c a cooling system failed—thousand evacuated for fear of radiation poison!
13. Ronald Reagan Republican 1981-1989 Vice President: George W. Bush
14. Assassination Attempt Two months into office (March 31, 1981), Reagan was shot by John Hinckley, Jr. Hinckley shot six rounds: One bullet ricocheted off the limousine and went into Reagan’s left side, bounced off a rib and stopped an inch from his heart One bullet hit press secretary James Brady in the head and left him paralyzed Two others were severely wounded
15. John Hinckley Jr. Assassination Attempt on President Ronald Reagan
16. Problems in Nicaragua Americans in Nicaragua since 1912 to protect our Latin American Interests Samoza(dictator of the country) ruled for 42 yrs before facing opposition To keep control, he rigged elections and assassinated political rivals 1977-1979 A Civil War Broke out between The Contras (known as the “rebels”, they were Samoza’s guardsmen) The Sandinistas (the rebels who overthrew the regime)
17. Problems in Nicaragua (1979) The Carter Administration funded the new Sandinista regime, along with the Soviet Union and Cuba (1981) The Reagan Administration fully supported the Contras (“rebel” guardsmen) Government refused any further funding for fear of another “Vietnam” The Reagan Administration found other ways to fund the Contras……..BUT HOW?!?
18. Iran-Contra Scandal At the same time, there is a war going between Iraq and Iran Reagan denounced Iran and urged U.S. allies not to sell weapons to Iran In 1983, a terrorist group loyal to Iran took a number of American hostages in Lebanon Behind the scenes, in exchanges for hostages, Reagan agreed to sell weapons to Iran…. He took the money and sent it to Nicaragua to fund the Contras!
19. Arms negotiations were published in a Lebanese newspaper---White House denied the deal Televised congressional hearing, National Security Adviser (John Poindexter) admitted that he had approved the scheme BUT he didn’t tell the President Lt. Colonel Oliver North, a White House ambassador, took the blame and admitted to lying and falsifying documents Both North and Poindexter were charged with conspiracy—North’s charges were later dropped when the Reagan Administration refused to release classified documents
20. Ronald Reagan Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) Tons of money spent Proposed a technological system called “STAR WARS” In theory—it could detect and intercept missiles fired at the U.S.
21. “Peace Through Strength” Gorbachev’s New Policies: Glasnost— openness and more freedom for the Soviet People Perstroika— His plan to restructure their economy and govn’t; began to move toward some capitalist ideas
22. “Peace Through Strength” INF Treaty (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) Limited two classes of weapons systems in Europe Formed a friendship with Grobachev
23. “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down that wall!”
24. “Reaganomics”—trickle down theory It gave tax cuts to the consumers, then ideally the consumers had more money to spend, spurring the economy By 1983, the inflation rate had dropped to 4%; business and the stock market soared, and unemployment dropped as well as interest rates PROBLEMS: did not help the poor, stockbrokers took advantage of the relaxed government policies and bought/sold stock on overvalued prices

25. Society Changes!

26. 1984 Election— Walter Mondale chose Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate She became the first female from a major party to run on a national ballot
27. ERA (Equal Rights Amendment) Failure to Ratify Women’s movement remained strong Ratification process bogged down ERA failed in 1982 (three states short) Appointment of Conservative Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O’Conner-first woman justice Antonin Scalia William Rehnquist-chief justice in 1986 Appointed by Reagan: ALL 3 WERE CONSERVATIVE JUSTICES!
28. REHNQUIST (TOP) SCALIA (BOTTOM)
29. SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER-Explodes after take-off with the nation’s schools watching live– the first teacher to go up in space
30. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Major Problem of the 80s Virus destroying the immune system Weakens the body making it susceptible to infections and cancer Homosexual men or intravenous drug users sharing needles
31. George Bush Foreign Affairs: Students in China began to demand freedom of speech and a voice April 1989—marches in Tiananmen Square Ordered military to crush students—slaughtering unarmed students
32. Operation Desert Storm: Saddam Hussein (leader of Iraq) in massive war debts Claimed Kuwait was really part of Iraq Aug. 2, 1990: Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait and headed toward Saudi Arabia Operation Desert Storm: to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi control Jan. 16, 1991: a massive air assault against Iraq Feb. 23, 1991: a successful ground offensive from Saudi Arabia Feb. 28, 1991: Bush announces a cease-fire…Kuwait was liberated!
33. George Bush Domestic Affairs: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Lowered Legal and physical obstacles for the physically challenged Approved in 1990
34. (5) NAFTA Clinton promoted another controversial issue during this period regarding free trade. 1993: Clinton supported the North American Free Trade Agreementfor ratification by the U.S. Senate. NAFTA called for eliminating many of the tariffs set on products traded among the United States, Canada and Mexico
35. (7) World Trade Center Bombing On February 26, 1993, a massive bomb exploded in the parking garage of thenorth tower of theWorld Trade Center building in New York City, killing sixpeople and leaving a crater six stories deep in the building's basement floors Planned by a group of terrorists of Middle Eastern descent; RamziYousef is known as the “mastermind”
36. (11) Oklahoma City Bombing April 19, 1995: a truck bomb destroyed a federal building in OK City, killing 168 people destroyed about half of the building, damaged/destroyed 300 other buildings, and was felt as far as 30 miles away Timothy McVeigh was charged with the crime(most likely reason was he was mad at the government for the Waco incident)and was executed on June 11, 2001 Accomplice Terry Nichols was sentenced to life in prison Largest act of US terrorism until 9-11
37. Timothy McVeigh, 26 OK City bombing memorial
38. Bombing Casualties The toll eventually reached 168 confirmed dead, not including an unmatched leg that might be from a possible, unidentified 169th victim. Of these, 160 were killed in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building, four people in the Athenian Building, one woman in a parking lot across the street, a man and woman in the Oklahoma Water Resources building, and a rescue worker struck in the head by debris. The victims ranged in age from three months to seventy-three, not including unborn children of three pregnant women. Nineteen of the victims were children, including fifteen who were in the America's Kids Day Care Center
39. (13) Unabomber Theodore “Ted” Kaczynski is an American mathematician who carried out a campaign of bombings and mail bombings which killed three people and wounded 23. His brother recognized his picture and turned him in
40. (15) Clinton Impeachment 1998: 2nd president to be impeached by the House of Representatives (the other being Andrew Johnson). Two charges against him were for perjury and obstruction of justice.The perjury charge arose from Clinton's testimony about his relationship to Monica Lewinsky during a sexual harassment lawsuit (later dismissed, appealed and settled for $850,000) brought by former Arkansas-state employee Paula Jones. The obstruction charge was based on his actions during the investigation of that testimony. Acquitted by Senate
41. Dan Rather repeatedly said the Democratic argument that Kenneth Starr's investigation of the Monica Lewinsky matter was about Bill Clinton's personal life and sex. He chooses not to relay the Republican view that Clinton may have committed perjury or obstruction of justice. Paula Jones; Clinton Monica Lewinsky; Clinton
42. 42. George Walker Bush2001- Present (R) Birth/Death: 1946- Elected from: Texas Vice President: Dick Cheney
43. (1) The 2000 Election/ Supreme Court Intervention FL’s 25 electoral votes were in question. Bush led the popular vote in FL by < 2,000. FL law required a recount. Supreme Court December 12, 2000 Bush v. Gore awarded FL to Bush. 1st president in over 100 years to win electoral vote, but not the popular.
44. (2) Sept. 11, 2001 8 months into Bush’s first term 19 terrorists (under bin Laden’s orders) 2 airline passenger jets into the Twin Towers (NYC) 1 into the Pentagon (DC), and one on way to DC that was taken over by passengers and crashed in PA. 3,000 Americans die within an hour and a half. Rudy Giuliani becomes “America’s Mayor.”
45. (3) No Child Left Behind Education plan to increase efforts to fully educate every child. Schools are held more accountable (state testing) Federal and state governments have increased education spending.
46. (4) Invasion of Afghanistan: Beginning of George W’s “War on Terrorism” Purpose: to capture Osama bin Laden, destroy al-Qaeda, and remove the Taliban regime which had provided support and safe harbor to al-Qaeda. Oct. 7, 2001: US and Great Britain begin strategic air strikes.
47. The U.S.-led Coalition is credited with removing the Taliban from power and seriously crippling al-Qaeda and associated militants in both Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan. U.S. has maintained its presence in Afghanistan ever since, fighting continued opposition by Muslim extremists.
48. (5) USA Patriot Act (2001) " Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001" The Act expanded the authority of US law enforcement agencies for the stated purpose of fighting terrorism in the United States and abroad. Very Controversial- supposedly “suppresses civil liberties”
49. (6) Enron/ World Com/ Big Business Bankruptcy (2002) Enron- Energy Co. out of Houston, TX Employs/ Investors lost millions because of accounting fraud Inflated profits and assets World Com- Telecommunication Co. out ofClinton, MS CEOs took money (loan) and inflated assets Bernie Ebbers: CEO now serving a 25 year jail sentence!
50. (7) Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster Feb. 1, 2003 Caused by damage sustained during launch when a piece of foam insulation from the external fuel tank peeled off during the launch 16 days earlier, puncturing the edge of the wing. Upon re-entry, hot gases entered the wing, destroying the support structure. The shuttle disintegrated over Texas.
51. (8) Invasion of Iraq/ Capture of Saddam Hussein (2003) March 20, 2003- US and GB forces invade Iraq after the UN would not invade. The Iraqi military was defeated, and Baghdad fell on April 9. On May 1, U.S. declared the end of major combat operations, terminating the Ba’ath’s party rule and removing Iraqi President Saddam Hussein from office. Coalition forces ultimately captured Saddam Hussein on Dec. 13, 2003.
52. (13) Hurricane Katrina (2005) August 23, 2005- Category 5 Costliest and one of deadliest in history Gulf Coast Over 1800 people killed Haley and Ray
53. (14) Saddam Hussein is convicted & hanged (2006) Dec. 13, ’03: Captured by U.S. forces Brought to trial under the Iraqi interim government set up by U.S.-led forces. Nov. 5,’06: Convicted of executing 148 Iraqi Shi'ites  sentenced to death by hanging. Dec. 30, ’06: Executed