The Ford and Carter Presidencies IB History of the Americas American Foreign and Domestic Policy

38th President of the United States Republican 1974-1976 President Gerald Ford 38th President of the United States Republican 1974-1976

Now, therefore, I, Gerald R Now, therefore, I, Gerald R. Ford, President of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, have granted and by these presents do grant a full, free, and absolute pardon unto Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States which he, Richard Nixon, has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from July September 8, 1974. Approval rating: 72% to 49%, possibly led to defeat in 1976 election.

Ford Travels a Rough Road Ford Tries to “Whip” Inflation Unsuccessfully asks public to cut back use of oil, gas, save energy Cuts government spending; urges higher interest to restrict credit “Tight money” policy triggers recession Whip Inflation Now Grassroots program designed to combat inflation by encouraging personal saving and disciplined spending

Ford’s Foreign Policy Carrying Out Nixon’s Foreign Policies Ford continues negotiations with China, Soviet Union between Eastern, Western Europe Signs Helsinki Accords—cooperation The Accords' "Declaration on Principles Guiding Relations between Participating States" Sovereign equality, respect for the rights inherent in sovereignty Refraining from the threat or use of force Inviolability of frontiers Territorial integrity of States Peaceful settlement of disputes Non-intervention in internal affairs Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief Equal rights and self-determination of peoples Co-operation among States Fulfillment in good faith of obligations under international law Debate possibly led to defeat in 1976 election, Ford out of touch with Foreign policy. Finalizes World War II borders. Soviets would agree to improve human rights (did not)

Ford’s Foreign Policy Ongoing Turmoil in Southeast Asia Vietnam cease-fire breaks down; Ford asks Congress for $722 million in aid to South Congress refuses; South Vietnam surrenders in 1975 Cambodia seizes U.S. merchant ship Mayagüez Ford uses big military response; 41 die to rescue 39, is criticized

Operation Frequent Wind Evacuation by helicopter of American civilians and "at-risk" Vietnamese from Saigon, South Vietnam, on 29– 30 April 1975

Carter Enters the White House Mr. Carter Goes to Washington Jimmy Carter promises to restore integrity to presidency - defeats Ford by narrow margin

Carter Enters the White House Has down-to-earth style; holds “fireside chats” on radio, TV Does not make deals with Congress; relies on Georgia advisers Both parties in Congress join to sink Carter budgets, major reforms

Carter’s Domestic Agenda Confronting the Energy Crisis Carter offers energy proposals; oil-, gas-states, auto makers resist National Energy Act— encourages conservation, U.S. energy sources National Energy Act, conservation cut foreign oil dependence

Carter’s Domestic Agenda The Economic Crisis Worsens Violence in Middle East creates fuel shortage; OPEC raises prices Carter tries various methods, none work; gives “malaise” speech 1980 inflation 14%, standard of living drops; people lose confidence

Carter’s Domestic Agenda A Changing Economy From 1950s automation, foreign competition reduce manufacturing jobs Service sector expands, higher paying jobs require education, skills

Carter’s Domestic Agenda Carter and Civil Rights Carter hires more African Americans, women than previous presidents Many civil rights groups disappointed because few laws passed 1978 Bakke case, Supreme Court strikes affirmative action quotas - allows race as one factor in university admissions

A Human Rights Foreign Policy Advancing Human Rights Carter’s foreign policy promotes human rights—basic freedoms Cuts off aid to some, not all, allies that mistreat own citizens

A Human Rights Foreign Policy Yielding the Panama Canal Panamanians resent having country split in two by foreign power 1977 treaty gives control of canal to Panama on Dec. 31, 1999 Agreements improve relations between U.S., Latin America

A Human Rights Foreign Policy The Collapse of Détente Carter’s insistence on human rights strains relations with U.S.S.R. SALT II talks delayed; Carter, Brezhnev finally sign June 1979

Salt II SALT II helped the U.S. to discourage the Soviets from arming their third generation ICBMs of SS-17, SS-19 and SS-18 types with many more Multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs).

A Human Rights Foreign Policy The Collapse of Détente SALT II meets sharp opposition in Senate December, Soviets invade Afghanistan; Carter lets SALT II die Six months after the signing, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, and in September of the same year, the Soviet combat brigade deployed to Cuba was discovered. In light of these developments, the treaty was never formally ratified by the United States Senate.

Triumph and Crisis in the Middle East The Camp David Accords 1978 Carter hosts talks between Anwar el-Sadat, Menachem Begin Camp David Accords forge peace between Israel, Egypt: - Israel withdraws from Sinai Peninsula - Egypt recognizes Israel’s right to exist

Triumph and Crisis in the Middle East The Iran Hostage Crisis Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini leads overthrow of Shah - establishes an Islamic state Carter supports Shah of Iran Mohammad Rezā Shāh Pahlavī; allows him entry to U.S. for cancer treatment Shah’ s reign - 26 September 1941 – 11 February 1979Explanations for why the Shah was overthrown include that he was a dictator put in place by a non-Muslim Western power, the United States, whose foreign culture was seen as influencing that of Iran. Additional contributing factors included reports of oppression, brutality, corruption, and extravagance.

The Iran Hostage Crisis Students seize U.S. embassy, take 52 hostages; demand shah back Carter refuses; standoff ensues; intense secret negotiations follow Captives released Jan. 1981, shortly after Ronald Reagan sworn in