FORD and CARTER Years

“The Ford and Carter Years” 1974 to 1981

The Ford and Carter administrations attempt to remedy the nations worst economic crisis in years.

I.) Tough Road Ahead A.President Ford faces: 1. Rough Economy a. high inflation b. high unemployment c. energy problems d. public distrust of govt. On the Watergate Scandal: “ Our long national nightmare is over” After becoming vice president: “I’m a Ford, not a Lincoln”

II.) Ford’s Policy A.September 8, 1974: President Ford pardon’s Nixon B.Economy: 1. “Whip Inflation Now” (WIN): Ford calls Americans to cut back use of oil and gas 2. “Tight Money Policy”: cut govt. spending & higher interest rates Outcome: worst economic recession in 40 years Outcome: worst economic recession in 40 years

Tries to WIN: Whip inflation now Asks public to cut back on oil consumption Cuts government spending Increases interest rates

Ford pardons Nixon Sept Ford pardons Nixon of all charges Very unpopular move in the public Appoints: Dick Cheney Chief of Staff Alan Greenspan as Chairman of the Federal Reserve board Bush as head of CIA

Ford’s Foreign Policy Continues Nixon’s ideas, meets with China and Soviet Union Helsinki Accords: Recognized European boundaries/ recognized Human Rights South Vietnam surrenders to North in 1975

C.Foreign Policy: 1. Henry Kissinger remains secretary of state 2. Détente: negotiates with China & Soviet Union 3. Helsinki Accords: 35 nations agree to cooperation Outcome: Ford’s greatest accomplishment 4. South Vietnam surrenders; Congress sends no aide

III.) Election of 1976 Republican Nominee: Gerald Ford Democrat Nominee: Jimmy Carter Election Day Results: Jimmy Carter wins with 40.8 million votes to Gerald Fords 39.1 million “I will never lie to the American people”

Carter years Outsider as President Granted amnesty to Vietnam draft dodgers Time of severe energy crisis President during the “me decade” SALT II Sanctions led to Olympic Boycott in 1980

Carter Christian Fundamentalists “citizens” President Fitness decade TV shows of 70s

Carter Faces Problems Carter Faces Problems A.Energy Crisis: 1. reliance on foreign oil Outcome: National Energy Act of 1979 B.Economic Crisis: 1. violence in Middle East produces fuel shortage in U.S. 2. inflation rises from 7.6% to 11.3% in 1979; 14% Standard of living goes from 1 st to 5 th place in world

3. Changing Economy a. less manufacturing and more service jobs b. overseas competition

Carter’s Policy Carter’s Policy Civil Rights: 1. administration include more African-Americans and women than any before

. Human Rights & Foreign Policy: 1. rejected “Realpolitik” 1. rejected “Realpolitik” 2. use moral principles as guide (Wilson) 2. use moral principles as guide (Wilson) 3. commit to promoting human rights 3. commit to promoting human rights Carters human rights policies end Détente & raise Cold War tensions 1. Soviet invasion of Afghanistan 1. Soviet invasion of Afghanistan 2. SALT II signed by Carter/Brezhnev 2. SALT II signed by Carter/Brezhnev but not ratified by Senate but not ratified by Senate

. Establishing Human Rights Foreign Policy: U.S. & Panama Treaty (U.S. give up ownership of Panama Canal Dec ) (U.S. give up ownership of Panama Canal Dec ) Outcome: improves U.S.-Latin American Relations

Camp David Accords: : peace negotiations begin between Israel (Menachem Begin) and Egypt (Anwar el- Sadat) : Carter, Sadat, & Begin meet at Camp David & agree to agreement - Israel withdraws from Sinai - & Egypt recognizes Israel

Iran Hostage Crisis: 1. Jan. 1979: revolution in Iran overthrows the shah of Iran with Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini 2. Nov. 4, 1979: 52 Americans taken hostage from U.S. embassy in Tehran 3. Outcome: negotiations for 444 days result in release Jan. 20, 1981

Olympic boycott 61 nation boycott over Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan Field hockey was supposed to be a big winner not the ice hockey

Iranian Hostage affair Shah come to US for medical treatment Ayatollah Khomeini (Islamic Cleric) 66 Americans take hostage from embassy

Environmental activism Earth Day EPA 35 laws created over the environment Alaskan pipeline Carter sets aside 56 million acres and Congress adds another 100million

Nuclear Power Use of nuclear power plants 1979 Three Mile Island Nuclear Regulatory Commission strengthens inspections Nuclear Regulatory Commission strengthens inspections

Three Mile Island

Chernobyl The Chernobyl accident in 1986 was the result of a flawed reactor design that was operated with inadequately trained personnel. The resulting steam explosion and fires released at least 5% of the radioactive reactor core into the atmosphere and downwind

Two Chernobyl plant workers died on the night of the accident, and a further 28 people died within a few weeks as a result of acute radiation poisoning

Chernobyl Extreme Tours