Foreign Policy Ford

Gerald Ford’s Vietnam Ford wanted to send military aid to help the south stop the north Congress said no and threatened to use the War Powers Act Helsinki Accords U.S. and many other nations agree to cooperate economically Respect national boundaries Promote Human rights He continued Strategic Arms Limitation Talks

Foreign Policy Jimmy Carter

His Position He uses his strong personal morals to guide his foreign policy Human Rights Supporting human rights becomes the cornerstone of Carter’s foreign policy He wants to support freedom around the world

Middle East Peace Israel and the Arab countries had fought two wars (1967 and 1973) 1977 Egypt’s leader went to Israel to negotiate peace but failed 1978 Carter invited both leaders to Camp David to work peace September 1978 – Camp David Accords were signed Israel withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula Egypt becomes first Arab country to recognize Israel

Panama Canal Carter wants the canal given to the Panamanians Congress passed a treaty with Panama Panama gains control of canal by the year 2000 U.S. can step in militarily if the canal is threatened

China and Africa Carter furthers diplomatic relations with China China gets U.S. technology U.S. gets access to China’s huge economic market This keeps the Soviet Union on guard He supports self determination in Africa African nations decide what type of government they want without outside influence

Soviet Union Carter alienates the Soviets Supports Human rights Supports dissidents in the USSR Those that oppose the actions of the government Writers and other activist

Soviet Union SALT II Carter pushes for further limits in nuclear weapons Soviets Balk at the new proposal Brezhnev and Carter sign it anyway in June 1979 SALT II still needs to be ratified by the Senate

Soviet Union Afghanistan December 1979 the Soviets invade Afghanistan Carter tells Soviets that this will hurt U.S.- Soviet relations As a result Carter doesn’t send SALT II to the Senate to be approved The U.S. boycotted the 1980 summer Olympics in Moscow

Iran Hostage Crisis 1979 a revolution broke out in Iran by Muslim fundamentalists The Shah (leader of Iran) fled Iran Ayatollah Khomeini took over as the leader October 1979 Carter let the Shah come to U.S. for medical treatment Iranians are outraged Leads to the crisis

Iran Hostage Crisis The crisis Iranian’s students seize the U.S. embassy and take 66 hostages Some were returned but most were held for 444 days They were moved around, kept in solitary, and beaten

Iran Hostage Crisis U.S. Response Carter froze Iranian funds Placed a trade embargo on Iranian oil Ordered a commando rescue but it failed Iran won’t release hostages until Carter is out of office As a result Carter lost the election Reagan is the one who welcomes them home