Jimmy Carter Enters the White House

Election of 1976 In the 1976 Presidential Election, the Republicans nominated the sitting president Gerald Ford as their candidate The Democrats nominated a relative unknown, Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter, who had once been a peanut farmer In a close election, Carter defeated Ford to become the nation’s 39 th president. Texas was a key state in the victory for Carter. Gerald Ford, RepublicanJimmy Carter, Democrat

Election of 1976 Carter won 40.8 million votes and 297 electoral votes Ford won 39.1 million votes and 240 electoral votes

The Carter Years Jimmy Carter was liked by many because he was a Southern Democrat who was not a Washington insider But Carter’s Presidency was troubled by the Iran hostage crisis and an economic downturn

Economic Problems Continue Carter increased government spending to put more money into the economy. Result: Rising inflation. Carter increased government spending to put more money into the economy. Result: Rising inflation. Then Carter cut government spending. Funding was cut for social programs. Then Carter cut government spending. Funding was cut for social programs. Businesses failed & more people lost their jobs. Businesses failed & more people lost their jobs. Then asked for an increase in government spending. Then asked for an increase in government spending. Voters had enough of his economic policy swings. Voters had enough of his economic policy swings.

OPEC OPEC is the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and it was founded in 1960 by five founding members: Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. One of the factors that caused inflation was the rising price of energy like gasoline & heating oil

OPEC-Embargo OPEC Member Nations agree on how much oil to pump and at what price to sell their oil. OPEC Member Nations agree on how much oil to pump and at what price to sell their oil. OPEC decided to use oil as a political weapon. OPEC decided to use oil as a political weapon. In response to the U.S. support of Israel, in 1973 OPEC placed an oil embargo (ban) on any nation that supported Israel. This included the US & Western Europe. In response to the U.S. support of Israel, in 1973 OPEC placed an oil embargo (ban) on any nation that supported Israel. This included the US & Western Europe.

Middle East Turmoil  Trouble began in the Middle East following World War II with the creation of Israel.  During the wars, the United States supported Israel due to our close Judea-Christian ties.  The conflict led to four wars between Israel and numerous Muslim-dominated Arab countries

Gas Shortages The OPEC oil embargo led to gas shortages in the United States and throughout the world. Gas prices skyrocketed and people were limited to the amount of gasoline they could buy. The fuel shortage became known as the US Energy Crisis due to OPEC raising prices

Gas Shortages Long lines and hours of waiting to get gas were common sights in the 1970s. The embargo was meant to force Israel’s allies to desert it. The embargo was called off in March of 1974 without achieving its goal.

Conserving Energy As President Carter’s goal was to cut the nation’s dependence on foreign oil. Called for increase in coal production. Funding for research on renewable energy sources such as solar, sun, power & wind power. Carter asked Citizens to make fewer car trips use more transportation Homes, offices & schools should be kept cooler in winter and warmer in summer. Automakers began to produce smaller cars with more fuel-efficient engines. US greatly reduced the use of foreign oil during the late 70s

Carter’s Foreign Affairs 1978, Pres. Carter negotiated that the Panama canal would be given to the nation of Panama on 12/31/1999. Central goal: Promote human rights. Carter cut aid to countries that violated the rights of their people. US pressured RussianPremier Brezhnev to stop mistreating dissidents (pp who disagreed with communist) US-Soviet Tensions Soviets invaded Afghanistan Brezhnev refused to withdraw forces. Carter ordered embargo on the shipment of grain & ordered US Olympic team to boycott the 1980 summer games in Moscow. Détente had fallen apart.

Camp David Accords  One of the greatest achievements of Carter was in his foreign policy.  Carter negotiated a peace agreement between Israel and Egypt that was known as the Camp David Accords, signed in September  Egypt recognized Israel and Israel agreed to give up some of the territory it had captured.

Iran Hostage Crisis *Carter allowed the Shah of Iran to enter US for cancer treatment. *This angered the revolutionaries. *They took over the American Embassy in response to the U.S. allowing the former Shah of Iran to come to the U.S. Iran was a country that ignored human rights. US backed Shah or leader of Iran for 2 reasons. 1.Major oil producer 2.Iran bordered the Soviets. US believed it would keep Soviets out of the Middle East

Iran Hostage Crisis The Iran hostage crisis was a diplomatic crisis between Iran and the U.S., when 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days from November 4, 1979 to January 20, 1981

Iran Hostage Crisis They demanded that U.S. send the Shah back to Iran in return for the hostages. Carter refused. They were not released until after Carter was defeated in the 1980 election and left office.