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

2. 38th President of the United States Republican 1974-1976
President Gerald Ford
38th President of the United States
Republican

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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)

6. 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

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

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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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).

20. 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.

21. 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

22. 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.

23. 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