1. The Ford and Carter Years
How does the country heal & suffer during the late 70s?

2. Ford Pardons Nixon
After being sworn in President Gerald Ford tells America “our long national nightmare is over”
To move the country beyond Watergate, Ford pardons Nixon of any crimes he may have committed while President
Ford loses much public support – but some say it allowed the country to heal quicker from wounds of Vietnam & Watergate

3. Ford and the Economy
Mid 70s experiencing an energy crisis due to high oil & electric prices - Ford urged energy conservation
Recession is getting worse, Inflation at 10%, Ford starts WIN – Whip Inflation Now
WIN=Cut spending & raise interest rates, RESULT: made recession even worse
Constant battles w/ Congress – Ford vetoes 50 bills in 2 yrs

4. Ford’s Foreign Policy
N. Vietnam invades S. Vietnam, Ford can’t help due to lack of Congressional approval & War Powers Act
However, Ford keeps Kissinger who continues Nixon’s détente, including negotiation w/ Brezhnev over SALT II
Ford participates in the Helsinki Accords
35 nations signed the Accords, which mend relationships between Eastern and Western Europe

5. Ford challenged in his own party by CA Gov Ronald Reagan
1976 Election
Ford challenged in his own party by CA Gov Ronald Reagan
Ford beats Reagan for Republican nomination, faces Georgia Gov Jimmy Carter in November, Carter seen as an “outsider”
Carter beats Ford in very close election

6. Energy Crisis & Economy Worsens
Carter goes to Congress with 100 proposals on Energy Crisis, is met with resistance by Senators who states depend cars/gas
1978: Carter & Congress agree pass National Energy Act: tax “gas guzzlers” & give tax credits for alternative energy
Result: Americans begin to use less foreign oil
In response, OPEC slows production causing oil prices to rise & gas shortages
Economy worsening, inflation climbs to 14%, unemployment rate was still high - Carter gives infamous “malaise speech”

7. Environmental Issues of 1970s
1970s sees more environmental awareness, incl. first “Earth Day”, Clean Air Act and conservation laws in Alaska
Mid 70s: Hooker Chemical sells “Love Canal” site to developers and school district In NY
1978: Press reveals Hooker Chemical used the site to dump toxic waste, which was contaminating the entire area
Due to energy crisis, many feel nuclear power is the answer but citizens question if it is safe
1979: series of human errors leads to a partial meltdown of a nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island in PA

8. Clip #1: 1) What did safety officials say at first
Clip #1: 1) What did safety officials say at first? 2) Was there a real danger? 3) What do all plants now have as a result?
1979: US Space Station Skylab is about to fall out of space, people begin to panic, will Skylab fall on me?
Clip #2: 1) How long was Skylab manned? 2) Where did Skylab eventually hit?
Skylab

9. Carter’s Foreign Policy
Carter & Sec’y of State Cyrus Vance reject realpolitik policy of Kissinger, want to focus on human rights
Cut off relations with Latin American dictatorships
Agreed to return the Panama Canal on 12/31/99
Signs SALT II but when Soviet Union invades Afghanistan, Congress refuses to ratify SALT II
Carter boycotts 1980 Olympics in Moscow over Afghanistan

10. Camp David Accords
Carter gets leaders of Egypt & Israel to meet at Camp David to mediate a peace agreement between two nations
Israel returns the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt, Egypt recognizes Israel’s right to exist

11. Iran Hostage Crisis
1979: Ayatollah Khomeini tells people of Iran to revolt against the rule of Shah Mohammad Pahlavi, who is backed by US
Shah flees Iran, Khomeini takes control
Carter allows Shah into US for medical treatment
Iranian students storm US embassy keeping 52 workers hostage, students demand return of the Shah for US hostages

12. Carter refuses to give up Shah, tries rescue attempt but it fails
444 Days
Carter refuses to give up Shah, tries rescue attempt but it fails
Shah dies in hospital – hostages still held for 444 days
Economy & hostage crisis make Carter look weak
Clips : 1) Describe the Shah’s lifestyle. 2) What does Carter do to Iranian money? 3) When are hostages released?