1. The Ford and Carter Years
How does the country heal 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 many say it allowed the country to heal quicker from wounds of Vietnam & Watergate

3. Ford and the Economy
Mid 70s also 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, higher interest rates, made recession worse
Constant battles w/ Dem Congress – vetoes 50 bills in 2 yrs

4. Ford’s Foreign Policy
Congress passed War Powers Act, limiting President’s abilities to use troops (60 days), Ford can’t help in S. Vietnam
Kissinger stays on as Sec’y of State, continues Nixon’s détente
Ford participates in the Helsinki Accords
35 nations signed the Accords, which mend relationships between Eastern and Western Europe

5. 1976 Election
Ford faces challenge in his own party from 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. Americans use less foreign oil so OPEC slows production
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
Americans use less foreign oil so OPEC slows production
Oil prices rise, less gas, inflation climbs to 14%, unemployment is on the rise

7. Three Mile Island Many citizens debate if nuclear power is safe in US
US faces nuclear crisis in 1979, series of human errors leads to a partial meltdown of a nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island in PA
Clip: What causes radiation to escape? How many reontgens were measured and is the amount deadly?
Skylab
1979: US Space Station Skylab is about to fall out of space, people begin to panic, will Skylab fall on me?
Clip: How long was Skylab manned?Where did Skylab eventually hit?

8. 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 Argentina and Brazil due to dictatorships
Agreed to return the Panama Canal to Panama on 12/31/99
Signs SALT II w/ Soviets
Boycotts 1980 Olympics in Moscow when Soviet Union invades Afghanistan – Congress refuses to ratify SALT II

9. Middle East
Carter gets leaders of Egypt & Israel to meet at Camp David
Carter mediates peace agreements between two nations
Camp David Accords
Israel returns the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt
Egypt recognizes Israel’s right to exist

10. 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 taking 52 workers hostage, students demand the return of the Shah for US hostages

11. Carter refuses, US tries rescue attempt but it fails
444 Days
Carter refuses, US tries rescue attempt but it fails
Shah dies in hospital – hostages still held for 444 days
Economy & hostage crisis cause Carter to lose 1980 election
Clips : 1) Why was the Shah a good/bad leader? 2) What happens to the Shah in 1953 and who restores him to power?
3) What happens when Carter lets Shah into US? 4) What happens to the rescue attempt? 5) When are hostages released?