Jimmy Carter Unit 12

Election of 1976 Gerald Ford v. Jimmy CarterGerald Ford v. Jimmy Carter Ford had a difficult time winning the primary against Republican candidate Ronald ReaganFord had a difficult time winning the primary against Republican candidate Ronald Reagan After Watergate, a downward economy, and a tough primary the Democrats had their eyes on the WhitehouseAfter Watergate, a downward economy, and a tough primary the Democrats had their eyes on the Whitehouse “We could run an aardvark this year and win” – Democratic Leader Winner:Winner: A nationally unknown peanut farmer and former governor – Jimmy CarterA nationally unknown peanut farmer and former governor – Jimmy Carter “I will never tell a lie to the American people.”“I will never tell a lie to the American people.”

Carter Road-blocked By Congress Biggest FailureBiggest Failure Carter stayed in touch with the people but lost touch with politicsCarter stayed in touch with the people but lost touch with politics Good with the People Refused to use the Presidential Limousine, instead walked around Washington, DCRefused to use the Presidential Limousine, instead walked around Washington, DC Held “Fire-side-like” chatsHeld “Fire-side-like” chats Held “phone-ins” for people to call and talk to the PresidentHeld “phone-ins” for people to call and talk to the President Bad with Politics Refused to play the “insider” game with political PowerPlayersRefused to play the “insider” game with political PowerPlayers Democrats & Republicans united against himDemocrats & Republicans united against him

Carter Battling a Failing Economy Carter makes the energy crisis his #1 piece of his agendaCarter makes the energy crisis his #1 piece of his agenda April 18, 1977April 18, 1977 The energy crisis has not yet overwhelmed us, but it will if we do not act quickly. It is a problem … likely to get progressively worse through the rest of this century … Our decision about energy will test the character of the American people and the ability of the president and the Congress to govern this nation. This difficult effort will be the “moral equivalent of war,” except that we will be uniting our efforts to build and not to destroy.The energy crisis has not yet overwhelmed us, but it will if we do not act quickly. It is a problem … likely to get progressively worse through the rest of this century … Our decision about energy will test the character of the American people and the ability of the president and the Congress to govern this nation. This difficult effort will be the “moral equivalent of war,” except that we will be uniting our efforts to build and not to destroy.

Carter Battling Special Interest Oil & gas producing states fiercely resisted Carter’s energy conservation proposalsOil & gas producing states fiercely resisted Carter’s energy conservation proposals Automobile manufacturers also lobbied against gas-rationing laws because they did not want to eat the expense of producing fuel efficient vehiclesAutomobile manufacturers also lobbied against gas-rationing laws because they did not want to eat the expense of producing fuel efficient vehicles Rising gas prices hurt most of the country, but it caused an economic boom in Texas – the image of a “Texas Oil Man” entrepreneur began and was symbolizedRising gas prices hurt most of the country, but it caused an economic boom in Texas – the image of a “Texas Oil Man” entrepreneur began and was symbolized

Economic Crisis Worsens National Energy ActNational Energy Act Americans used less energyAmericans used less energy More energy efficient heating units and carsMore energy efficient heating units and cars More domestic production of oil and gasMore domestic production of oil and gas ResultResult OPEC, instead of responding competitively, just announced another major price hikes which drove inflation and crippled the American economyOPEC, instead of responding competitively, just announced another major price hikes which drove inflation and crippled the American economy

Economic Crisis Worsens Carter tries an array of strategies but nothing worksCarter tries an array of strategies but nothing works Carter gives his famous “Malaise” speechCarter gives his famous “Malaise” speech He said that the American people are struck by a “crisis of confidence that had struck at the very heart and soul of our national will”He said that the American people are struck by a “crisis of confidence that had struck at the very heart and soul of our national will” This convinces Americans that Jimmy Carter and given up and didn’t have a plan to fix the American economyThis convinces Americans that Jimmy Carter and given up and didn’t have a plan to fix the American economy Manufacturing jobs in the Northeast shut down, this area nicknamed the “Rust Belt”Manufacturing jobs in the Northeast shut down, this area nicknamed the “Rust Belt” Sets the stage for an easy 1980 election for Republicans to winSets the stage for an easy 1980 election for Republicans to win

Supply-Side vs Demand Side Economics Remember Keynes v. Hayek?Remember Keynes v. Hayek? Keyenes = Demand-Side EconomicsKeyenes = Demand-Side Economics Encouraging spending with incentives, government purchases, etc. will encourage businesses and the economy to growEncouraging spending with incentives, government purchases, etc. will encourage businesses and the economy to grow Hayek = Supply-Side EconomicsHayek = Supply-Side Economics Removing regulations, taxes, etc. will encourage businesses and the economy to growRemoving regulations, taxes, etc. will encourage businesses and the economy to grow

Camp David Accords The two major fighting groups in the middle east at this time were Israel and EgyptThe two major fighting groups in the middle east at this time were Israel and Egypt The battle in the Middle East was further driving up gas pricesThe battle in the Middle East was further driving up gas prices Jimmy Carter was able to broker a deal between the two leaders for the first time in 30 yearsJimmy Carter was able to broker a deal between the two leaders for the first time in 30 years This was known as the Camp David accords and was the first step in America gaining its first and only ally in the Middle East - IsraelThis was known as the Camp David accords and was the first step in America gaining its first and only ally in the Middle East - Israel

Iran Hostage Crisis Up until the end of the Shah of Iran’s rule in 1979, the United States had financially supported the Iranian government as an ally against USSR in the ColdUp until the end of the Shah of Iran’s rule in 1979, the United States had financially supported the Iranian government as an ally against USSR in the Cold However, this corrupt leadership used secret police to capture, torture, and kill its own peopleHowever, this corrupt leadership used secret police to capture, torture, and kill its own people A rebellion broke out, led by a Radical Islam Religious leader, and we protected the Shah by bringing him to the USA rebellion broke out, led by a Radical Islam Religious leader, and we protected the Shah by bringing him to the US Protestors in response took 52 Americans (mostly students) hostage and held them in captivity for 444 days parading them blind folded through TehranProtestors in response took 52 Americans (mostly students) hostage and held them in captivity for 444 days parading them blind folded through Tehran