Carter and Ford chapter 25, sections 4 and 5

Setting the scene: In the last 6 years… –MLK is shot –RFK is shot –There race riots in every major city –Student protesters are killed –Nixon resigns over Watergate –We lose the war in Vietnam –The country is divided over the war –58,000 young men don’t come home –The Nixon administration is exposed as completely corrupt –Inflation continues to rise –Unemployment continues to rise –Our economy is paralyzed be the OPEC embargo

The general mood in America is NOT one of OPTIMISM. People are beginning to wonder “are the good times over for good?”

Gerald Ford Sworn in on August 8th, st (and only) president that WAS NOT ELECTED! Ford was very popular among Washington D.C. politicians Trusted and respected

Post-Watergate Ford wanted to move the nation past the scandal Pardons Nixon for all crimes Plan backfires, Ford is widely criticized

Economy Inflation continued to rise “Whip Inflation Now!” Convince Americans to buy less, conserve fuel –Plan failed, inflation rises –Inflation + Stagnation = Stagflation –Economy stagnates Unemployment reaches 8%!

War Powers Act Weakened the War Powers of the President Was in response to Nixon’s abuse of power –Limited Ford’s actions in Southeast Asia

Fall of Saigon 1975 Congress won’t allow Ford to aid the South Vietnamese American Merchant ship was captured by the Khmer Rouge. We later took the ship back. This showed that we could still exert power in the region

Jimmy Carter Narrowly defeats Ford in the election of 1976 Southerner with no national political experience

Peanut Farmer Americans liked Carter’s “down home” approach Appointed many women and minorities

Domestic Programs Carter had little success promoting his domestic plans because he also had a poor relationship with Congress His public support fell as his programs failed

Economy Inflation continued to rise Carter cut spending to slow inflation Caused a spike in unemployment Attempted to deregulate the economy

Energy plan 40% of our oil came from overseas Imposed taxes on “gas guzzlers” (cars)

Converted utilities to other forms of energy Coal and nuclear Put money into alternative energy research

Amnesty - Pardons draft dodgers

Camp David Accords Carter plays the role of peacemaker between Israel and Egypt Israel leaves the Sinai Peninsula Egypt officially recognizes Israel

Iran Hostage Crisis Carter could not bring all the hostages home Some remained hostages for 444 days Crisis made Carter appear weak

Cost him the election of 1980 Reagan sent Carter to greet the hostages on their way home from Iran at a layover in Germany