Outcomes: Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, & George Bush Sr. The Last 35 Years Outcomes: Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, & George Bush Sr.

Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, & George Bush Sr. Setting the Stage: Bad Presidential Decisions Lyndon Johnson’s actions around the Vietnam Conflict changed the view of the Presidency Richard Nixon’s action with Watergate scandal widened the credibility gap Gerald Ford’s pardon of Richard Nixon was political suicide

Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter 1976 Election Gerald Ford (R) ran against Jimmy Carter (D) Carter won narrow victory; won the popular vote by less than 2 million votes Carter became first president elected from the deep south in 128 years Carter was a peanut farmer, Senator, and Governor from Georgia

Jimmy Carter Jimmy Carter Pros Carter successfully mediated peace talks between Israel and Egypt Carter strongly emphasized human rights Won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002; the only president to win after office Key figure in Habitat for Humanity since leaving office

Jimmy Carter Jimmy Carter Cons (Bad Timing?) Energy crisis in the late 1970s was sign of a failing economy Auto industry nearly collapsed Environmental problems: Love Canal Neighborhood in Niagara Falls, NY was built on toxic waste dump 500 homes had to be demolished and citizens moved

Iran-Hostage Crisis

Jimmy Carter Iran Hostage Crisis 52 Americans were held hostage in the American Embassy in Iran Took place during an Iranian Revolution Operation Eagle Claw: failed rescue attempt – 2 aircraft and 8 servicemen were killed Carter was unable to negotiate the hostages release Hostages were released after 444 days in captivity; release was negotiated by Ronald Reagan shortly after he was sworn in

Jimmy Carter Soviets invade Afghanistan in 1979 Carter decides to boycott Moscow Summer Olympics in 1980 Was seen as a weak response to Communist threat

Jimmy Carter & Ronald Reagan 1980 Election Jimmy Carter (D) ran against Ronald Reagan (R) Reagan was a former actor Carter’s weaknesses prompted Americans to vote for Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan Ronald Reagan Pros Iran hostages were set free while he gave his inaugural address Contemplated SDI or Star Wars; missile defense system – scared S.U.; escalated the Cold War once more Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in the Soviet Union; worked with Reagan and helped bring democratic and social reforms to S.U. Was re-elected to second term in 1984 with defeat of Walter Mondale Budgeted $1.7B for the war on drugs Cold War was nearly won by the time he left office

Reaganomics

Ronald Reagan Ronald Reagan Cons Reaganomics was controversial (Pro?) Use the trickle down theory of economics Large tax cuts Inflation slowed while unemployment was reduced Largely increased defense spending Federal budget deficits and the national debt increased Iran-Contra scandal uncovered; secret U.S. arms sales to Iran were used to fund Contras rebels in Nicaragua Challenger Space Shuttle exploded in mid air January 28, 1986

Challenger Explosion

George Bush Sr. 1988 Election Reagan’s VP George H.W. Bush (R) ran against Michael Dukakis (D) Bush became first serving VP to be elected Pres. Since Martin Van Buren in 1836 Bush would only last one term