Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter

Ford Approval Ratings

Carter Approval Ratings

Carter vs. Ford

Commercials http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1976

Trusteeship Presidency

The Presidency of Jimmy Carter (Democrat) 1976-1980 “Washington outsider “ (Governor of Georgia) Carter appeals to voters who are still dealing with the dishonest Nixon Presidency. He wins the 1976 election in a landslide.

Carter’s Successes promotion of human rights. Carter’s foreign relations strategy was focused on the promotion of human rights. Turns over Panama Canal to Panama (2000) Camp David Accords – Carter negotiates the signing of the first peace agreement between an Arab nation (Egypt) and Israel. Carter is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. Egyptian President Anwar Sadat signing The Camp David Peace Accords with Israeli Prime Minister Menachim Begin

Carter’s Challenges Economic Problems – Inflation, Unemployment, Energy Shortages, and Gas Lines Three Mile Island Nuclear Accident Dealing with the Cold War Low Public Morale Following the US Defeat in Vietnam Iran Hostage Crisis Low Confidence in American Politics as a Result of the Watergate Scandal

Jimmy Carter: "It comes out fuzzy," May 21, 1978 On May 12, 1978, President Jimmy Carter agreed to a tax-cut package under pressure from Congress and the Federal Reserve Board, seeking to end an economic recession. Image consultant Gerald Rafshoon set about to alter the public perception of Carter as being indecisive. But his efforts were soon overwhelmed when Iranians took Americans hostage. Carter's ill-conceived attempt at a military rescue of the hostages resulted in a desert disaster, with loss of American lives and planes. 10

Energy Source: Office of Trade and Economic Development, Washington state. Available at: http://www.cted.wa.gov/energy/archive/FILES/PRFL/docs/key09/k09page.htm

Inflation A Case Study: The March Inflation Rate - April 19, 2006. Source: Econed.org, available at http://www.econedlink.org/lessons/index.cfm?lesson=EM685&page=teacher

Interest Rates Source: Christopher D. Merrett, The Future of Rural Communities in a Global Economy, University of Iowa Center for International Finance and Development. Available at: http://www.uiowa.edu/ifdebook/issues/globalization/perspectives/merrett.shtml

Three Mile Island In 1979 a nuclear accident occurred at the power plant located in Three Mile Island, PA. Although the disaster turned out to be not as serious as originally reported it shook American confidence in technology and nuclear power.

Cold War “heats up” In 1979, the Soviet Union ended the Détente era by invading Afghanistan. In response to the Soviet aggression, Carter made the decision for the US to boycott the 1980 Summer Olympics held in Moscow.

Moscow Olympics 1980, July 19, 1978 On July 14, 1978, the Soviet government imprisoned Anatoly Shcharansky, a dissident accused of supplying secret material to a reporter for the Los Angeles Times. The trial began on July 10, just two days before the start of U.S.-Soviet strategic arms limitation talks in Geneva. The trial captured public attention because Shcharansky had been promoting the cause of Jewish emigration from the Soviet Union. In addition, Shcharansky's countryman Alexander Ginzburg, manager of a fund for political prisoners, received a sentence of hard labor on July 13. President Jimmy Carter spoke out against the trials but said that American athletes would not boycott the Moscow Olympics. He reversed this decision in 1980 after the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. 16

Iran Hostage Crisis Shah Pahlavi Ayatollah Khomeini In 1979 a political coup led by Islamic fundamentalist Ayatollah Khomeini overthrew the Pro-West Shah of Iran Mohammed Reza Pahlavi. As the new regime was Anti- American, Iran quickly became an enemy of the US.

Iran Hostage Crisis Shortly after being removed from power, the Iranian Shah was allowed into the US to seek treatment for cancer. In response to the US action, Iranian students rushed the US embassy in Tehran and took 66 Americans hostage. After several pleas for their release, Carter ordered in American helicopters to rescue the hostages. Unfortunately, however, the helicopters crashed in the desert on their way to Tehran. American Hostages Paraded in Tehran Wreckage from the US Helicopters Sent to free the US Hostages in Iran

Khomeini: Spiritual leader, April 8, 1979 The Shah of Iran, Reza Shah Pahlavi, left his country on January 16, 1979 paving the way for a new government led by the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. On April 1, 1979, Khomeini established an Islamic republic in Iran, calling it "the first day of the government of God." Revolutionary fervor ran high as armed vigilante bands and kangaroo courts made bloody work of the Shah's last partisans and what remained of the secular left. Under Khomeini's fanatic rule, firing squads summarily carried out death sentences. His followers seized the American embassy and numerous hostages on November 4, 1979. 19

November 4, 1979

Rescue Mission April 1980

The 1980 Presidential Election Dem. Jimmy Carter vs. Rep. Ronald Reagan. Reagan was a 72 year old former actor and Gov of California. Appealing to voters, Reagan promised to lead the US to greatness again. He won the election easily, and soon after his election the Iranian hostages were released. Ronald Reagan