The Carter Presidency Ch. 31 Sec. 3 Pp. 910-912

The Election of 1976 Ford restored confidence in government, but Watergate was still fresh in minds Democrats ran Carter/Mondale Ronald Reagan challenged Ford for the Republican nomination

The Election of 1976 Ford stressed his achievements Carter promised to clean up government Carter won the election African Americans in the south were Carter supporters

An Informal Presidency Washington “outsider” Wore business suit to inauguration, not formal clothing Wanted to be seen as an average American

Struggling with the Economy Carter increased federal spending and decreased taxes Unemployment decreased, but inflation occurred Carter then proposed spending cuts and a delayed tax cut Reversal made him look weak Since outsider, had trouble getting Congress to support programs

Energy Crisis Trade deficit – value of foreign goods exceeded the value of domestic goods National Energy Plan – created Dept. of Energy, research alternative fuels, taxes to encourage domestic oil production, and energy conservation

Nuclear Power March 1979 – major accident at Three Mile Island in PA 10% of U.S. energy came from nuclear power Anti-nuclear movement spreads Carter did not want to halt the nuclear energy program