The Ford and Carter Years How does the country heal & suffer during the late 70s?

Ford Pardons Nixon After stating “nightmare is over”, Ford pardons Nixon to move the country past Watergate Ford loses public support – but some say it allowed the country to heal quicker from wounds of Vietnam & Watergate Congress looking to gain back power after Vietnam & Watergate will constantly battle with Ford

Ford and the Economy Economy struggling due to high energy costs, inflation & unemp. Ford urged energy conservation and announces “WIN” – Whip Inflation Now (cut spending & raise interest rates) RESULT: made recession even worse

Ford’s Foreign Policy Ford & Kissinger continue Nixon’s détente, including negotiation w/ Brezhnev over SALT II Ford participates in the Helsinki Accords 35 nations signed the Accords, which mend relationships between Eastern and Western Europe

Ford challenged in his own party by CA Gov Ronald Reagan 1976 Election https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk8R4PoR9II Ford challenged in his own party by CA Gov Ronald Reagan Ford beats Reagan for Republican nomination, faces Georgia Gov Jimmy Carter in November, Carter seen as an “outsider” http://www.livingroomcandidate.org/commercials/1976 Carter beats Ford in very close election

Energy Crisis & Economy Worsens Carter & Congress agree pass National Energy Act: tax “gas guzzlers” & give tax credits for alternative energy Result: Americans begin to use less foreign oil In response, OPEC slows production causing oil prices to rise & gas shortages Economy worsening, inflation climbs to 14%, unemployment rate was still high - Carter gives infamous “malaise speech”

Environmental Issues of 1970s 1. Hooker Chemical sells “Love Canal” site to developers and school district in NY 1978: Press revealed Hooker Chemical used the site to dump toxic waste, which contaminated the entire area 2. Due to energy crisis, many feel nuclear power is the answer but citizens question if it is safe 1979: series of mechanical & human errors leads to a partial meltdown of a nuclear reactor at Three Mile Island in PA

Clip: 1) What did the PA Governor do. 2) Was there a real danger Clip: 1) What did the PA Governor do? 2) Was there a real danger? 3) What do all plants now have as a result? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-i3vgspJK0&safe=active

Carter’s Foreign Policy Carter rejects Kissinger’s realpolitik, focus on human rights Cut off relations with Latin American dictatorships and agreed to return the Panama Canal Carter continued détente & signed SALT II but Congress refused to ratify SALT II after the Soviets invade Afghanistan Carter boycotts 1980 Olympics in Moscow over Afghanistan

Camp David Accords Carter gets leaders of Egypt & Israel to meet at Camp David to mediate a peace agreement Israel returns the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt, Egypt recognizes Israel’s right to exist

Iran Hostage Crisis 1979: Ayatollah Khomeini leads a revolution against US-backed Shah Mohammad Pahlavi, Shah flees Iran Carter allows Shah into US for medical treatment Iranian students storm US embassy taking American workers hostage, students demand return of the Shah for hostages Carter refuses, attempts rescue that fails Hostages held 444 days

Clip : 1) Describe the Shah’s lifestyle 2) What are some actions Carter takes? 3) Why do you think the crisis hurt Carter in 1980?