Carter’s Foreign Policy

Improving Human Rights Panama Canal Treaty Recognizing China Solving the Middle East Issues Improving Soviet Relations

Improving Human Rights Made this his number one foreign policy issue Continued that throughout his presidency and through today –Opened the Carter Center Believed America had to hold their allies and foes accountable –Risked straining relations with friends and widening existing rift between foes Boycott of the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics Soviets response? Boycott the LA 1984 Olympics –Hurt Americans more so than the Soviets

Panama Canal Treaties Talks began after anti-American riots forced America to enter talks regarding future of Canal Agreed to gradually turn over control of the Canal to Panama by 2000

Panama Canal Treaties Proponents: Improved relations Opponents: Gave it away

Recognition of the PRC January 1, 1979

Taiwan -severed formal relations with Taiwan

Carter and the PRC Proponents: Improved relations with PRC Opponents: Got nothing; sold out Taiwan

Peace in the Middle East

Camp David Accords March 26, 1979 Carter’s greatest success Egyptian President Anwar Sadat Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin

Camp David Accords Met in Camp David with Carter acting as mediator. 4 points: Israel agreed to a phased withdrawal of the Sinai Peninsula US would establish monitoring posts to prevent attacks Egypt fully recognized Israel Israel would begin to negotiate with Palestine for peace

How did international crises affect Carter’s presidency? In 1979 a series of events occurred that seemed to overwhelm Carter’s presidency. In 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. On November 4, 1979, a mob attacked the American embassy in Tehran, Iran’s capital, and took several dozen Americans hostage.

Soviets invaded Afghanistan December 25, 1979

Carter’s Reaction to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan Hotline Withdrew SALT II Olympic Boycott Helped Afghan Freedom Fighters Carter Doctrine

Containment + Persian Gulf =

Did the Soviet Army leave Afghanistan? NO

Iran-Hostage Crisis November 4, 1979 – January 20, Days

Struggle for Power in Iran Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini

Shah = US Puppet Operation AJAX (1953)

Poor Economic Conditions of Iran Average Annual Income of Iranian Male (1979) $500

Riots in Iran (1978 – 1979) Shah’s “Vacation” January 16, 1979 Entered US: October 22, 1979

November 4, 1979 Death to the Shah! Death to Carter! Death to America!

66 Americans taken hostage 14 would be released 52 American hostages would remain

WWCD? What would Carter do? Felt like his child was kidnapped

Take Away Their Money Carter Froze Iranian Assets November 14, 1979

Operation Eagle Claw April 24, 1980

Failure: Operation Eagle Claw Three of the eight helicopters had engine failures

Failure: Operation Eagle Claw

Operation Eagle Claw -8 killed

The Situation Started to Change Shah died –July 27, 1980 Iran-Iraq War started –September 22, 1980 Reagan promised to be tougher

Money Transferred US Banks Bank of England Swiss Bank Account Iranian Bank

The Deal (done January 19,1981) 2.9 billion in frozen Iranian assets returned

Freedom: January 20, days

Hostages Freed: 33 minutes into Reagan’s Presidency

Bye Bye Jimmy