President Gerald Ford Unable to accomplish much while in office – Pardoned Nixon for Watergate (unpopular) – Many felt he was involved with Watergate scandal – Americans never supported him – Ran for President in 1976, but lost to Jimmy Carter in a landslide – Only President to serve in that position but never be elected President

Jimmy Carter’s Presidency

“Right Man at Right Time” Pres. Carter elected because: – He seemed honest – Very religious – Had never worked in DC – Simply put: HE WAS NOT NIXON

Carter’s Goals Tried (but failed) to bring down inflation (prices kept going up, but not income) Created the Dept. of Energy – Wanted people to use less fuel – Limit use of foreign oil – Supported alternative energy sources

Carter and the Environment Passed the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act – Protected 100 million acres of land – Doubled size of national parks and wildlife refuge

Crisis: Three Mile Island Problem occurred at nuclear plant in PA Concern that radiation would be released into environment People were evacuated

Three Mile Island Today

Crisis: Love Canal Incident Toxic waste site uncovered in NY Resulted in high rate of birth defects NY bought 200 homes in area and began cleaning area

Carter’s Foreign Policy Key Phrase = Human Rights Would target countries who violated human rights and encourage them to change

Carter FoPo, cont. US + USSR sign SALT II – limited certain nuclear weapons Agreed to return control of Panama Canal to Panama in 1999 Formally recognized China as a country

Camp David Accords Carter brought leaders of Israel and Egypt (long time enemies) together to make peace Both countries agreed to work together on Middle East Issues – Make lasting peace – Recognize each other as countries

Soviets Invade Afghanistan Trying to keep Communist government in the country US Response = – Block grain to USSR – US boycott of Olympics in Moscow – Very unpopular with Americans – Made Carter and the US look weak

Iranian Hostage Crisis Islamic leader came to power in Iran (anti-US) American embassy workers in Iran taken hostage by govt. supported students Carter’s Response = – Tried to work out peaceful agreement for their return – Failed military mission (plane crashed) – WEAK!!

American Hostages in Iran

Iranians Burning American Flag

US Helicopter Wreckage in Iran

End of Carter Foreign Policy problems make him look weak Hostage crisis brings gas prices up Carter loses election of 1980 to Ronald Reagan On day of Reagan’s inauguration, hostages were released

Release of Iranian Hostages