GERALD R. FORD Only unelected VP & P Only unelected VP & P First appointed VP under 25 th Amend. Longest living P – 93 / died 2006 Republican; Michigan Republican; Michigan Wife Betty – supporter of equal rights for women & abortion Wife Betty – supporter of equal rights for women & abortion “Whip Inflation Now” “Whip Inflation Now” –Inflation, unemployment, oil crisis Salt I Treaty, 1974 Salt I Treaty, 1974 –froze the number of strategic ballistic missile launchers of U.S. & Soviets at existing levels Political Suicide: pardons Nixon Political Suicide: pardons Nixon Fall of South Vietnam & evacuation of Saigon, April 1975; fall of Laos & Cambodia Fall of South Vietnam & evacuation of Saigon, April 1975; fall of Laos & Cambodia Bicentennial Celebration July ‘76 Bicentennial Celebration July ‘76 Leslie Lynch King, Jr.

Assassination Attempts Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme – Sacramento, CA, Sept. 5, 1975 Follower of incarcerated cult leader Charles Manson Pointing gun at his stomach, but stopped by Secret Service Sarah Jane Moore – 17 days later in San Francisco Former Marine deflected her shot Both sentenced to life imprisonment – both now out on parole

Physical clumsiness ….

Issues of the Day: Watergate (Impeachment, pardon of Nixon), US confidence in Southeast Asia

JIMMY CARTER Peanut farmer; GA Peanut farmer; GA Democrat with a “down- home, plain folks” style Democrat with a “down- home, plain folks” style Running mate is Walter Mondale Running mate is Walter Mondale Capitalizes on being a Washington “outsider” Capitalizes on being a Washington “outsider” Focus on moral issues & human rights; promises “never to lie to the American people” Focus on moral issues & human rights; promises “never to lie to the American people” Panama Canal Treaty returns control back to Panama by 2000 Panama Canal Treaty returns control back to Panama by 2000 A micro-manager

Full Amnesty to all Vietnam draft dodgers – very controversial Full Amnesty to all Vietnam draft dodgers – very controversial Advocates nuclear power to solve energy problems Advocates nuclear power to solve energy problems –But, THREE MILE ISLAND, PA meltdown – –Most significant accident in the history of the American commercial nuclear power generating industry –“Hell no, we won’t glow!”

FOREIGN AFFAIRS : SALT II – never ratified by Senate but honored ‘til ’86 when Reagan withdrew based on Soviet violations SALT II – never ratified by Senate but honored ‘til ’86 when Reagan withdrew based on Soviet violations Camp David Accords: Camp David Accords: –“ended” 30 yrs. of conflict –Begin & Sadat brought to Camp David –Israel returned land in Sinai peninsula in exchange for recognition by Egypt –Carter’s greatest success –But, Sadat assassinated back home in Egypt

AFGHANISTAN: AFGHANISTAN: –Soviet invasion in Dec. ’79 –To insure a pro-Soviet regime –Carter stops sale of grain; boycotts 1980 Moscow Olympics

THE IRANIAN HOSTAGE CRISIS

Carter’s Greatest Failure: Carter’s Greatest Failure: IRANIAN HOSTAGE CRISIS: IRANIAN HOSTAGE CRISIS: –Religious leader, Ayatollah Khomeini overthrows Shah & takes control of Iran - Iran a “religious state” - theocracy - Shah fled to U.S.; Iranian rebels then seized American Embassy in 11/79 & held 60 embassy workers hostage – held for 444 days –Demands return of Shah (& his wealth) in exchange for the hostages

Blacks & women freed but 52 others kept and held for 444 days in captivity (tied to chairs 24 hours/day) Blacks & women freed but 52 others kept and held for 444 days in captivity (tied to chairs 24 hours/day) Carter halts Iranian oil imports & freezes all Iranian assets in U.S.; didn’t work Carter halts Iranian oil imports & freezes all Iranian assets in U.S.; didn’t work Failed rescue attempt – killed 8; Carter widely criticized; his greatest failure Failed rescue attempt – killed 8; Carter widely criticized; his greatest failure Hostages released on Reagan’s inauguration Hostages released on Reagan’s inauguration