Two Really Nice Guys (but not so Great Presidents): The Ford and Carter Administrations

The 1970s: Economic Problems The Watergate scandal wasn’t the only problem the U.S. faced in the early 1970s. The Watergate scandal wasn’t the only problem the U.S. faced in the early 1970s. The economy SLOWS DOWN, leading to INFLATION (higher prices). The economy SLOWS DOWN, leading to INFLATION (higher prices). In addition, many older factories close, putting people out of jobs (higher unemployment). In addition, many older factories close, putting people out of jobs (higher unemployment). Finally, OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) cut off oil supplies to the U.S. because America supports ISRAEL (high gas prices). Finally, OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) cut off oil supplies to the U.S. because America supports ISRAEL (high gas prices).

Gerald Ford

“I’m a Ford, not a Lincoln…” In 1974, Gerald Ford (from Michigan) becomes president. In 1974, Gerald Ford (from Michigan) becomes president. He is not really a flashy guy or a dynamic leader. He is not really a flashy guy or a dynamic leader. His first major act is to PARDON Nixon for any Watergate crimes. Although he believes this is right, his approval rating drops 20 pts. His first major act is to PARDON Nixon for any Watergate crimes. Although he believes this is right, his approval rating drops 20 pts. To deal with inflation, he comes up with the WHIP INFLATION NOW or “WIN” plan – which essentially asks Americans to use less oil and gas. To deal with inflation, he comes up with the WHIP INFLATION NOW or “WIN” plan – which essentially asks Americans to use less oil and gas.

Election of 1976: The Klutz vs. the Peanut Farmer Ford runs again in 1976, but no one is really excited about him. His Democratic opponent is former Georgia governor and peanut farmer JIMMY CARTER. Ford runs again in 1976, but no one is really excited about him. His Democratic opponent is former Georgia governor and peanut farmer JIMMY CARTER. People like Jimmy Carter because he seems to be MORAL, and he was an OUTSIDER to Washington D.C. politics. After Watergate, folks find this refreshing. People like Jimmy Carter because he seems to be MORAL, and he was an OUTSIDER to Washington D.C. politics. After Watergate, folks find this refreshing.

Jimmy Carter

“Meow…” Carter’s energy plan doesn’t work out much better than Ford’s plan. Carter’s energy plan doesn’t work out much better than Ford’s plan. He launches a “Moral Equivalent of War” on energy waste, asking America to find alternate energy sources and cut back on usage. Most people ignore him. He launches a “Moral Equivalent of War” on energy waste, asking America to find alternate energy sources and cut back on usage. Most people ignore him. As another bad oil shortage hits in 1979, Carter gives a speech and says the U.S.had a “crisis of confidence” that needed to be fixed. People feel like Carter is blaming them. This is known as the MALAISE speech. As another bad oil shortage hits in 1979, Carter gives a speech and says the U.S.had a “crisis of confidence” that needed to be fixed. People feel like Carter is blaming them. This is known as the MALAISE speech.

Carter’s Foreign Policy The highlight of Carter’s presidency comes with the CAMP DAVID ACCORDS, where he brings Israel and Egypt together to form a peace treaty. The highlight of Carter’s presidency comes with the CAMP DAVID ACCORDS, where he brings Israel and Egypt together to form a peace treaty. His other foreign policy doesn’t go so well: His other foreign policy doesn’t go so well: He proposes to give the Panama Canal back to Panama in He proposes to give the Panama Canal back to Panama in He has the U.S. BOYCOTT the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow because he said the U.S.S.R. violated human rights. He has the U.S. BOYCOTT the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow because he said the U.S.S.R. violated human rights.

IRAN HOSTAGE CRISIS As Carter is running for re-election in November 1979, Iranian revolutionaries took 52 Americans hostage at the U.S. embassy in Tehran. As Carter is running for re-election in November 1979, Iranian revolutionaries took 52 Americans hostage at the U.S. embassy in Tehran. The revolutionaries were mad that the U.S. had supported the Shah (an unpopular leader there). The revolutionaries were mad that the U.S. had supported the Shah (an unpopular leader there). Carter can’t get the hostages rescued, and it drags on for over a year. This makes many see him as ineffective, and it hurts his ability to get votes. Carter can’t get the hostages rescued, and it drags on for over a year. This makes many see him as ineffective, and it hurts his ability to get votes.