1. Carter’s Challenges
1st – issued thousands of pardons to men that avoided the draft during Vietnam.
Economy: Inflation and Unemployment
- did create many jobs during the 1970s
Energy Crisis –
Easing dependence on foreign oil.
Developing new energy means, conservation
Established the Department of Energy

2. Environment Concerns Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation
Protect 100 million acres of forest – doubled the size of U.S. national forest
Nuclear Power plants – what to do with wastes?

3. Carter’s Foreign Policy
Appointed many African Americans, Women, and Hispanic Americans to serve as ambassadors.
Human Rights – main concern
Have high standards in the treatment of citizens for every country.

4. Soviet Union Relations
Treaty in 1979 – SALT II – limits on certain kinds of nuclear weapons
Soviet Union will ignore Carter when it comes to Human Rights.

5. Panama Canal Treaties
1977 – Panama’s leaders will control the canal by the end of 1999.
This would represent a decline in American power.
We gave land and an easy access to the Pacific and Atlantic

6. Recognizing China 1979 – formally recognized China as a country.
This would mean that the U.S. would officially recognize only one China – The Communist People’s Republic

7. Camp David Accords
Israel and Egypt feud – two nations fought often in the 1950’s – 1970’s
1978 – Carter invited Egyptian President Anwar el-Sadat and Israeli prime minister Menachem Begin.
Discuss solutions to the rivalry – it was a huge success.
Sadat and Begin won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

8. International Crisis 1979 – events overwhelmed Carter’s Presidency.
1978 – Afghanistan was overthrown by communist leaders friendly to U.S.S.R.
1979 – the gov was unstable – Soviets invade to keep communist control.
This would be a test for Carter – how would he handle the Soviets.
Carter will block shipments of grain to the Soviets
US would not take part in the Olympics in 1980, that were held in the Soviet Union
This hurt both countries, public did not like, it made the U.S. look weak.

9. Iranian Hostage Crisis
1979 – revolution in Iran, overthrew the shah.
Iran would be under control of Islamic religious leader – Ayatolla – preached anti America.
October – U.S. allowed the shah come to America for treatment for cancer
This outraged many Iranians – they attacked the U.S. embassy in Tehran.
Captured dozens of American employees.
President Carter’s talks to get the hostages back went nowhere.
Carter approved a military assault- failed badly – Carter hurt his chances for re election.

10. Crisis of Confidence
Presidential Election of 1980 – Iranian Hostage Crisis was a big issue.
Events in Iran disrupted the production of oil there.
Gasoline Prices shot up in 1979.
Inflation soared – economy struggled
Many voters will hold him responsible for the crisis of confidence.

11. Regents of University of Berkeley v. Bakke (1978)
Supreme Court case to consider constitutionality of reverse discrimination.
Alan Bakke applied to medical school and was not accepted.
Berkeley set certain number of places for minority applicants.
That meant lower qualified applicants could get his spot.
Ruling – it is unconstitutional to achieve diversity through the use of racial quotas.