1. The Carter Presidency
Ch. 31
Sec. 3 Pp

2. The Election of 1976
Ford restored confidence in government, but Watergate was still fresh in minds
Democrats ran Carter/Mondale
Ronald Reagan challenged Ford for the Republican nomination

3. The Election of 1976 Ford stressed his achievements
Carter promised to clean up government
Carter won the election
African Americans in the south were Carter supporters

4. An Informal Presidency
Washington “outsider”
Wore business suit to inauguration, not formal clothing
Wanted to be seen as an average American

5. Struggling with the Economy
Carter increased federal spending and decreased taxes
Unemployment decreased, but inflation occurred
Carter then proposed spending cuts and a delayed tax cut
Reversal made him look weak
Since outsider, had trouble getting Congress to support programs

6. Energy Crisis
Trade deficit – value of foreign goods exceeded the value of domestic goods
National Energy Plan – created Dept. of Energy, research alternative fuels, taxes to encourage domestic oil production, and energy conservation

7. Nuclear Power March 1979 – major accident at Three Mile Island in PA
10% of U.S. energy came from nuclear power
Anti-nuclear movement spreads
Carter did not want to halt the nuclear energy program