2. The Ford and carter years
US History

3. Gerald Ford
Popular football star from University of Michigan; won national championships in 1932 & 33.
Served in the navy during WWII
Served in the House of Representatives, becoming Minority leader in 1965.
Hard worker, appeared honest and self-reliant.
Appointed Vice President after Spiro Agnew resigned. Gerald Ford became the first nonelected President.
Ford experienced a relatively warm acceptance to the White House.
Washington hoped Ford was the one who could redeem the Presidency.

4. Nixon Pardoned Ford goes about setting the country right
“Our long national nightmare is over”
In September of 1974, one month after Ford became President, he pardoned Nixon for “all offenses” he might have committed.
The pardon angered many.
Some suspected a bargain between the two had been made.
Many Nixon staffers faced jail time, as he walked free.
Ford’s Presidency, while conservative, was brief and mired by the stain of Watergate and the pardon.
Ford Bio

5. Election of 1976 Ford faced a primary challenge from other Republicans
California Governor, Ronald Reagan opposed Ford for the nomination
Reagan was far more conservative than Ford
Reagan and other Republicans were angry that Ford did not do more to help the South Vietnamese army in 1975.
Ford is eventually nominated but is damaged by the process
The Democrats nominate Georgia Governor, Jimmy Carter
Carter, former Navy officer. Former peanut farmer
Positioned as an outsider

6. Carter Wins Carter is a soft spoken southerner
Carter is a liberal Democrat
Installs solar panels on the White House
America faces severe economic issues
The economy slows down
Inflation climbs
Creating “stagflation”
On top of that gas becomes scarce

7. Iranian Revolution/Energy Crisis
In 1979, Islamists in Iran overthrow the Shah (King) of Iran
Iran is a key controller of world oil
The revolution pressures world supply
Revolutionary Iran is not a friend of the US
The US needs to figure out how to handle the shortage
Lines at gasoline stations
Rationing
Even/Odd day fill ups
Carter attempts leadership
Famously encourages Americans to lower their home thermostats, wear cardigans

8. Carter’s Successes
One signature achievement that Carter earned was a break through in foreign policy
In 1977, Carter brokers a peace agreement between Israel and Egypt.
This is the first attempt by the US to establish peace in the Middle East.
These discussions become known as “The Camp David Accords”

9. Iranian Hostage Crisis
During the Revolution, Americans working at the Embassy were not able to evacuate
66 Americans in the Embassy were held hostage in Iran as a result of the revolution.
The hostages were held for 444 days (November 1979 – January 1981)
Americans are rapt by the story
Carter attempts a rescue but it fails
This incident damages Carter’s reputation severely

10. Carter After Presidency
1981, returned to his peanut farm in Georgia.
Has led a very active life
Teaching at University of Atlanta
Expanding Habitat for Humanity
Written books
Established the Carter Center
The non-profit, nongovernmental Center promotes democracy, mediates and prevents conflicts, and monitors the electoral process in support of free and fair elections.
Won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
Cancer scare in 2015, but now in remission.
At 92, he is the oldest president to attend a presidential inauguration
Carter Bio

11. The Election of 1980
Carter is challenged for the Democratic nomination by Ted Kennedy, further damaging Carter.
The Republicans nominate Ronald Reagan
Reagan is a great communicator
Nicknames “The Great Communicator”
Reagan wins handily
This is seen as the start of the “Reagan Revolution”
Conservatism finally found it’s champion