1. The Presidency of Jimmy Carter

2. Jimmy Carter became the 39 th President of the United States in 1977 Carter narrowly defeated the incumbent, Gerald Ford A Close Election

3. Carter hoped to make government more caring and compassionate He surprised people by getting out of his limo and walking to the site of his inauguration One of Carter’s first actions as President was to pardon all of the people who had dodged the draft during the Vietnam war. Carter’s First Days in Office

4. One of Carter’s first challenges was to deal with religious tensions in the Middle East between Israelis and Arab Muslims Middle East leaders such as Anwar Sadat from Egypt and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin begin discussion with Carter Israel elects a new Prime Minister, Menachem Begin 1978- Sadat and Begin accept an invitation to meet at Camp David and work out a peace agreement. An agreement is signed and is called “The Camp David Accord” The Camp David Accord

5. Imagine that you are meeting to discuss ways to reach a peace in the Middle East. Discuss among your group how you will reach a peace despite your differences. Assume one of the following roles: 1. The Prime Minister of Israel 2. The President of Egypt 3. The Shah of Iran 4. The Prime Minister of Palestine 5. The President of the U.S. Role Play #1

6. There were serious economic issues in the U.S. during Carter’s presidency The country was in a recession and was suffering from inflation Energy became an issue of serious concern in the US Domestic Problems

7. Arab members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) dramatically raised prices for all customers in 1979 Gas prices rose from $0.50 to as high as $2.86 per gallon in December Gas stations were unable to purchase enough fuel to meet the demand Energy Crisis

8. Lines of angry motorists formed at gas stations Truckers blockade expressways and set off the nation's first energy riot, resulting in two nights of violence. Carter diagnosed a “crisis of confidence” and urged citizens to build their character by coping with austerity. Energy Crisis (cont)

9. The President Addresses the Nation Click screen to play (5 min 11 seconds)

10. You are meeting to discuss the energy crisis of 1979. How will deal with your inability to obtain fuel for your various transportation needs? What things will you ask your Mayor, Governor, and Senator to do? Assume one of the following roles: 1. American Consumer 2. President of the School Board 3. Mayor of your town 4. The Governor of your state 5. A U.S. Senator Role Play #2

11. In October of 1979, Carter allows the ailing Shah of Iran to enter the U.S. for medical treatment Furious that the Shah was welcomed in America, militant students overrun the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, seizing 66 hostages. The 444-day Iranian hostage crisis begins. Iran Hostage Crisis

12. In November, the Iranians release 13 black and female hostages, keeping 53 captive. A rescue mission, called "Desert One," ends in disaster. Two helicopters fail, and a third crashes into a plane during takeoff. The Secretary of State resigns over the decision to proceed with the mission. Iran Hostage Crisis (Cont)

13. In September of 1980, Iran says they are willing to negotiate the release of the hostages. Negotiations fail and Iran refuses to release the hostages prior to the 1980 election. Carter is badly beaten in the election and the hostages are released minutes after Ronald Reagan is sworn in as President Iran Hostage Crisis (Cont)

14. You are meeting to discuss the Iran hostage situation. How will deal with the situation? Will you attempt to settle it peacefully or is war an option? What will you say to Iran? What might they say in return? Assume one of the following roles: 1. President of the United States 2. Family member of one of the hostages 3. Representative from Iran 4. General in the U.S. Military 5. U.S. Secretary of Defense Role Play #3