Jimmy Carter 1976 1980 Living Room Candidate http

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Jimmy Carter 1976 -1980

Jimmy Carter 1976 -1980

Living Room Candidate http: //www. livingroomcandidate. org/ Political campaign ads Election of 1976

Living Room Candidate http: //www. livingroomcandidate. org/ Political campaign ads Election of 1976

Crash Course Ford, Carter, and the Economic Malaise: Crash Course US History #42 https:

Crash Course Ford, Carter, and the Economic Malaise: Crash Course US History #42 https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=py. N 5 LPHEQ_ 0 13 min

James Earl Carter won the presidency in 1976 because he was an outsider from

James Earl Carter won the presidency in 1976 because he was an outsider from Georgia who was considered honest and a man of integrity. He wanted to make government more responsive to the people.

He had popular appeal as someone not a part of Washington Politics, however, his

He had popular appeal as someone not a part of Washington Politics, however, his lack of understanding of the nuances involved in federal politics blocked his ability to accomplish goals.

Carter Foreign Policy Issues: Helsinki Accords 1975 These documents signed by the US and

Carter Foreign Policy Issues: Helsinki Accords 1975 These documents signed by the US and other nations promised to respect basic human rights. Carter felt that the US should deny aid to nations that violated human rights.

Middle East – Camp David [Shangri-la] Accords 1977 Carter invited the President of Egypt,

Middle East – Camp David [Shangri-la] Accords 1977 Carter invited the President of Egypt, Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister, Menachem Begin to Camp David the Presidential Retreat in Maryland, to hammer out terms for a peace treaty ending the conflict between the two nations. The two leaders signed the Camp David Accords in 1979.

Panama Canal Treaties 1977 The US had controlled the Panama Canal since it was

Panama Canal Treaties 1977 The US had controlled the Panama Canal since it was built, Carter signed two treaties promising to turn over the canal to Panama in 1999.

Détente 1979 -1980 Carter had met with Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev to negotiate the

Détente 1979 -1980 Carter had met with Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev to negotiate the SALT II Treaty in 1979. Later that year, the Soviets invaded Afghanistan (which was to become Russia’s “Vietnam”). This action ended Détente. Carter cut off grain shipments to the USSR and the US boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympic Games held in Moscow.

Hostage Crisis 1979 -1980 The US had backed the Shah of Iran. In 1979,

Hostage Crisis 1979 -1980 The US had backed the Shah of Iran. In 1979, a revolution headed by Islamic Fundamentalists overthrew the unpopular shah from office and placed the exiled Ayatollah Khomeini in charge with a government based upon Islamic Law. The shah suffering from cancer, asked to come to the US for treatment. Carter agreed to allow the shah into the US. Islamic rebels struck back by seizing the US embassy in Teheran and holding more than 50 Americans hostage.

Carter did not win re-election. He continued to work toward the release of the

Carter did not win re-election. He continued to work toward the release of the hostages. There was a “botched” attempt at freeing them ending in the crash of the commando rescue plane. Shortly after Ronald Reagan took the oath of office on inauguration day 1980, the hostages were released after more than a year as captives.

Carter Domestic Policy Issues: Stagflation The economy continued to get worse. Inflation was joined

Carter Domestic Policy Issues: Stagflation The economy continued to get worse. Inflation was joined with rising unemployment. The welfare programs of previous administrations drained the federal government. The economy seemed to be stalled in place. This stagnation of the economy and simultaneous inflation of prices became known as stagflation.

Corporate Bailouts The economy was suffering. An unequal balance of trade led American businesses

Corporate Bailouts The economy was suffering. An unequal balance of trade led American businesses toward bankruptcy. There were massive layoffs. The federal government authorized huge loans to corporations to keep them in business.

Energy Problems Since the US was the world’s leading industrial power, it was also

Energy Problems Since the US was the world’s leading industrial power, it was also the number one consumer of energy. By the late 1970’s, the US imported more than 40 percent of its oil. OPEC kept prices high and American dollars flowed out of the country worsening the trade deficit.

Nuclear Energy Carter had supported nuclear energy as an alternative to coal and oil.

Nuclear Energy Carter had supported nuclear energy as an alternative to coal and oil. In 1979 an accident at Three Mile Island Nuclear Plant near Harrisburg, PA occurred. This deeply concerned the public and led to greater needs to develop other alternative resources.

Environmental Problems Industrial pollution contaminated the air, water and land. Acid rain, created by

Environmental Problems Industrial pollution contaminated the air, water and land. Acid rain, created by toxic air pollution, threatened forests, lakes and wildlife. Pres. Nixon had taken steps to protect the environment by creating the Environmental Protection Agency.

Pres. Carter supported environmental initiatives, but had little money to support these programs. During

Pres. Carter supported environmental initiatives, but had little money to support these programs. During his presidency, the issue of pollution directly affecting the lives of citizens surfaces at the Love Canal outside Niagara Falls, NY. Here chemicals dumped by Hooker Chemical led to illnesses and death, eventually leading to the government relocation of citizens.