The Ford Administration August 1974 Ford becomes president

The Ford Administration • August 1974: Ford becomes president – The first non-elected President (and vice president)

• September 1974, Ford gave Nixon a full pardon of all offenses he may have committed, avoiding further prosecution – Very negative public reaction

• Continued diplomacy: – First president to visit Japan – Visits China – Continued SALT talks with Soviet Union

Carter Administration • Not part of the “Washington establishment”

• Facilitated the Camp David Accords – Helped prevent a major Arab-Israeli war • Panama Canal – Returned canal to local control

• US vs. Soviet Union tension remained – SALT II – S. U. invaded Afghanistan – US boycotted 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow

• Iran Hostage Crisis – 52 US embassy workers held hostage 444 days

• Carter promoted new energy efforts – Created the Department of Energy – Need new energy instead of oil – National Energy Act of 1978 – Controversy with Three Mile Island

• Carter granted amnesty to Vietnam draft dodgers

• Carter is the oldest former still-living U. S. president

Reagan Administration • Former movie actor in Hollywood • Democrat turned Republican • Oldest elected president

• Increased U. S. military size and technology – Soviet criticism – Increased U. S. deficit

• 1981 notables: – wounded in assassination attempt – AIDS discovered – Sandra Day O’Connor appointed first female U. S. Supreme Court justice