The Presidencies of Gerald R Ford James Jimmy

The Presidencies of Gerald R. Ford & James “Jimmy” Carter

Stagflation

The Presidency of Gerald R. Ford August 9, 1974 - January 20, 1977

Major Accomplishment • Took over in August of 1974 – “Our long national nightmare is finally over. ” – He could not hold a press conference, or go anywhere, without people asking about the punishment of Nixon • Ford grants President Nixon an absolute and “Unconditional Pardon” (1974) – Made his popularity go down – The vast majority of the American people wanted Nixon to be punished • Lost “re-election” in 1976 to Gov. of Georgia

Major Accomplishments • Helsinki Accords – Pres. Ford carried out Pres. Nixon’s policy of Détente. – The was an agreement between Canada, the Soviet Union, most European Countries and the US. – Respecting borders, and human rights.

The Presidency of Jimmy Carter January 20, 1977 to January 20, 1981

A Close Election • Jimmy Carter became the 39 th President of the United States in 1977 • Carter narrowly defeated the incumbent, Gerald Ford https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=K 8 wi ic-ivro

Carter’s First Days in Office • 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.

The Camp David Accords • One of Carter’s first challenges was to deal with religious tensions in the Middle East between Israelis and Arab Muslims • 1978 - Sadat and Begin accept an invitation to meet at Camp David and work out a peace agreement. • 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 • An agreement is signed and is called “The Camp David Accord”

Domestic Problems • 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

Energy Crisis • 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 (cont) • 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.

Iran Hostage Crisis • 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 (Cont) • 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) • 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