The Carter Years

From the Watergate Woes to the turn Towards Conservatism

1976

The Bicentennial – YAY!

•Watergate•Saigon•Bad economy

BOO!

Election of 1976: Republicans

Former CA Governor Ronald Reagan challenges President Ford for the nomination.

Ford succeeds on first ballot and chooses Kansas Senator Robert Dole as his VP pick.

Election of 1976: DemocratsGeorgia Governor James Earl “Jimmy” Carter, Jr. seemingly comes out of nowhere to secure Democratic nomination.

He is from the conservative side of the Democratic party

He chooses Sen. Walter Mondale – a liberal from Minnesota – as his VP pick.

Ford’s Record•Pardoned Nixon after Watergate

•Respected, but seen as ineffective

•Foreign policy achievements•SALT I treaty•Helsinkini Final Act

•Presides over high inflation and high unemployment

Lampooned by Chevy Chase on Saturday Night Live.

Campaign Issues•Leadership

•Character

•The Economy

Results

Who are they?Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense

Dick Cheney, Chief of Staff

I hope these guys can find jobs again someday…

Carter’s Priorities

•Return government to the people

•Restore decency and good government

•End waste

•Improve America’s standing in the world

•Human Rights

Panama

• In 1977, Carter negotiates with government of Panama

• Torrijos-Carter Treaty– Canal to be returned to

Panama after midnight December 31, 1999

– Canal will be open to all– US will assure neutrality

Camp David Accords 1978

• From late 70s on, Mideast and Latin America become hot spots

• Through diplomacy, President Jimmy Carter achieves peace and recognition between Egypt and Israel– Menachem Begin & Anwar Sadat– Major breakthrough

Afghanistan

• 1979: Soviet troops invade– Propping up communist regime against mujahideen (predecessors to Taliban)

• President Carter pronounces embargo on 1980 Moscow Olympics

• Known as Soviets’ Vietnam– Withdrew in 1988-89

Critical Thinking

• The US government supported the mujahideen. Why? Was it a good idea?

The Energy Crisis

• OPEC’s policies drive oil prices higher

• Carter takes steps:– Creates Dept. of Energy– Encourages conservation– Alternative energy– Price controls

Stagflation

• Term used to describe high inflation coupled with high unemployment– Carter appoints Paul Volker Fed Chairman– Tight monetary policy

• People don’t like the way things are going– Don’t like being told they have to conserve

The “Malaise” Speech“In a nation that was proud of hard work, strong families, close-knit communities, and our faith in God, too many of us now tend to worship self-indulgence and consumption. Human identity is no longer defined by what one does, but by what one owns. But we've discovered that owning things and consuming things does not satisfy our longing for meaning.

I'm asking you for your good and for your nation's security to take no unnecessary trips, to use carpools or public transportation whenever you can, to park your car one extra day per week, to obey the speed limit, and to set your thermostats to save fuel... I have seen the strength of America in the inexhaustible resources of our people. In the days to come, let us renew that strength in the struggle for an energy-secure nation.”

Critical Thinking

• Given where we are today, was President Carter wrong to chastise the American people?

Iran

• 1979: Islamic Revolution– Overthrow of Shah– Nov. 4: Students storm US Embassy, hold

about 50 US citizens hostage for 444 days

• Carter approves disastrous rescue attempt