24.3 FORD, CARTER

“A FORD, NOT A LINCOLN…”

• Gerald Ford became Pres. when Nixon resigned.• Not an exciting guy…

• His economic strategy, “WIN”: Whip Inflation Now.• He hoped Americans would stop over-using gas• He also cut back money supply/inflation

• Led to worst economy since the Great Depression

“A FORD, NOT A LINCOLN…”• Ford continued to negotiate with Commies

• Even got the Soviets to sign the “Helsinki Accords”• Doc. that pledge all countries will improve human

rights in their own countries

PEANUT FARMER PRESIDENT• Jimmy Carter was a quiet,

humble, trustworthy former-governor of Georgia• Everything Nixon wasn’t…

• He tended to stay isolated in Washington, didn’t reach out even to other Democrats

PEANUT FARMER PRESIDENT• Carter made energy and the environment a big

deal for his administration• The National Energy Act tried to ease our gas-

guzzling ways and promote “green energy”• When OPEC raised oil prices again in 1979,

Carter appeared to just give up

PEANUT FARMER PRESIDENT• Our economy shifting towards services

instead of manufacturing required a higher-trained work force• We “outsourced” manufacturing jobs to

competitors like Japan and South Korea• Carter did hire many minorities into high

govt. positions…• But he did not pass much Civil Rights laws

PEANUT FARMER PRESIDENT• Carter emphasized human rights in foreign policy

• And would negotiate with leaders who treated their people poorly

• He increased tensions with the Soviets• And didn’t end up supporting SALT II on missile

launchers signed

CARTER IN THE MIDDLE EAST• Carter jumped in and saved peace talks

between Egypt and Israel in 1977• They met with him in at Camp David and

signed the Camp David Accords• Israel has still had problems with its other

Arab neighbors…

CARTER IN THE MIDDLE EAST• 1979 Iranian Revolution: hard-core Islamists

overthrow the U.S.-backed “shah” (king)• They also take over the U.S. Embassy in Tehran

(the capital) and hold 52 American hostages• Negotiations w/ Carter failed, they were released

hours after Reagan took office

CARTER SINCE HIS PRESIDENCY• Founded the “Carter Center” that promotes

democratic elections, peace, and helping poor countries• This group won the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize