The Ford and Carter Years

1
The Ford and Carter Years

• Gerald R. Ford
• WIN
• Jimmy Carter
• Camp David Accords
• Iran Hostages
• Ronald Reagan

2
Gerald R. Ford

• Ford too office after Nixon resigned
• Only president never elected by a national
  audience
• Pardoned Richard Nixon for any crimes he may have
  committed while pres.

3
WIN

• For tried to tackle domestic issues
• Whip Inflation Now
• Encouraged people to cut back on oil and gas use
  to try to curb gas usage and lower prices
• No incentives to do so
• Fuel shortages

4
Jimmy Carter

• Election of 1976
• Governor of Georgia
• America wanted a Washington outsider
• Upset with feds.
• Thought govt was corrupt
• Watergate signaled the beginning of Americas
  distrust of govt

5
Camp David Accords

• Israel and Egypt
• Jew vs. Muslim
• Israel-Menachem Begin
• Egypt-Anwar el-Sadat
• Carter was able to get both sides to talk about
  issues in the Middle East and work for peace

6
CD Accords cont.

• Israel agreed to withdraw form Sinai Peninsula
• Seized form Egypt during the 6 Day war in 67
• Egypt agreed to recognize Israel
• Big step for Muslim country
• Major first step towards peace in the Middle East
• Sadat was assassinated in 1981

7
Iran

• 1979 Shah of Iran is overthrown by religious
  fundamentalists
• Carter supported the Shah
• Gave Shah asylum in the US
• New govt was angry and took 52 US hostages from
  the embassy in 79

8
Iran Hostages

• Carter was ordered by Iran to return the Shah for
  trial and punishment and the hostages would be
  freed
• Carter refused
• Rescue mission attempted but failed because of
  accident
• Carter was unwilling to go to war

9
Election of 1980

• Ronald Reagan
• Government of California
• Former actor
• Former democrat during the 30s
• Carter lost
• Since the hostages were not free, carter lost the
  election

10
Iran Hostages cont.

• Jan. 20, 1981
• Hostages freed minutes after Reagan too the oath
  of office
• Punishment for Carter by Iranians
• 444 days in captivity
• Many of the hostage takers are or were important
  members of the Iranian govt