President Carter
Catherine Cain: Chapter 40
Election of Carter
Election of 1976
Democrat- jimmy carter- WON
Promises to never lie to American public
297 electoral votes
40,825,839 popular votes
Republican - Gerald Ford
240 electoral votes
39,147,770 popular votes
Humanitarian Efforts
Humanitarian Diplomacy
champion for human rights
Rhodesia (today Zimbabwe) & South Africa fought for black rights
Camp David Accord- September 17, 1918
President Anwar Sadat of Egypt & Prime Minister Menachem Begin of Israel → signed peace accord
mediated by Carter- great success in preventing war in Middle East
Israel agreed w/ draw from territory gained in 1967 war in return Egypt had to respect Israel's territories
- Carter pledged return Panama Canal to Panama year 2000 & resume full diplomatic relations w/ China in 1979
Economic & Energy Issues
Troubles
1974- prices rising rapidly (rate more than 10% /year) = “double digit inflation”
1974- ^^^ dramatically oil prices from OPEC
=
1979- inflation 13%
Carter problems roots:
US dependence on foreign oil
called for legislation improve energy conservation → little public support
1978-- convinced Congress pass an $18 billion tax cut
Despite this... economy continued to fail
Although early in his presidency relatively popular, popularity of President Carter soon dropped as world events took turn for worse
1979- Carter Energy Crisis
Energy Crisis
Iran
1979- Iran’s shah Mohammad Reza Pahlevi→ installed by US 1953 & ruled as a dictator → → OVERTHROWN
succeeded by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini
Iran fundamentalists-- very opposed of West customs → why Iran stopped exporting oil
OPEC raised oil prices = oil crises
July 1979- President Carter- @ Camp David- met w/ hundreds of advisers to contemplate solution to America’s problems
July 15, 1979-- Carter chastised US people for obsession of material woes ("If it's cold, turn down the thermostat and put on a sweater.") → stunned the nation
Few days later-- fired 4 cabinet secretaries & tightened circle around advisers
Beginning of Iranian hostage crisis 1979
Iranian Hostage Crisis
US hostages were in cruel captivity (mobs burned down US flag) by other dance place
Carter 1st tried--economic sanctions to force release of hostages → failed
2nd-- commando rescue mission → aborted
2 military aircraft collided (8 of would-be rescuers killed)
January 20, 1981-- hostages not released until inauguration day of Ronald Reagan