Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter Notes

Proposition 13

A California ballot measure passed in 1978 that limits property tax increases.

United Organization of Taxpayers (UOT)

The organization that collected 1.25 million signatures to place Proposition 13 on the ballot.

Inflation

A general increase in prices and fall in the purchasing value of money, notably affecting California homeowners in the 1970s.

Prosperity Theology

A belief that economic success is a sign of God’s favor, promoted by various preachers.

Ronald Reagan

The president elected in 1980, who narrowly won in a state that had previously supported George McGovern in 1972.

Evangelicals

Christians who emphasize personal faith and evangelism, with a significant increase in followers by the 1980s.

Vatican II

A major council that aimed to address relationships between the Catholic Church and the modern world.

Roe v. Wade

The 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States, opposed by many conservatives.

Archie Bunker

A fictional character from the TV show 'All in the Family,' representing backlash against liberal values.

War Powers Resolution

A 1973 law requiring the president to consult Congress before deploying military forces.

OPEC

Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, which had significant influence on global oil prices.

Camp David Accords

A peace treaty brokered by Carter between Israel and Egypt, resulting in mutual recognition and territorial concessions.

Iranian Revolution

The overthrow of the Shah in 1979, leading to the establishment of an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Khomeini.

Hyperinflation

An extremely high and typically accelerating rate of inflation, peaking at 14% in the late 1970s.

Three Mile Island

The site of a nuclear accident in 1979 that led to heightened fears and regulations regarding nuclear power.

Détente

The easing of tensions between the US and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Energy Crisis

A period of fuel shortages, particularly in the 1970s, leading to economic strain and political reactions.

Carter's National Energy Program

An initiative aimed at reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil and promoting energy conservation.

SALT II

Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty II, aimed at limiting nuclear weapons, signed by Carter and Brezhnev.

Jimmy Carter

The U.S. president from 1977 to 1981, known for his energy policies, focus on human rights, and the Iran hostage crisis.

Economic Stagnation

A prolonged period of slow economic growth, contributing to unemployment and inflation during Carter's presidency.

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan

The 1979 military invasion by the USSR, which heightened Cold War tensions and challenged Carter's foreign policy.