Carter & Reagan

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• Who were the two primary candidates in the 1976 election, and which candidate won?

The 1976 election was between Republican Gerald Ford and Democrat Jimmy Carter. Ford struggled with the Watergate pardon, stagnant economy, inflation, and soaring oil prices. Carter claimed to neither be liberal or conservative and that he would never lie to you. He was viewed as a “political outsider” and a born again Baptist. Carter won 297-240.

• Define “stagflation”

Stagflation is high inflation and a stagnant economy.

• Explain Salt II Treaty

The Salt II Treaty was an extension of Salt I talks under Nixon’s administration. It directly aimed to reduce nuclear strategic weapons between the Soviets and the US. It was never implemented because of the Soviets invasion of Afganistan.

• Explain how Carter attempted to improve the economy and what did he believe was one of the biggest problems the economy faced?

Carter believed that inflation was a bigger issue than unemployment. He cut social programs which caused deep opposition within his party (inflation rate is eventually reduced). He made human rights a primary issue and connected human rights to foreign aid (cancelled/cut back financial aid to countries like Argentina, Chile, and Nicaragua). He halted sales of weapons/equipment to the Apartheid government of South Africa and threatened other nations about similar steps if they don’t address their human rights records.

• Explain the Camp David Accords (identify countries involved and explain what it did and what problems were ignored during this agreement)

The Camp David Accords (1982) was a peace deal brokered by Jimmy Carter between Egypt and Israel. In 1973, the two nations were at war, but Israel won with help of the U.S. Egypt’s president believed that peace was necessary for Egypt’s progress. Israel’s Prime Minister was skeptical and urged a harsh policy against Arabs and anyone who challenged Israel’s security. After 2 weeks, the Sinai peninsula, which had important natural resources like copper and turquoise, would be returned in exchange for Egypt recognizing Israel’s sovereignty.

It ended the cycles of many wars between Egypt and Israel, reopened the Suez Canal to Israeli shipping, and established a framework for future Middle East diplomacy.

No clear path was established for Palestinian hood, the status of West Bank and Gaza Strip remained a flash point, and Egypt was temporarily expelled from the Arab League for “betraying” the cause.

• Explain what the Three Mile Island accident was and what were the consequences of it

Carter pushed for the expansion of nuclear energy and viewed it as an inexpensive way of meeting energy needs. By 1977, the US had 200 nuclear plants operating. In March of 1979, an accident at Three Mile Island almost killed the industry when radioactive steam was released into the atmosphere. It reinforced fear of nuclear energy.

• Explain what the “crisis of confidence” speech was and what the overall message was

Carter continued to focus his attention to energy since he viewed it as one of the contributing factors to inflation. In 1979, he gave a televised address where he discussed a moral and spiritual crisis (“crisis of confidence”). This part of his speech is what his opponents attacked and claimed Carter was blaming the public for the failures of the government.

• Explain the events of the Iranian hostage crisis, parties involved, and the outcome and consequences of it for Carter

In 1979, the Iranian Revolution removed the Shah from power. Iran would embrace orthodox Islamic values. Carter allowed the Shah into the US for cancer treatment, which upset many Iranian revolutionaries. Iranian youths responded by storming the US Embassy and taking 52 Americans hostage. The Iranian government wanted the Shah for the hostages. The Crisis ended after 444 days in January of 1981. The hostages were released minutes after Reagan was sworn into office.

• Identify what “operation eagle claw” was and why it was a failure

Americans demanded military action, but Carter had limited options. In April of 1980, Carter authorized a secret raid called Operation Eagle Claw to free the hostages. The operation ended in failure with 8 American soldiers dying in a helicopter crash.

• Who were the primary candidates in the 1980 election

The 1980 election was between Carter and Reagan.

• Who did Reagan garner support from, and what were some of his positions on cultural issues

Reagan won the support of the religious right and family value upholders. He opposed abortion rights, favored creationism, and proposed ramping up the arms race/military spending. He announced plans to create a commission to research the pornography industry.

• Who won the election of 1980 and what victory did Reagan achieve almost immediately after being inaugurated?

The 1980 election was a landslide victory for Reagan. He became the first divorced man to run and win the White House. He was also the only union leader to win the White House. He almost immediately achieved the release of the 52 American hostages in Iran.