Ford and Carter Administrations: Policies and Key Events

Ford Administration

U.S. presidency from 1974 to 1977.

Carter Administration

U.S. presidency from 1977 to 1981.

Vietnam War

Conflict in Vietnam from 1955 to 1975.

Cold War

Geopolitical tension between U.S. and USSR.

African American History

Study of African American experiences and contributions.

Women's History

Examination of women's roles throughout history.

1976 Election

Carter defeated Ford for presidency.

1980 Election

Carter lost to Reagan.

Nelson Rockefeller

Ford's Vice President.

Walter Mondale

Carter's Vice President.

Henry Kissinger

National Security Adviser and Secretary of State under Ford.

Donald Rumsfeld

Key figure in Ford's administration.

Jody Powell

Press secretary and advisor to Carter.

Hamilton Jordan

Carter's de facto chief of staff.

Burt Lance

Carter's Budget Director in 1977.

Cyrus Vance

Secretary of State under Carter.

Zbigniew Brzezinski

Carter's National Security Adviser.

Iran Hostage Crisis

Crisis involving American hostages in Iran.

Vance's Negotiation Policy

Initial approach favored by Carter.

Brzezinski's Confrontational Stance

Shift in Carter's foreign policy by 1980.

1970s Global Stability Challenges

Issues affecting international relations during the decade.

Ford's Pardon of Nixon

Controversial act granting Nixon immunity from prosecution.

Public Reaction to Pardon

Widespread protest and decline in Ford's popularity.

Gerald R. Ford: An Honorable Life

Book by James Cannon on Ford.

Morality, Reason and Power

Book by Gaddis Smith on Carter's diplomacy.

President Carter: The White House Years

Stuart Eizenstat's account of Carter's presidency.

His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life

Jonathan Alter's biography of Carter.

Ford's Leadership Role

Served as House Minority Leader from 1965-1973.

First Appointed President

Ford was not elected; ascended via appointment.

Ford's Popularity Decline

Dropped from high sixties to high thirties.

Congressional Reaction to Pardon

Angry responses from both parties after Nixon's pardon.

Hungate Committee

House Judiciary Committee investigating Ford's pardon decision.

First President to Testify

Ford was first since Lincoln to testify before Congress.

Pardon Controversy

Ford denied any deal regarding Nixon's resignation.

Economic Decline

Key issue for Ford, linked to global shifts.

Inflation

Main economic problem when Ford took office.

Vietnam Spending Impact

Military spending in Vietnam contributed to 1970s inflation.

WIN Program

Ford's initiative urging Americans to reduce spending.

Public Skepticism

WIN faced doubt from the American public.

Unsuccessful Economic Initiative

WIN did not effectively combat inflation.

Reforming the CIA

Ford aimed to improve CIA operations and oversight.

Kissinger's Role

Kissinger continued as a key advisor under Ford.

Détente Policy

Ford maintained Nixon's strategy of easing tensions with USSR.

Vladivostok Accords

1974 agreement outlining future arms control negotiations.

Shuttle Diplomacy

Kissinger mediated Arab-Israeli conflict to ease oil crisis.

Sinai Agreements

1974-1975 agreements leading to Israeli withdrawal in Sinai.

Normalization with Cuba

Ford's initiative to improve relations with Castro's Cuba.

Helsinki Accords

1975 agreement promoting cooperation and human rights in Europe.

Dissident

Individual opposing government policies, often facing persecution.

Cambodian Crisis Response

Ford acted decisively when Cambodian Communists seized U.S. ship.

Bicentennial Celebration

1976 event marking 200 years of American independence.

Cultural Phenomenon

Bicentennial sparked nationwide patriotism and nostalgia.

OPEC Boycott Lifted

Oil embargo ended following Sinai Agreements.

Energy Crisis

Ford faced challenges from rising energy costs.

Unemployment

Economic issue Ford needed to address alongside inflation.

Service Sector Growth

Shift to low-paying jobs contributed to economic decline.

Ford's Public Image

Pardon controversy damaged Ford's initial popularity.

Puerto Rican Socialists

Groups advocating for Puerto Rican independence and socialism.

Vietnam Veterans

Former soldiers who served in the Vietnam War.

Women's Rights Advocates

Activists promoting gender equality and women's rights.

Black Panthers

Militant group fighting for Black civil rights.

Unemployed Workers

Individuals without jobs seeking employment opportunities.

Election of 1976

Presidential election featuring Ford and Carter.

Ronald Reagan

Future Republican president challenging Ford in 1976.

Nelson Rockefeller

Ford's original Vice President removed in 1976.

Robert Dole

Senator nominated as Ford's running mate in 1976.

Trust

Key issue in the 1976 presidential campaign.

Washington Outsider

Carter's image as a non-establishment candidate.

Georgia Peanut Farmer

Carter's background before entering politics.

Deep Religious Faith

Carter's personal characteristic influencing his worldview.

Georgia Mafia

Carter's top advisors from Georgia.

Stagflation

Economic stagnation combined with rising prices.

Dependence on Oil

Carter's view of America's most serious problem.

National Energy Program

Carter's proposal to reduce energy dependency.

Department of Energy

Agency created to manage U.S. energy resources.

Malaise Speech

Carter's address on America's lack of confidence.

Andrew Young

First African American UN ambassador appointed by Carter.

Ted Kennedy

Challenged Carter for the Democratic nomination in 1980.

Human Rights Policy

Carter's foreign policy focused on promoting human rights.

Vietnam-era Draft Evaders

Individuals who avoided military service during Vietnam.

Carter's Foreign Policy

Shift towards morality and human rights in diplomacy.

Bicentennial Year

1976, marking 200 years of American independence.

Carter's Early Political Success

Achievements before presidency, including governorship.

Lance Affair

Controversial incident affecting Carter's administration.

Speaker of the House O'Neil

Democratic leader Carter struggled to work with.

Complex Energy Program

Carter's initiative that lacked public understanding.

1980 Presidential Campaign

Carter's re-election bid against Ted Kennedy.

Moral Sense

Preference for societies respecting human rights.

Carter's Commencement Address

1977 speech outlining human rights policy.

Human Rights Policy

Core tenet of Carter's foreign policy.

Secretary of State Vance

Refined human rights policy in 1977.

Three Human Rights Categories

Freedom from violation, vital needs, civil rights.

Flexibility in Policy

Adaptation based on specific case details.

Carter Doctrine

Military force for U.S. interests in Persian Gulf.

Camp David Accords

Framework for peace between Israel and Egypt.

Camp David Summit

1978 negotiations for Egyptian-Israeli peace.

Torrijos-Carter Treaties

Panama gained control of the Panama Canal.

Sino-American Relations

Diplomatic recognition of PRC in 1978.

SALT II Treaty

Limits on nuclear forces signed in 1979.

Nixon's Realpolitik

Practical politics contrasting Carter's moral approach.