Name:________________________________________________ Date:_____________ Class:____________
Bell Ringer: The Election of 1980
Instructions: Examine the picture. Read the background information. Answer the questions below.
Background: Jimmy Carter, a Democrat, who won the Election of 1976, faced many obstacles while President. The
economy continued to struggle and oil prices rose dramatically. On top of this problem, the USA encountered
massive tension with Iran. Iran was led by Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the Shah of Iran. Pahlavi actually had a good
relationship with the USA and the West. Yet, in 1979, extremist Shi’ite Muslims, led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Mostafavi
Moosavi Khomeini, took over Iran and implemented a theocracy based on their interpretation of Islam. Pahlavi fled
the nation. During the Iran Hostage Crisis, extremists took American hostages in the USA embassy in Iran. The
Americans remained hostages for 444 days. Carter could not secure their release. Under Jimmy Carter, the economy
was struggling and the Iran Hostage Crisis was still going on. These factors damaged his political popularity and
Ronald Reagan won the Election of 1980. Above is pictured Ronald Reagan, who won the Election of 1980, and his
Vice President, George Bush Sr.
1. Who won the Election of 1976?
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2. What was the Iran Hostage Crisis?
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3. What obstacles did Jimmy Carter face that negatively impacted his campaign for a second term as
President in 1980? Who won the Election of 1980?
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Answers:
1. Who won the Election of 1976?
Jimmy Carter
2. What was the Iran Hostage Crisis?
In 1979, extremist Shi’ite Muslims, led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Mostafavi Moosavi Khomeini, took over Iran and
implemented a theocracy based on their interpretation of Islam. Pahlavi fled the nation. During the Iran Hostage
Crisis, extremists took American hostages in the USA embassy in Iran. The Americans remained hostages for 444
days. Carter could not secure their release.
3. What obstacles did Jimmy Carter face that negatively impacted his campaign for a second term as
President in 1980? Who won the Election of 1980?
The economy continued to struggle and oil prices rose dramatically. On top of this problem, the USA encountered
massive tension with Iran. This tension reached a massive turning point when Americans in the embassy in Iran were
taken hostage. They were held hostage for 444 days. Carter could never secure their release. This negatively
impacted his popularity and his run for a second term in office in 1980.
Copyright, USHistoryTeachers.com
All Rights Reserved.