#4 The Ford and Carter Years Problems faced by Policies Ford 1. Ending the Pardoned Nixon (to “end the nightmare”) Watergate scandal 2. Troubled economy 3. Hostile Congress 4. Cold War tensions 5. Southeast Asia Promoted the “Whip Inflation Now” program; tried a “tight money” policy – triggered recession Vetoed more than 50 bills Signed the Helsinki Accords (cooperation btw E. & W. Europe) Responded with massive military force to Cambodia’s attack on a US ship Problems faced by Policies Carter 6. Distrust of politicians Promised never to lie to the American people; held “fireside chats” on TV and radio 7. Energy crisis Advocated voluntary energy conservation; fought for passage of the National Energy Act 8. Discrimination 9. Human rights issues 10.Panama Canal 11.Cold War tensions 12.Middle East tensions Appointed more African Americans and women to his administration than any previous president Made human rights concerns the foundation of his foreign policy; cut aid to allies that mistreated their own Signed two treaties promising to turn over control of the canal to Panama 12/31/1999 Signed the SALT II agreement treaty Negotiated the Camp David Accords More foreign policy under Carter Summer 1978 – moves to help peace talks between Israel and Egypt; Israel withdraws from the Sinai Peninsula and Egypt officially recognizes Israel’s right to exist January 1979 – revolution breaks out in Iran; Ayatollah Khomeini overthrows the shah and sets up a fundamentalist gov’t. October 1979 – shah allowed to enter US for cancer treatment, armed students take over American embassy in Tehran; take 52 Americans hostage; Carter refuses to negotiate; hostages are held for 444 days; released on Reagan’s inauguration (1981) December 1979 – USSR invades Afghanistan; we get involved by helping Afghanistan (covertly); train Osama bin Laden