Carter Through Bush II
History M25 - Krister Swanson - Moorpark College
Peanut Farmer from Georgia
humble roots, deeply religious
NOT Nixon (outsider, man of people)
trouble dealing with Congress (Gov.)
open foreign policy (human rights)
amnesty for draft dodgers
Restores Panama Canal to Panama
Camp David Accords get Egypt & Israel to agree to work for peace
The Rust Belt Grows
"Steel Belt" across MW and NE
Add the Oil/Energy Crisis & inflation, companies are forced into major cut backs and shut downs
stagflation
Econo-socio-psychoical depression hits, steel belt č Rust Belt
Iran Hostage Crisis
Shah forced from power goes to US for medical treatment
Students & Ayatollah Khomenei demand return of Shah, seize embassy & 66 Americans
4/24/80- failed rescue attempt aggravates the situation
1/20/81- Hostages released
US left with wounded pride
Stagflation & Election of 1980
inflation hits 18%
unemployment as high as 19% in places
combination=stagflation
Carter’s approval rating drops to 26%
rebounds with Iran Crisis
Reagan: strong military & economy (make U.S. proud)
John Anderson is 3rd Party Cand
Ronald Reagan
feel good about America after being burned by Vietnam, Watergate, & Iran
conservatism is an ideology
domestic : against abortion, gun control, ERA, & Affirmative Action; for the death penalty
only way he can effect social issues is SC nominations
economy bounces back
Reaganomics: tax cuts targeted at upper classes supposed to stimulate economy (trickle down)
strong anti-Comm "The Great Cold Warrior"
Pro-Military
restores prestige to Presidency
The Iran Contra Affair
low point of Reagan Era
U.S. makes arms deal with Iran to help free U.S. hostages in Lebanon
$ from arms deal goes to help Nicaraguan Contras fighting the Anti-U.S. Sandinistas
Congress had told Reagan not to fund the Contras (he’s spending without permission)
Press & Senate investigate, Oliver North (Marine Col.) held responsible, many try to tie back to Reagan
Three Points of View
Election of 1988
Hart forced out (SEX!!!)
Bush vs. Dukakis (Mass. Miracle)
Bush wins with 53% (snoopy photo, Willie Horton)
"Kinder, gentler nation" and "Read my lips: No New Taxes"
Challenges for Bush
end of Cold War - new world order
Savings & Loan scandal
economic recession (slow down in defense spending)
budget deficit
Clarence Thomas
War on Drugs (Noriega)