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The Modern Era

The Modern Era. Ford and Carter. Boat People. After the fall of Saigon, the socialist government sent many people who supported the foreign forces and the old government in the South to re-education camps.

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The Modern Era

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  1. The Modern Era Ford and Carter

  2. Boat People • After the fall of Saigon, the socialist government sent many people who supported the foreign forces and the old government in the South to re-education camps. • Many Vietnamese fled the country and its oppressive government, mostly by old boats on the open sea. • The Orderly Departure Program from 1979 until 1994 helped to resettle refugees in the United States as well as other Western countries.

  3. President Ford • Vice-President Ford was named President upon Nixon’s resignation (1974). • Pres. Ford then granted Nixon a “full, free and absolute pardon.” • U.S. faced bad recession in 1975 with high unemployment and high inflation. • Ford lost a close race for reelection in 1976 to the Democrat Jimmy Carter.

  4. 1976

  5. Carter Faces Domestic Challenges • Jimmy Carter came across as an honest man of deep religious faith who promised not to lie to the American people. • Tried to help the nation heal some of the wounds of the past. • Ex. He issued a pardon to thousands of Vietnam War draft dodgers. • Focused on human rights around the world. • Tried to deal with environmental issues. • Efforts to fix the economy mostly failed, so focused instead on the energy crisis

  6. 1970s Energy Crisis • During the 1970s, demand for oil in the U.S. increased while domestic production decreased. (what is going to happen?) • Reliance on foreign oil increased. • In 1973 and 1979, oil crises hit the U.S. • Effects? • Higher gas prices • Gasoline rationing • Recession • Domestic oil/gas exploration • Solutions? • Founding of Department of Energy • Alternative energy sources • 55 mph speed limit

  7. Carter’s Foreign Policy • Carter came to office with little foreign-policy experience. • Worked to strengthen ties between the United States and the Soviet Union and China. • Formally recognized the government of the Communist People’s Republic of China • Signed treaty with Panama to transfer control of the Panama Canal back to Panama by 1999. • Helped Egypt and Israel deal with some of the divisions that caused conflicts between their countries. • Camp David Accords

  8. Camp David Accords • Carter invited the leaders of Israel and Egypt to Camp David to negotiate a peace settlement (had been in state of war for years). • After 13 days, Carter had negotiated a peace treaty and framework for future negotiations. • Egypt would recognize Israel’s right to exist. • Israel would give control of the Sinai Peninsula back to Egypt.

  9. How did international crises affect Carter’s presidency? • In a series of events occurred that seemed to overwhelm Carter’s presidency. • In 1979 the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan to install a friendly communist regime. • Afghan rebels organized to fight the invaders, and the war dragged on until 1989. • Carter responded with embargo on grain sales to Soviet Union and U.S. boycott on 1980 Summer Olympics. • Miracle on Ice

  10. Iran Hostage Crisis • On November 4, 1979, an angry mob of young Islamic revolutionaries overran the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking more than 60 Americans hostage. • Ally to the U.S. and repressive leader of Iran, Reza Shah Pahlavi, was forced to flee Iran in Jan., 1979, and a religious leader, Ayatollah Khomeini, set up a theocracy. • In Oct., 1979, President Carter gave permission for the Shah, suffering from cancer, to enter the U.S. for medical treatment. • The students vowed not to release the Americans until the U.S. returned the Shah for trial, along with billions of dollars they claimed he had stolen from the Iranian people. • A few hostages (women, minorities) were released, but 52 Americans remained hostages for over a year. • Carter tried to build pressure on Iran through economic sanctions, froze its assets in the U.S., attempted negotiation, and even sent a failed military rescue mission. • Nothing worked, and even though negotiations started 2 months before his reelection bid, Carter lost in 1980.

  11. Culture and Society in the 1970s • New Age movement-used alternative methods, like yoga and martial arts, to achieve spiritual enlightenment. • Falling birth rates and rising employment of women. • TV shows featured single women and took on controversial topics like racism and abortion. • Music became less political. • Disco! • Decade of fads (message t-shirts, skateboards, mood rings, fitness, etc.)

  12. Argo: Inside Story • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxlVK9OjrB0

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