Carter Presidency
Foreign Policy Changes Containment & Brinkmanship Cold War Detente Crusader & Conciliator Truman, Eisenhower & Kennedy Contain, Coercion, M.A.D., Arm and Space race Nixon & Carter manage rivalry Arms control treaties Reagan Exploit weaknesses of Soviet union
Foreign Policy under Carter President Carter (1977-1981) Camp David accords between Egypt and Israel Panama Canal treaties 1904 Panama granted US rights to build & control the canal 1977 agreement to relinquish control by year 2000 Dec. 31, 1999 Carter s ceremony Cold War- dormant through most of 70 s Soviet influence threatened in Afghanistan when a Muslim revolt prepared to topple the Communist regime Rebels armed by the US US boycotted the 1980 Olympics in Moscow Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979 and US refused to ratify a SALT II treaty (limit strategic offensive missiles)
Foreign Policy- Middle East Growing Arab nationalism & OPEC drove oil prices up Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Formed in 1960 s by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela 1970 s 2 oil pricing crisis Arab oil embargo- 1973 Iranian Revolution- 1979
Carter s Crisis of Confidence After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran stopped oil shipments to the US. Gas lines, shortages He delivered a televised address that became known as the "Malaise Speech." Carter asks Americans to share the responsibility of energy conservation. Carter's approval rating plummeted. The president was criticized for "blaming" the American people and offering few solutions.
Foreign Policy under Carter OPEC raised prices (over $1 a gallon) Energy Crisis: reliance on foreign oil Ration: Even/odd days by license plates Late 1970 s
Foreign Policy: Middle East Iranian Revolution 1953 CIA helped to overthrow Iran s elected leader and supported the Shah. Conflict between Shah and conservative Muslim leaders known as ayatollahs Shah fled Iran in 1979 to US for medical treatment Ayatollah Khomeini returned from exile 1979 US Embassy in Tehran seized by Islamic revolutionaries (students) More than 53 hostages held for 444 days Demand Shah be put on trial Released on Jan. 20, 1981- Reagan now President
1980 s Public confidence in leaders shaken, 60 s and 70 s resulted ingrowing cynicism with government Economy: recession and inflation Disturbing overseas events Paved path for popularity of President Ronald Reagan
Conservative ideology Opposed the Tax and spend Great Society & War on Poverty policies of Democratic Administrations Creationism, family values, cut government, stop communists, end abortion, restrictions on immigration Strong military / national defense American global power Individualism Lead to Culture Wars & Reagan Revolution
The Christian Right The growth of evangelical Christianity in the 1970's reflects the concern for what many perceived as a decline in traditional moral values. By 1978, 40% of Americans described themselves as "born again," including President Carter. The divisive issues pervading American politics, including abortion and women's rights, contributed to the proliferation of evangelical political organizations.
Political Influence of the Christian Right Groups like the National Conservative Political Action Committee and Reverend Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority pioneered the use of sophisticated campaigning and fundraising techniques such as direct mail. The influence and campaign tactics of Christian Right delivered a critical proportion of votes to Ronald Reagan in 1980. Rev. Jerry Falwall
Reaganomics Trickle-Down or Supply Side Economics Congress members received him with applause and quickly passed the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 (with cut taxes by $747 billion over five years) and the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1981 (which in one piece of legislation, cut over 200 social and cultural spending by $136 billion over two years). The tax cut was the largest in history.
Reagan & Foreign Policy SDI strategy to exploit economic weakness of the Soviet Union 1985 Gorbachev initiates reforms in USSR but unable to keep up with US military spending Glasnost- openness Perestroika- economic restructuring 1989 Fall of Berlin Wall (Reagan s Famous Tear down this wall speech) 1990 Germany reunified 1991 Soviet Union collapsed 15 Republics
Foreign Policy in Latin America Policy of engagement: Long standing US policy to promote stability & order through military and economic aid to protect US interests: support of repressive regimes Cold War Context: nationalist & revolutionary movements calling for land reforms Policy of Confrontation: willingness to support violent overthrow of leftist governments Ex. Sandinistas in Nicaragua once courted by US. Ties to Soviets led to reversal and covert CIA sponsored funding of Contras (counterrevolutionaries)
Iran-Contra Affair, 1980s 1979 election in Nicaragua, US now opposed the Sandinistas Sold military land & weapons to Iran (Khomeini), in return for release of 6 hostages held in Lebanon Used weapons against Iraq Used $ to fund the Contras who fought Sandinistas, thus backing rebels in Nicaragua Col. Oliver North took the blame, imprisoned Illegal sale of US property w/o Congressional approval Aid to Contras violated the Boland Amendments
Election of 1988 Vice President George Bush elected Republican Party lost ground in both houses of Congress
EXTRA SLIDES
Foreign Policy (Middle East) 1948 Israel made a state Challenge: deep seated hostilities between Arabs and Israelis (War 1956, 67 and 73) Wars led to Israeli victory and took Jerusalem, West Bank, Gaza Strip & Sinai Peninsula 1973 Yom Kippur War Joint Arab surprise attack led by Anwar Sadat (Egypt) US supplies Israel with weapons for counter attack Saudi Arabia oil boycott 1979 Camp David Accords under President Carterpeace talks led to concessions Israel recognized as a state Egypt receives Sinai Peninsula Palestinian autonomy in Gaza Strip and West Bank not settled
Reagan & Foreign Policy Middle East West Bank dispute as raids from Lebanon attack the region and Israel seeks buffer zone 1982 Israel attacked Lebanon US entered conflict to restore order 1984 US forces withdrew