An+Eisenhower+Primer

=Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter (1974-1981)=

Overview
Gerald Rudolph Ford, Jr. was the 38th president for the United States, serving from 1974-1977. Gerald Ford was the first person appointed to the vice-presidency under the terms of the 25th Amendment, when he became President upon Richard Nixon’s resignation. During Gerald Ford’s presidency he was face with multiple domestic problems as well as a foreign conflict. Ford had to deal with inflation, a down economy, energy shortages, and foreign affairs. Ford ran for re-election in 1976, but lost to Jimmy Carter.

James Earl “Jimmy” Carter, Jr. served as the 39th president for the United States, serving from 1977-1781. Jimmy Carter aspired to make Government “Competent and Compassionate.” Jimmy Carter was also faced with multiple domestic challenges including rising energy costs and inflation. Foreign Affairs also arose during Carter’s term as president including the Panama Canal Treaties and U.S Embassy Hostage Crisis.

After Ford pardon Nixon for any crimes he may have committed against the United States while he was President, Ford moved onto his work of improving the country. Ford’s first goal as president was to curb the nation’s inflation; however, soon economic recession became the nation’s most serious domestic problem. He shifted his efforts into stimulating the economy while still fearful of inflation. Ford was forced to veto many bills in order to preserve the national budget. In foreign affairs Ford maintained U.S power and prestige after the collapse of Cambodia and South Vietnam. He also prevented a new war in the Middle East; by providing aid to both Israel and Egypt and then persuading the two countries to accept a truce agreement.

Jimmy Carter worked hard to combat the continuing economic problems of inflation and unemployment and through his presidency increased the work force by 8 million jobs and decreased the national budget. However, inflation and interest rates rose to an all time high and Carter’s efforts to curb them only cased a short recession. Carter did deal with the energy shortage by establishing a national energy policy and by decontrolling domestic petroleum prices. He also worked to expand the national park system protecting millions of acres in Alaska. He helped increase human and social services by creating the Department of Education and boosting Social Security. In foreign affairs, Carter was involved in the Panama Canal Treaties and dealt with the U.S Embassy hostage crisis in Iran.

Conclusion/Historical Significance
Although Ford’s presidency only lasted a short time he governed the nation through difficult periods. After criticism form the Nixon pardon, he continued his task against energy crisis, inflation and unemployment, and the withdrawal from Vietnam in 1975. Ford maintained his conservative approach to his presidency and commitment to a free-market economy as well as holding a strong defense and foreign policies which preserved peace in the Middle East. In 1975, he survived two assassination attempts. Ford only served the nation as president for one term, after losing the election in 1977 to Jimmy Carter. Jimmy Carter only served one term as president from 1977-1981. Jimmy Carter took office after Henry Ford and adopted many of the problems Ford faced during his presidency. Carter dealt with poor economic times as he struggled to improve inflation and unemployment as well as energy problems. He also dealt swiftly with foreign affairs when he signed the Panama Canal Treaty. Carter's efforts to sustain the nation economically and in foreign affairs allowed the United States to continue as a world powers for years after his presidency.