Jimmy Carter Flashcards
What prior experience did Jimmy Carter have?
He became a Democrat in the Georgia State senate from 1962-1966.
He then ran for the governorship but failed and became an evangelical christian.
He then became Governor in 1970.
What gave Carter an edge against Ford?
In a televised debate Ford said that Eastern Europe was not dominated by The Soviet Union.
What were the results of the 1976 Presidential election?
Carter: 297 EC votes, 23 States + DC, 40.8 million votes, 50.1% of the vote.
Ford: 240 EC votes, 27 States, 39.1 Million votes, 48% of the vote.
What did Carter try to do as soon as he became President?
He proposed a huge number policies targeting social, political and economic reform, however he faced opposition in Congress even though the Democrats held the majority.
Why had Carter’s population declined already by 1978?
Stiff opposition from congress had led to most of his ideas not materialising into legislation.
What scandal occurred in Summer 1977 which harmed Carter’s reputation?
Bert Lance his close friend and director of the Office of Management and budget was accused of tax fraud.
Carter stood by him initially but later asked him to resign and proceeded to pardon him of any charge.
What scandal occurred in Summer 1980 which harmed Carter’s reputation?
His younger brother Billy was accused of acting as an influence peddler for Muammar al-Qaddafi.
The senate found him guilty of acting inappropriately but not influencing the President.
What success did Carter have in regards to Panama?
Through patient diplomacy he was able to sign two treaties the later of which gave Panama control of it in 1999.
What foreign policy success did Carter have in regards to Egypt and Israel?
In 1978 he was able to end the state of war that had existed between the two since 1948 as well as the return of the Sinai peninsular to Egypt.
What did Carter do in January 1979? Regarding China?
He established full diplomatic relations between the US and China and withdrew recognition for Taiwan.
What was Carter’s policy in regards to the Soviet Union?
He embargoed grain imports to the Soviet Union after the invasion of Afghanistan in 1980.
How did Carter deal with the Iran hostage crisis?
He carried out Operation Eagle Claw 24th of April 1980.
It was a huge failure with 8 soldiers killed and 5 helicopters captured.
What major economic problems did Carter struggle to deal with?
Inflation increased from 6% in 1976 to 12% by 1980.
Unemployment remained at 7.5%.
Interest rates reached a high of 20% twice in 1980.
What other economic issues did Carter face?
1979 Oil crisis.
What did Carter try to do in regards to energy?
He attempted to introduce an oil tax as well as using introducing alternative sources of energy however, the Senate squashed it.
