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Carter is inaugurated the thirty-ninth President of the United States.
The years of Jimmy Carter were marred by tensions in the Middle East, energy shortages, inflation combined with rising unemployment, and general malaise. Adjusting to the Post-Watergate Era, America seemed to be searching for a new identity. -
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Jimmy Carter Administration
The years of Jimmy Carter were marred by tensions in the Middle East, energy shortages, inflation combined with rising unemployment, and general malaise. Adjusting to the Post-Watergate Era, America seemed to be searching for a new identity. -
Trying to heal the wounds of Vietnam (VUS.13c)
After veterans often met indifference or outright hostility by those who opposed the war, Carter pardoned the Vietnam War draft evaders. A controversial move, this was an attempt to bring the nation back together and attempt to mend the rift in society caused by the Vietnam War. MORE -
Emergency Natural Gas Act
Authorizing the President to deregulate natural gas prices due to a shortage in supply, Carter signed the bill and announced plans to present an energy program to Congress. He later proposed the establishment of a cabinet-level Department of Energy. -
The Energy Crisis Deepens
In an address to the nation, Carter calls his program of energy conservation the "moral equivalent of war." Throughout his presidency, he would encourage Americans to conserve energy. MORE -
Changing Foreign Policy (VUS.13e)
Carter speaks at Notre Dame University, presenting a new direction in foreign policy which takes the focus off anti-Communism and emphasizes support for fundamental human rights. This shift would expand American interests in domestic affairs of other nations -
Relations with Israel
Newly elected Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin meets with Carter in Washington, likely to discuss potential peace processes for the Middle East. -
Carter goes to Iran
Carter visits the Mohammed Reza Shah Pahlavi, in Tehran, calling Iran "an island of stability" in the Middle East. One of the greatest mis-speaks in presidential history, the Shah would soon be overthrown and Iran would embrace a theocratic government with strong Anti-American sentiment. -
Israel, Egypt and America meet (VUS.13e)
Carter mediates talks between Prime Minister Menachem Begin of Israel and President Anwar Sadat of Egypt at Camp David, resulting in a peace treaty between the two nations on September 17. Known as the Camp David Accords, Israel and Egypt agreed on land settlements and a commitment to avoid war. This was a major foreign policy victory for Carter. -
Normalizing Relations with China (VUS.13b)
The Carter administration grants full diplomatic status to the People's Republic of China. This would help thaw tensions in the Cold War, but place stress on relations between China and the Soviets. -
Three Mile Island Incident
A nuclear power plant in Pennsylvania had a partial melt-down. The worst nuclear accident in the United States, the radioactive material was contained and there were no deaths or injuries. However, the accident brought to light potential dangers of making nuclear power, and this fueled an anti-nuclear power movement. MORE -
Slowing the Arms Race (VUS.13c)
Carter signs the second Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT II) with the USSR. The U.S. Senate never ratifies the controversial treaty, although both nations voluntarily comply with its terms. Showing more détente between the two nations, these talks were indicative of Carter’s pro-peace policy. -
Hostage Crisis (VUS.15e)
Iranian students take sixty-six Americans hostage at the American embassy in Tehran. The immediate cause was Carter’s permission to allow the deposed Shah to come to the US for cancer treatment. The anti-American cleric Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini who would rise to power in Iran, permitted the hostages to be held a total of 444 days. Carter would authorize one failed attempt to free the hostages. MORE -
Soviet Union invades Afghanistan (VUS.15e)
Upon the request of the Soviet-supported government, the Soviet Union invaded to help put down an insurgency by American-supported the Mujahideen rebels. The Soviet War in Afghanistan lasted about 9 years, and was considered a failure as they were forced to withdraw. The Soviets often refer to this war as “their Vietnam”. MORE -
The Carter Doctrine
Carter announces the "Carter Doctrine" in his State of the Union address, asserting that threats to the Persian Gulf region will be viewed as "an assault of the vital interests of the United States." MORE -
Boycott the Olympics!
The U.S. Olympic Committee voted to boycott the Moscow summer Olympics, supporting Carter in protesting the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. American refusal to participate was reciprocated in 1984, when the Soviets boycotted the Games held in Los Angeles. MORE -
“Stag-flation”
Carter announces that the economy is in recession, with the inflation rates hitting ten percent and interest rates climbing to eighteen percent. -
Operation Eagle Claw
Carter broke the news to the nation that an attempt by the military to rescue the hostages in Iran failed when some of the helicopters crashed in the desert. This was a huge blow to American confidence and position in global confidence. MORE -
CNN first broadcast (VUS.15c)
Representing the beginning of 24-hour news, more information was more quickly available to Americans. We could get news from around the world as it happened – changing forever our expectations of awareness. -
Reagan Wins!
Carter loses election to Ronald Reagan, winning only 49 electoral votes to Reagan's 489. Carter would spend the next two months working on negotiating for the release of the hostages in Iran. During the campaign, Reagan regularly asked Americans, “Are you better off now than you were four years ago?”
