Changes

==Presidency (1977-1981)==

==Presidency (1977-1981)==

=== Economic Crisis ===

=== Economic Crisis ===

[[Image:Carter1977.jpg‎|thumb|250px|President Carter's inauguration, 01/20/77]] Carter inherited a [[recession]] when taking office. First he tried to reduce unemployment by both increasing government spending and cutting [[tax]]es. However, when [[inflation]] skyrocketed in 1978 he changed his mind. He delayed tax cuts and vetoed the spending programs that he himself proposed to the [[Congress]]. Carter then tried to ease inflation by reducing [[money]] supply and raising [[interest rates]]. All of his efforts proved to be unsuccessful. By 1979, public opinion polls had Carter's popularity lower then [[Richard Nixon]]'s during Watergate, partly because of his inexperience and difficulties working with Congress.  

[[Image:Carter79.jpg‎|thumb|right|250px|Cartoonist Herblock expresses America's frustration with Carter's inability to take control.]] Carter inherited a [[recession]] when taking office. First he tried to reduce unemployment by both increasing government spending and cutting [[tax]]es. However, when [[inflation]] skyrocketed in 1978 he changed his mind. He delayed tax cuts and vetoed the spending programs that he himself proposed to the [[Congress]]. Carter then tried to ease inflation by reducing [[money]] supply and raising [[interest rates]]. All of his efforts proved to be unsuccessful. Inflation and interest rates soon reached their highest levels since [[World War II]].

 

The rapid change in interest rates led to disintermediation of bank deposits, which sowed the seeds of the Savings and Loan crisis. Investments in fixed income were becoming less valuable. Holders of both bonds, and pensions being paid to retired people had their life savings wiped out. The stagnant growth of the economy (causing unemployment), in combination with a high rate of inflation, has often been called stagflation, an unprecedented situation in American economics. By 1979, public opinion polls had Carter's popularity lower then [[Richard Nixon]]'s during Watergate, partly because of his inexperience and difficulties working with [[Congress]].  

=== Energy Crisis ===

=== Energy Crisis ===

=== Foreign Policy ===

=== Foreign Policy ===

In contrast to Carter's economic policies which were uncertain and left the public confused, his foreign policy was more clearly defined. Although foreign policy is where Jimmy Carter suffered his worst defeats. In his inaugural speech he stated that "our commitment to human rights must be absolute." He singled out the [[Soviet Union]] as a violator of human rights and strongly condemned the country for arresting it's citizens for political protests. He also tried to remove the U.S. image of interventionism by giving Panamanians control of the [[Panama Canal]].  

In contrast to Carter's economic policies which were uncertain and left the public confused, his foreign policy was more clearly defined. Although foreign policy is where Jimmy Carter suffered his worst defeats. In his inaugural speech he stated that "our commitment to human rights must be absolute." He singled out the [[Soviet Union]] as a violator of human rights and strongly condemned the country for arresting it's citizens for political protests. However, he was criticized for not doing enough to promote his proclaimed human rights foreign policy stance in his administration, such as continuing to support the Indonesian government even while it was implicated in the commission of acts of genocide in the occupation of [[East Timor]].  

Relations with the United States and the Soviet Union suffered a significant setback under Carter when Soviet troops invaded the Central Asian nation of [[Afghanistan]] in December 1979. President Carter responded by imposing an [[embargo]] on the sale of grain to the Soviet Union and boycotting the 1980 Summer Olympic Games in [[Moscow]]. The policy of detente that was established by President Nixon had virtually collapsed.                    

Carter also tried to remove the U.S. image of interventionism by giving Panamanians control of the [[Panama Canal]]. Relations with the United States and the Soviet Union suffered a significant setback under Carter when Soviet troops invaded the Central Asian nation of [[Afghanistan]] in December 1979. President Carter responded by imposing an [[embargo]] on the sale of grain to the Soviet Union and boycotting the 1980 Summer Olympic Games in [[Moscow]]. The policy of detente that was established by President Nixon had virtually collapsed.                      

=== Camp David Accords ===

=== Camp David Accords ===

=== Iran Hostage Crisis ===  

=== Iran Hostage Crisis ===  

In 1979, a new [[Islamic]] regime lead by [[Ayatollah Khomeini]] in [[Iran]] was elected, defeating the Shah, which had friendly relations with the United States. In November 1979 revolutionaries stormed into the American embassy in [[Tehran]] and captured 52 United States diplomats hostage. The militants threatened to kill the hostages or try to use them as spies. Despite pressure to use military action Carter tried to negotiate with Iran, which proved to be unsuccessful. In April 1980 President Carter approved a rescue attempt (over the opposition of [[Secretary of State]] [[Cyrus Vance]]). To the nations dismay, the attempt failed when several helicopters malfunctioned. Eight serviceman died in the accident. Carter's negotiations with Iran continued throughout 1980. Ironically, the hostages were released just after Carter left office on January 20, 1981.                

In 1979, a new [[Islamic]] regime lead by [[Ayatollah Khomeini]] in [[Iran]] was elected, defeating the Shah, which had friendly relations with the United States. In November 1979 revolutionaries stormed into the American embassy in [[Tehran]] and captured 52 United States diplomats hostage. The militants threatened to kill the hostages or try to use them as spies. Despite pressure to use military action Carter tried to negotiate with Iran, which proved to be unsuccessful. In April 1980 President Carter approved a rescue attempt (over the opposition of [[Secretary of State]] [[Cyrus Vance]]). To the nations dismay, the attempt failed when several helicopters malfunctioned. Eight serviceman died in the accident. Carter's negotiations with Iran continued throughout 1980. Ironically, the hostages were released just after Carter left office on January 20, 1981.

==1980 Reelection Campaign==

==1980 Reelection Campaign==