On August 5, 1974, when the “smoking gun tape” became public,

Nixon was told that he would not survive the vote in the Senate

Aftermath of Aftermath of WatergateWatergate

Gerald Ford became the nation’s 37Gerald Ford became the nation’s 37thth president. president. More than 30 government officials went to prison More than 30 government officials went to prison

for their role in Watergate. Nixon was not one of for their role in Watergate. Nixon was not one of them. them.

In September 1974, Ford gave Nixon a full pardon. In September 1974, Ford gave Nixon a full pardon. There was a public distrust of the government that There was a public distrust of the government that

continues to this daycontinues to this day..

Carter and the Carter and the ‘70s‘70s

On July 4, 1976, the United States celebrated its bicentennial (200th birthday)

Election of 1976In the 1976 Presidential Election, the Republicans nominated the In the 1976 Presidential Election, the Republicans nominated the

sitting president Gerald Ford as their candidatesitting president Gerald Ford as their candidate

The Democrats nominated a relative unknown, Georgia Governor The Democrats nominated a relative unknown, Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter, who had once been a peanut farmerJimmy Carter, who had once been a peanut farmer

In a close In a close election, Carter election, Carter defeated Ford defeated Ford to become the to become the nation’s 39nation’s 39thth president.president.

Texas was a key Texas was a key state in the state in the victory for victory for

Carter.Carter.

Gerald Ford, Republican Jimmy Carter, Democrat

Election of 1976

Carter won 40.8 million votes and 297 electoral votesFord won 39.1 million votes and 240 electoral votes

The Carter YearsThe Carter YearsJimmy Carter was liked by Jimmy Carter was liked by

many because he was a many because he was a Southern Democrat who Southern Democrat who

was not a Washington was not a Washington insiderinsider

But Carter’s Presidency But Carter’s Presidency was troubled by the Iran was troubled by the Iran

hostage crisis and an hostage crisis and an economic downturneconomic downturn

Iran Hostage CrisisIran Hostage Crisis

The Iran hostage crisis was a diplomatic crisis between The Iran hostage crisis was a diplomatic crisis between Iran and the U.S. when 53 Americans were held hostage Iran and the U.S. when 53 Americans were held hostage for 444 days from November 4, 1979 to January 20, 1981for 444 days from November 4, 1979 to January 20, 1981

Iran Hostage CrisisIran Hostage Crisis

The hostages were taken captive by Islamic militants who The hostages were taken captive by Islamic militants who took over the American Embassy in response to the U.S. took over the American Embassy in response to the U.S.

allowing the former Shah of Iran to come to the U.S.allowing the former Shah of Iran to come to the U.S.

Iran Hostage CrisisIran Hostage Crisis

The American hostages were held in captivity for The American hostages were held in captivity for 444 days and not released until after Carter was 444 days and not released until after Carter was

defeated in the 1980 election and left office. defeated in the 1980 election and left office.

Camp David AccordsCamp David Accords

One of the greatest achievements of Carter was in his foreign One of the greatest achievements of Carter was in his foreign policy.policy.

Carter negotiated a peace agreement between Israel and Egypt Carter negotiated a peace agreement between Israel and Egypt that was known as the Camp David Accords, signed in September that was known as the Camp David Accords, signed in September

1978.1978. Carter’s work with foreign countries eventually earned him the Carter’s work with foreign countries eventually earned him the

Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

Jonestown MassacreJonestown Massacre

Americans were shocked in 1978 when Americans were shocked in 1978 when The Peoples Temple, a religious cult, The Peoples Temple, a religious cult, had a mass suicide that left nearly had a mass suicide that left nearly

1,000 people dead1,000 people dead

Three Mile Island Three Mile Island disasterdisasterThe Three Mile Island disaster is The Three Mile Island disaster is

when a nuclear power facility in when a nuclear power facility in Pennsylvania had a core meltdown.Pennsylvania had a core meltdown.

The meltdown led to The meltdown led to radioactive gases being leaked radioactive gases being leaked

into the air.into the air.

The incident occurred in March of The incident occurred in March of 1979 and was the worst nuclear 1979 and was the worst nuclear power accident in U.S. historypower accident in U.S. history

Election of 1980

Pop Culture of the Pop Culture of the 70s70s

BellbottomsBellbottoms

CB RadiosCB Radios

JoggingJoggingPet RocksPet Rocks

DiscoDisco

Pop Culture of the Pop Culture of the 70s70s

All in the FamilyAll in the Family

Happy DaysHappy Days

The Brady BunchThe Brady Bunch

TopTopTVTV

ShowsShows

Mary Tyler Moore ShowMary Tyler Moore Show

Pop Culture of the Pop Culture of the 70s70s Top inTop in

MoviesMovies

Pop Culture of the Pop Culture of the 70s70sTop inTop in

MusicMusic