The 1970s:America at 200

U.S. History II

Bicentennial Malaise

Bicentennial celebrations caused reflection on current situation– Current political leaders didn’t compare favorably

to Founding Fathers– Revisionist historians portrayed Founding Fathers

as racist, sexist, self-serving tax cheats Founding Fathers’ vision of America seemed

to have been lost:– Believed in need for virtuous, educated citizenry &

distrusted democracy– Believed political leaders should be disinterested– Believed “that government is best which governs

least”

Rise of Suburbs & Fall of Cities

4 distinguishing features of U.S. suburban domination:– Low residential density & absence of sharp city-

country divide– Americans have strong penchant for owning homes,

coupled with Arcadian myth– Wealth & status associated with periphery, not center– Average commute growing ever longer

Decentralization created vicious cycle:– Jobs followed people, attracting more people– Cities left with poorer residents & declining tax base– Raising taxes further drove away middle class &

businesses

Deindustrialization in the Northeast & Midwest Sunbelt growing due to lower labor costs,

cheaper land, gov’t incentives & less regulation Switch from locally-owned businesses to multi-

national corporations– In 19th century “civic capitalism,” owners & workers

had common stake in communities– In 20th century “global capitalism,” distant owners

have no stake in communities Decline of economic opportunities created

sharper competition among white & black working class

“Urban renewal” was dismal failure

Ford Sworn in as President

Ford’s Presidency (1974-1977) Became Vice President Dec. 6, 1973 after Agnew’s

resignation– 25th Amendment (1967) allowed President to appoint

Vice President if vacant, subject to Senate confirmation– Ford would similarly appoint N.Y. Gov. Nelson

Rockefeller Vice President (Dec. 19, 1974) Became President Aug. 9, 1974 after Nixon’s

resignation Sept. 1974 pardon of Nixon very unpopular - raised

accusations of a deal House & Senate investigations revealed CIA abuses, so

George Bush brought in to clean up the agency 1975 Helsinki Accords formally ratified post-WWII

boundaries in Europe

Ford, Cheney & Rumsfeld

Ford’s Would-Be Assassins

Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme

Sara Jane Moore

1976 Election Ford survived strong

challenge from conservative Ronald Reagan & chose Kansas Sen. Robert Dole as running mate

Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter ran as outsider who would restore honesty & integrity to gov’t

Jimmy Carter (1977-1981) Fought stagflation in

contradictory ways:– 1977: $34 billion tax cut &

$14 billion in public works.– 1979: tightened money

supply & decreased spending.

Deregulated airlines, banking, trucking & railroads

1978 Energy Act penalized gas-guzzling cars & promoted R & D on alternative fuels

Jimmy, Amy & RosalynCarter walking in theInaugural Parade, 1977

Human Rights in Foreign Policy

1977 treaty returned control of Canal to Panama in 1999

Sept. 1978: Carter negotiates peace agreement between Israel and Egypt - Camp David Accords signed in March 1979

SALT II signed, but never ratified by Senate

Boycotted 1980 Moscow Olympics & cut of grain sales to protest Soviet invasion of Afghanistan

Carter & Secretary of State Cyrus Vance

Iranian Hostage Crisis Iranian Revolution (1979):

– Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi forced into exile by Islamic radicals led by Ayatollah Khomeini

– Carter allowed Shah to enter U.S. for medical treatment

Nov. 4, 1979: U.S. embassy in Tehran taken over by Iranian revolutionaries

52 Hostages held until Jan. 1981– Carter froze all Iranian assets &

began negotiations– Military botched rescue attempt

Crisis became focal point for all frustration

Ayatollah Khomeini