Final answer:
The presidencies of Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter were characterized by economic challenges and foreign policy struggles, with Ford's pardon of Nixon and Carter's handling of the Iranian hostage crisis marking significant low points, while the Helsinki Accords and Camp David Accords were successes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The presidencies of Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter were marked by various challenges that led to their perceived failures and successes. Gerald Ford faced significant opposition after pardoning Richard Nixon, which contributed to a lack of popularity. His economic policies did not significantly revive the economy, and while his foreign policy had some success, such as détente with the Soviet Union and the Helsinki Accords, his inability to secure congressional support for aid to South Vietnam marked a limitation.
Jimmy Carter entered the presidency as a 'Washington outsider,' capitalizing on the electorate's disillusionment with political leaders. Despite this initial support, Carter's presidency was marred by economic stagnation and international crises, including the Iranian hostage situation. His domestic policies failed to address the nation's problems adequately, leading to increased criticism and a shift towards conservative values by the end of his term.
Both presidents struggled with economic and international challenges, but they also had notable foreign policy achievements. Ford's Helsinki Accords and Carter's Camp David Accords depict the complexity of their legacies. The economic difficulties and political disenchantment of the period factored into the challenges each president faced, as did their respective foreign policy decisions.