39. JIMMY CARTER 1977-1981
Jimmy Carter aspired to make Government "competent and
compassionate," responsive to the American people and their
expectations. His achievements were notable, but in an era of
rising energy costs, mounting inflation, and continuing
tensions, it was impossible for his administration to meet these
high expectations.
Carter, who has rarely used his full name--James Earl Carter,
Jr.--was born October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia. Peanut
farming, talk of politics, and devotion to the Baptist faith
were mainstays of his upbringing. Upon graduation in 1946 from
the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, Carter married
Rosalynn Smith. The Carters have three sons, John William
(Jack), James Earl III (Chip), Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff), and a
daughter, Amy Lynn.
After seven years' service as a naval officer, Carter
returned to Plains. In 1962 he entered state politics, and eight
years later he was elected Governor of Georgia. Among the new
young southern governors, he attracted attention by emphasizing
ecology, efficiency in government, and the removal of racial
barriers.
Carter announced his candidacy for President in December 1974
and began a two-year campaign that gradually gained momentum. At
the Democratic Convention, he was nominated on the first ballot.
He chose Senator Walter F. Mondale of Minnesota as his running
mate. Carter campaigned hard against President Gerald R. Ford,
debating with him three times. Carter won by 297 electoral votes
to 241 for Ford.
Carter worked hard to combat the continuing economic woes of
inflation and unemployment. By the end of his administration, he
could claim an increase of nearly eight million jobs and a
decrease in the budget deficit, measured in percentage of the
gross national product. Unfortunately, inflation and interest
rates were at near record highs, and efforts to reduce them
caused a short recession.
Carter could point to a number of achievements in domestic
affairs. He dealt with the energy shortage by establishing a
national energy policy and by decontrolling domestic petroleum
prices to stimulate production. He prompted Government
efficiency through civil service reform and proceeded with
deregulation of the trucking and airline industries. He sought
to improve the environment. His expansion of the national park
system included protection of 103 million acres of Alaskan
lands. To increase human and social services, he created the
Department of Education, bolstered the Social Security system,
and appointed record numbers of women, blacks, and Hispanics to
Government jobs.
In foreign affairs, Carter set his own style. His championing
of human rights was coldly received by the Soviet Union and some
other nations. In the Middle East, through the Camp David
agreement of 1978, he helped bring amity between Egypt and
Israel. He succeeded in obtaining ratification of the Panama
Canal treaties. Building upon the work of predecessors, he
established full diplomatic relations with the People's Republic
of China and completed negotiation of the SALT II nuclear
limitation treaty with the Soviet Union.
There were serious setbacks, however. The Soviet invasion of
Afghanistan caused the suspension of plans for ratification of
the SALT II pact. The seizure as hostages of the U. S. embassy
staff in Iran dominated the news during the last 14 months of
the administration. The consequences of Iran's holding Americans
captive, together with continuing inflation at home, contributed
to Carter's defeat in 1980. Even then, he continued the
difficult negotiations over the hostages. Iran finally released
the 52 Americans the same day Carter left office.
NOTES:
Jimmy Carter Library and Museum
http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.org/
