Jimmy Carter

:For the submarine, see USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23).

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James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. (born 1 October, 1924 in Plains, Ga), an American politician, was the 39th President of the United States (1977–1981), and 83rd (1971–1975) Governor of Georgia. Carter's presidency was marked by retrenchment, after the disappointing agony that had been the Vietnam War, and economic stagflation churning at home. With the humiliating Iranian hostage crisis beginning in November 1979, and the international outrage at the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan later the same year, Carter appeared impotent, as America saw its influence declining abroad. Inflation and interest rates reached their highest levels since World War II, as the Carter administration froze domestic oil prices in response to rising prices from OPEC. The Misery Index, Carter's own invention of economic well-being, rose 50% in four years. Among his administration's actions, were the Panama Canal treaties, the Camp David Accords, and the SALT II treaty with the Soviet Union. The Carter administration failed to reform the tax system, and to reduce the size of the government bureaucracy, as promised during the 1976 campaign, or to pass the Martin Luther King holiday, despite Carter's own Democratic Party controlling both Houses of Congress, and the White House. His administration oversaw the founding of the Departments of Energy and Education, and enacted strong legislation on environmental protection.

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1 October - 1924 - Plains - Ga - American politician - President - United States - 1977 - 1981 - 1971 - 1975 - Governor of Georgia - Vietnam War - Stagflation - Iranian hostage crisis - Soviet invasion of Afghanistan - Inflation - World War II - OPEC - Misery Index - Panama Canal - Camp David Accords - SALT II - Soviet Union - Martin Luther King holiday - Democratic Party - Energy - Education

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In the decades since he left office, Carter gained more respect for his role as an international mediator and peacemaker, and has used his position as a former president to further many charitable causes. In 1982, he founded the Carter Center as a forum for issues related to democracy and human rights. He has also traveled extensively to monitor elections, conduct peace negotiations, and establish relief efforts. In 2002, Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize for his "efforts to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development."

Related Topics:
Charitable causes - 1982 - Carter Center - Democracy - Human rights - 2002 - Nobel Peace Prize

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