The 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, was a man dedicated to peace, human rights, and service. During his presidency, he faced many challenges just like the presidents before him, and in his years as the former president, he created a legacy based on his humanitarian endeavors that cemented him as a great man in American History.
Early Life
Jimmy Carter was born in Plains, Georgia, on his family farm where his father’s main crop was peanuts. Carter enrolled in naval academy and ended up serving in the navy for seven years. His experience in the navy molded his future in politics and his dedication to public service.
Governor
Carter followed a political career and became a state senator in 1962. After that, he ended serving a term as the Governor of Georgia. During his term, he made it his goal to eliminate racial discrimination and government efficiency. In this issues, Carter stood out among other politicians around him.
Presidency
Carter’s political presence expanded until he was inaugurated as president in 1977. He quickly addressed important issues such as the energy crisis and put a national energy policy in place. During his presidency, he created two new U.S. Departments – the Department of Education, and the Department of Energy. He also put over 56 million acres of natural land under permanent protection.
Foreign Policies
Carter didn’t just look at domestic issues, he looked at foreign policies and managed to create diplomatic relations with China. He also negotiated that the Panama Canal go back to belonging to Panama, which was a controversial move both at the time and even today.
Peace Treaties
Carter was the first president to successfully negotiate a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel, just one year after his presidency had started. This agreement called the Camp David accords ended a state-of-war that had lasted for 31 years. It was signed by both the Israeli Egyptian prime minister and the Egyptian president at the time.
Humanitarian Work
While Carter was in office, he pushed human rights as a big part of his foreign policies. He would speak out against oppressive governments and wanted civil and political rights for every nation. He was against undemocratic and any kind of segregation, or regime-like political rule. Carter’s presidency ended in 1981.
The Carter Center
After Carter’s term ended, he still wanted to make a difference and made efforts to help out however he could. He built The Carter Center, which is a non-profit organization based on the premise of helping people. The center is still very much around today and aims to resolve conflicts, prevent diseases, and address human rights issues.
Nobel Peace Prize
In 2002, Carter’s work towards peace and human rights was recognized, and he was given a Nobel Peace Prize. The award only cemented the fact that Carter’s pursuit of humanitarian aid was tireless, and he was committed beyond recognition.
Legacy
Carter left a lasting legacy through his legislative changes as president, as well as his humanitarian efforts through his non-profit organization. He committed his life to making the world a better place, and his impact can be seen even today. He passed away in 2024 after 100 years of life.
Sources:
Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter: A Legacy of Leadership and Humanity
