Jimmy Carter example essay topic

Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter, Jr. ), thirty-ninth President of the United States, was born October 1, 1924, in the small farming town of Plains, Georgia. Peanut farming, talks of politics, and devotions to the Baptist faith were mainstays of his upbringing. His father, James Earl Carter, Sr., was a farmer and businessman; his mother, Lillian Gordy Carter, a registered nurse. He was educated in the Plains public schools, attended Georgia Southwestern College and the Georgia Institute of Technology, and received a B.S. degree from the United States Naval Academy in 1946.

He later did graduate work in nuclear physics at Union College. During his naval career, he served as a submariner in both the Atlantic and Pacific fleets and rose to the rank of Lieutenant (Senior Grade), working under Admiral Hyman Rickover in the development of the nuclear submarine program. On July 7, 1946, he married Rosalynn Smith. The Carters had three sons, John William (Jack), James Earl (Chip), Donne l Jeffrey (Jeff), and a daughter, Amy Lynn. When his father died in 1953, he resigned his naval commission and returned to Plains.

He worked his own farm, and he and his wife Rosalynn operated Carter's Warehouse, a general-purpose seed and farm supply company. He became involved in the affairs of the community, serving as chairman of the county school board and the first president of the Georgia Planning Association. 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 and was elected President on November 2, 1976. Jimmy Carter served as President from Januar 20, 1977 to January 20, 1981. Noteworthy foreign policy accomplishments of his administration included the Panama Canal treaties, the Camp David Accords, the treaty of peace between Egypt and Israel, the SALT II treaty with the Soviet Union, and the establishment of U.S. diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. He championed human rights throughout the world. On the domestic side, the administration's achievements included a comprehensive energy program conducted by a new Department of Energy; deregulation in energy, transportation, communications, and finance; major educational programs under a new Department of Education; and major environmental protection legislation, including the Alaska Lands Act. Many of Mr. Carter's character traits were recognized by the country.

Certain decisions he made appeared to be sudden and impulsive. His lack of communication within his associates may have been caused by his subdued personality. Many of these traits were recognized within the political field. His changing of issues which seemed spontaneous and his deficiency of communication may have harmed his ability to be a better president. As a president, he was responsible for emphasizing ecology, efficiency in government, and the removal of racial barriers. His contributions had an immense impact on society and are still useful today.

He overcame many foreign policy enigmas, issues in energy, transportation, communications, and finance. He also abolished many educational and environmental problems also. Carter was not elected for a second term but said that in his second term he would have liked to focus on three issues; nuclear destruction, the need to preserve earth's natural resources, and upholding basic human rights of people everywhere. Carter's foes believe he focused too much on foreign issues, acted impulsive at times, and lacked communication inside the political area. Although, his impact on society has elevated since his leave of office. Mr. Carter published an autobiography, Why Not the Best in 1975 (revised 1996), and A Government as Good as Its People in 1977 (revised 1996).

Since his Presidency, he has published eleven books, several of which are now in revised editions. 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. After leaving the White House, Carter returned to Georgia, where in 1982 he founded the nonprofit Carter Center in Atlanta to promote peace and human rights worldwide.

The Center has initiated projects in more than 65 countries to resolve conflicts, prevent human rights abuses, build democracy, improve health, and revitalize urban areas. He and his wife, Rosalynn, still reside in Plains. 37 f.