Presidency of Jimmy Carter facts for kids
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Quick facts for kids
Presidency of Jimmy Carter
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| January 20, 1977 – January 20, 1981 | |
| Cabinet | See list |
| Party | Democratic |
| Election | 1976 |
| Seat | White House |
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← Gerald Ford • Ronald Reagan →
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Jimmy Carter was the 39th president of the United States. His time as president began on January 20, 1977. It ended on January 20, 1981.
Carter was a Democrat from Georgia. He won the 1976 election against Republican president Gerald Ford. After one term, he lost the 1980 election to Ronald Reagan. Carter lived to be 100 years old. He was the oldest and longest-living president. He also had the longest time after being president.
Contents
Challenges at Home
When Carter became president, the U.S. economy faced "stagflation". This meant high prices for goods and slow job growth. Carter wanted to fix this by spending less government money. He hoped this would help control rising prices.
Energy and the Economy
Energy was a big concern in the 1970s. Carter's team created a national energy plan. This plan aimed to save energy and find new energy sources. In 1979, the country faced another energy crisis. A recession (a time of economic slowdown) followed in 1980.
Carter tried to change welfare, healthcare, and tax systems. But he did not have much success. This was partly because he had trouble working with other Democrats in Congress.
Foreign Policy and Human Rights
Carter changed how the U.S. dealt with other countries. He focused on human rights. This means making sure people are treated fairly everywhere. He continued to work for peace during the Cold War.
Key Agreements
Carter made relations normal with China. He also worked on arms control talks with the Soviet Union. He helped arrange the Camp David Accords. This was a peace agreement between Israel and Egypt.
Through the Torrijos–Carter Treaties, Carter promised to give the Panama Canal to Panama. This happened later.
Soviet Union and the Olympics
In 1979, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. Carter strongly spoke out against this. He changed his peaceful approach to the Soviet Union. He started to build up the military. He also put diplomatic pressure on them. For example, the U.S. pulled out of the Moscow Olympics.
End of Presidency
The last 15 months of Carter's presidency were tough. The Iran hostage crisis began. The economy also struggled.
Ted Kennedy, a well-known Democrat, challenged Carter. Kennedy wanted a national health insurance system. Carter won the Democratic nomination for president again. But he lost the 1980 election to Republican Ronald Reagan.
Historians and experts often rank Carter as an average president. However, his work after being president is seen very positively.
See also
- History of the United States (1964–1980)
- Jimmy Carter rabbit incident
- Sixth Party System
- Timeline of United States history (1970–1989)
