President Jimmy Carter passed away at 100 years old on December 29th, 2024. The president’s death garnered a variety of reactions from across the United states, with Sharon being no exception. Thus, the Talon reached out to multiple SHS history teachers to hear their reactions to the president’s passing.
Carter, born in 1924, spent his childhood on his family’s peanut farm in Plains, Georgia. Upon graduating from the United States Naval Academy in 1946, Carter married Rosalynn Smith. He later entered into state politics and was elected as governor of Georgia in 1971. The Democrat announced his candidacy for president in 1974; over the next two years, his campaign picked up great traction. In 1977, Carter was inaugurated as president after beating Republican Gerald Ford by 56 electoral votes. However, our nation’s 39th president failed to secure a second term, losing to Republican Ronald Reagan. A national day of mourning was held for the president on January 9, 2025 with the closing of the stock market, government offices, and mail services.
When asked about his life, World History and European History teacher Ms. Perkins said, “Jimmy Carter was a humanitarian and cared about humanitarian causes”. AP U.S. History teacher Ms. Feldman elaborated on this, citing his upbringing as a main motivation for his work. “I think being raised in an environment where he was around poverty, racism, and other rural challenges shaped his views on human rights and helping others. During his presidency and especially after his presidency, service to others was something that he valued.” In his term, Carter mitigated an overseas conflict with the Camp David Accords, signed the Alaska National Interest Land Conservation Act, created the Department of Education, and advocated for human rights.
However, the Carter administration had difficulty tackling high inflation and rising energy costs. History and economics teacher Mr. Sanborn explains that “The rise in oil prices caused inflation and prices rose across the economy. In an attempt to combat inflation, the Carter Administration instated Economist Paul Volcker as chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of the United States; however, his work contributed to an economic recession in the 1980s.” Ms. Perkins added that this economic malaise during the Carter administration led Americans to vote “with their pocket books” against Carter.
After his presidency, Jimmy Carter founded the Carter Center in 1982, which aimed to promote human rights all over the world. Carter’s humanitarian efforts led to him being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Now, after his death, Jimmy Carter’s legacy continues onwards. Ms. Perkins said, “Jimmy Carter will be remembered more for his statesmanship as an ex-president, contributing to human rights and encouraging civic action.”
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/08/business/open-closed-national-day-of-mourning/index.html
https://millercenter.org/president/carter/life-before-the-presidency
https://millercenter.org/president/carter/campaigns-and-elections
