The legacy of late US President Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter had a difficult presidency, but is better remembered for his actions as a world statesman after leaving the White House.

The Carter Center announced that former US President Jimmy Carter passed away at his home in Plains, Georgia on December 29 (US time), at the age of 100, according to AFP. Mr. Carter had been cared for at a nursing home in Plains since mid-February 2023.

After Mr. Carter passed away, US President Joe Biden declared January 9, 2025 as a national day of mourning for Mr. Carter.

Former President Carter dies at age 100, America loses 'an extraordinary leader'

From farmer to president

Jimmy Carter was born in Plains in 1924 and grew up in a poor family, according to the BBC. When his father died in 1953, Carter gave up a seven-year career in the navy as a submariner to run the family farm, and gradually became prosperous.

He entered politics in the 1960s, was elected as a Georgia state senator and became Governor of Georgia in 1970. He won the 1976 US presidential election and was officially inaugurated as the 39th President of the United States on January 20, 1977.

On April 7, 1980, President Jimmy Carter announced new sanctions against Iran in retaliation for the taking of American hostages.

Carter's presidency was quickly beset by problems. At home, the oil crisis caused high inflation and unemployment, and he struggled to convince Americans to accept austerity measures. The pinnacle of Carter's presidency was the signing of the Camp David Accords in 1978, in which Egypt formally recognized the state of Israel. Carter also signed an agreement to return the Panama Canal to Panama.

But then he faced many disadvantages in international affairs. First, the Shah of Iran was overthrown in February 1979 and 66 Americans were taken hostage in Tehran in November 1979. The following month, the Soviet Union sent troops to Afghanistan. Accordingly, the US boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, Mr. Carter severed diplomatic relations and imposed an embargo on Iran.

However, the American people considered President Carter to be lacking in toughness, so his support rate dropped. When the hostage rescue attempt failed and 8 American soldiers were killed, Mr. Carter seemed to become weaker, according to the BBC.

Mr. Jimmy Carter and Cuban President Fidel Castro at an event in Havana (Cuba) on May 14, 2002.

Changing legacy

Mr. Carter's failed re-election bid made him the first elected sitting president to lose since 1932. However, in the more than 30 years since then, as a world statesman, former President Carter has done much to change his legacy while in office.

After leaving the White House, Mr. Carter became a diplomat and mediator around the world under the auspices of the Carter Center, which he founded in 1982 and is based in Atlanta, Georgia.

He worked behind the scenes to keep the Middle East peace process on track, and persuaded then-North Korean leader Kim Il Sung to open talks with South Korea. Carter also led a delegation that persuaded leaders in Haiti to relinquish power in 1994 and brokered a ceasefire in Bosnia.

He went on to achieve international recognition for his work promoting human rights and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his efforts to promote global peace. Since 2007, Mr. Carter has been a member of The Elders, a group committed to peace and human rights founded by the late South African President Nelson Mandela.

Leaders of many countries such as the UK, Germany, France, Australia, Canada, Ukraine, Cuba, Panama and Egypt... yesterday expressed condolences over the passing of former US President Jimmy Carter and had words of praise for him, according to AFP.

In addition, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that the country expressed "deep condolences" over Mr. Carter's passing. "Former President Carter was the one who promoted and made the decision to establish diplomatic relations between China and the United States," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning stressed.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhung-di-san-cua-co-tong-thong-my-jimmy-carter-185241230234008628.htm