Carter, Jimmy Administration

James earl (“jimmy”) carter jr. (1924–) was the 39th president of the United States and served from 1977–81 as the leader of the Democratic Party. Walter Mondale, former U.S. Senator from Minnesota, served as his vice president. Citizens scarred by the Watergate scandal, which led to President Richard Nixon's downfall and eventual resignation, perceived Carter as exemplifying simple principles of faith and honesty. Carter claimed a desire to restore integrity and morals to the American presidency and politics in general.

In terms of environmental challenges, the Carter administration is notable in its efforts to manage the oil shortages of the early 1970s, which had contributed to persistent levels of high unemployment and inflation in the country. The oil crisis further revealed America's gross reliance on foreign ...