The Peace Corps.

From SJS Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search

Fast Facts From
Peacecorps.gov

Peace Corps officially established:
March 1, 1961

Total number of Volunteers and trainees to date:
190,000

Total number of countries served:
139

Current number of Volunteers and Trainees:
8,079

Gender:
59% female, 41% male

Marital Status:
93% single, 7% married

People of Color:
17% of Peace Corps Volunteers

Age:
27 years old (average),
25 years old (median)

Volunteers over age 50:
5% (oldest Volunteer is 80)

Education:
95% have at least an undergraduate degree,
11% have graduate studies or degrees

Current number of countries served:
68 posts serving 74 countries

Volunteers by Work Area:
Education: 36%
Health & HIV/AIDS: 21%
Business: 15%
Environment: 14%
Youth: 6%
Agriculture: 5%
Other: 4%

Fiscal year 2008 budget:
$330.8 million

Current Director
Ronald A. Tschetter

Figures are based on data as of September 30, 2007.
Percentages may not total 100 because of rounding.[1]

Summary

With the aim of promoting world peace and friendship, President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961. As written in the original mission statement, the organization was based upon three goals:

  1. Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
  2. Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
  3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.[2]

The organization grew throughout the decade, fulfilling President Kennedy's call for American citizens to be the first in beginning the movement toward eventual international prosperity and peace. Drawing attention to the worldwide suffering that had previously been ignored, the Peace Corps became a cause that many could wholeheartedly contribute to and support. Thought some opposition did present itself throughout the 60s, more and more Americans began packing up and volunteering overseas, turning Kennedy's dream into a reality that still exists today. (GOOD: BUT IT LIGHT OF THE ASSIGNMENT YOU MIGHT HAVE WANTED TO SPECULATED FOR THE READER-- THAT JFK WAS INTERESTED IN GLOBAL INTERACTION AND DID WANT TO PRESENT THE US AS A MODEL BUT IN DOING SO HE RAISED SOME SERIOUS QUESTIONS. COULD THE US BE THE MODEL OF DEMOCRACY WHEN PEOPLE COULD NOT DRINK FROM THE SAME WATER FOUNTAIN OR USE THE SAME RESTROOM? WHAT HE DID WAS ENCOURAGED MANY AMERICANS TO TAKE A LOOK AT THEMSELVES--AND SOME DID NOT LIKE WHAT THEY SAW WHILE OTHERS DID NOT LIKE THE SOLUTIONS?

Precursors

America has a special tradition of missions, starting with the early missionaries from Europe who preached Christian doctrine to native Americans in the New World. These missionaries, in addition to their New England successors, combined their efforts to spread the Christian gospel with practical skills, sharing information on modern medicine, agriculture, structures, and education.

Religious groups were the first precursors to the Peace Corps, although these organizations were the most dissimilar to the Peace Corps. Private philanthropy groups that were not affiliated with a religion eventually were established. Groups such as the Red Cross, 4H, Project Hope, and Volunteers for International Development were pioneers in international service. Colleges and universities also offered opportunities for students to serve, which became a crucial component of the Peace Corps. Perhaps the group most closely related to the Peace Corps was the International Voluntary Services (IVS), which was a nondenominational volunteer group that attracted specialized college graduates. The IVS differentiated from the Peace Corps in that it was not a federal organization.

The United States federal government also had experience in public service types of organizations. Franklin D. Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps worked toward assisting the local impoverished during the Great Depression. Roosevelt's National Youth Administration upheld the same concept while focusing on American high school and college students. Additionally, in the 1950s, the World Federalists proposed an international assistance program. The United Automobile Workers proposed a plan to train American youth and send them abroad to serve and teach in impoverished countries.

While some aspects and traditions of service precursors to the Peace Corps were a source of conflict and controversy in the formation of the Peace Corps, both religious and nondenominational organizations served as precursors to the Peace Corps by setting a precedent for service to those less fortunate. [3]

Gubernatorial Origins

The three men who were instrumental in the founding of the Peace Corps were Henry Reuss, Hubert H. Humphrey, and John F. Kennedy. Reuss and Humphrey both crafted different versions of the Peace Corps in Congress during the late 1950s.

Hubert%20Humphrey%20DePauw.jpg
Hubert Humphrey[4]


Humphrey & Reuss

Humphrey, a senator from Minnesota, was the first to use the name "Peace Corps." He proposed the Peace Corps much in the way that it was passed in 1961. His vision included young Americans who were specialized going overseas to help develop nations. He did not see Peace Corps involvement as an exemption for the military draft. Humphrey's plan was embraced by the younger generation but did not do well in the Sentate. However, the support gained by his first attempt allowed him to prepare another bill just before the 1960 presidential election.

Reuss' plan for the "Point Four Youth Corps" fared better in Congress. A committee was granted $10,000 to research the plan. [5] His "Point Four Youth Corps" was presented as an amendment to the Mutual Security Act. The Point Four Youth Corps was perceived as an extension, or the actualization, of the Marshall Plan. [6] Reuss was a congressman from Wisconsin. [7]

John F. Kennedy passed the Peace Corps bill, a fusion of the two ideas, on March 1, 1961.[8]

Kennedy's Contribution

For the sake of promoting his ideas about the Peace Corps, John F. Kennedy had a late night on October 14, 1960. At 2:00 a.m., Kennedy began a speech to students at the University of Michigan, urging them to focus on "a greater purpose:" helping to solve problems abroad.

"How many of you who are going to be doctors, are willing to spend your days in Ghana? Technicians or engineers, how many of you are willing to work in the Foreign Service and spend your lives traveling around the world? On your willingness to do that, not merely to serve one year or two years in the service, but on your willingness to contribute part of your life to this country, I think will depend the answer whether a free society can compete. I think it can! And I think Americans are willing to contribute. But the effort must be far greater than we have ever made in the past." [9]

After planting this initial seed within a small community, Kennedy later challenged the entire nation. In his inaugural address, Kennedy asked Americans to support their country in its pursuit in maintaining the freedom of man. Recognizing that "man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty," Kennedy cried out to his fellow Americans, "let us begin." [10]Thus the main force behind the instigation of the Peace Corps movement, Kennedy was instrumental in founding the organization in March of 1961 and by August 28 of the same year, he honored the first group of Peace Corps volunteers before they journeyed to Ghana and Tanzania.


03252r.jpg
A comic on the Peace Corps[11]

Reception

In the United States, the Peace Corps quickly gained the support of all people. Despite the overall enthusiasm toward the organization, there were some matters of controversy surrounding the Peace Corps in its early stages [12] [13] in addition to the Post Card Incident.[14]

On the Home Front

Early Controversy

Many Americans opposed the initial Peace Corps movement due to concern about the federalization of a missionary movement, which would violate the separation of Church and State. Additionally, people doubted the success of a service organization that did not have the fervor associated with religion. These problems were overcome by the assertion that the Peace Corps would be spreading Americanism, not religion. [15]

Draft exemption was part of the early plans for the Peace Corps. However, many Americans opposed this idea as it would attract draft dodgers to the Peace Corps. [16] When the bill for the Peace Corps was passed in 1961, the draft exemption was not included. [17]


Positive Feedback

The Peace Corps was wildly popular in the United States, particularly among colleges. In a college polling of 950 school presidents, 9:1 were in favor of the Peace Corps. [18] Students said that the Corps was a "fabulous idea." [19] Before the bill was passed, 500 students from Amherst signed a letter to support the Peace Corps. [20] Accordingly, as students and teachers became aware of the problems abroad, they became avid supporters of the program and its mission.

"The young Americans found they were not only creating a positive attitude for America but also acquiring education themselves in foreign beliefs and social customs."[21]

Negative Feedback

Negative outlooks on the Peace Corps mostly included claims that the Peace Corps was simply a nice way for the United States government to stick its nose where it didn't belong. It was referred to as a "public relations gimmick" with the intention of spreading the New Frontier. [22] Others complained that the plans were unstable and the recruits unprepared. [23]. Several doubted the sufficiency of the training of Peace Corps members. [24] (comments: R. DOINA: PERHAPS THIS SECTION COULD HAVE BEEN EXPANDED. WHAT WAS TAKING PLACE INTERNATIONALLY THAT WOULD ADD SOME SUPPORT TO THESE CLAIMS)

Abroad

"Every bit of response from abroad so far has been favorable except in India, but I don't think they understood the idea in India." [25]

While Maurice Albertson's [COMMENT: DOINA; WHO WAS HE?} assessment of the international opinion on the Peace Corps was perhaps a little politically incorrect, he captured the general likability of the program around the world, with a few exceptions. The Peace Corps was generally accepted abroad in countries that did not practice communism. Within a year of its formation, thirty six countries had requested some type of assistance. The Peace Corps was certainly in demand.[26] Such requests were considered to be strong evidence of the high regard foreign countries had for the United States Peace Corps.[27]{COMMENT DOINA: SUCH AS: THIS IS TOO VAUGE.}

Communist countries opposed the Peace Corps due to an underlying motive from the United States: "We have to make sure we are not merely sending over people who are anti-Communist for the sake of preserving capitalism but who have a basic knowledge of the nature of the imperialism of Russian communism."[28]

Postcard Crisis

In October 1961, a young woman in the Peace Corps described her conditions in Nigeria as "squalor and absolute primitive living conditions rampant both in cities and the bush," in a postcard to a friend in the United States. Her postcard was intercepted by a Nigerian University, who was greatly offended. Nigerian students protested and called for the deportation of the Peace Corps, which they accused of being "a scheme designed to foster neo-colonialism." [29] The Peace Corps did not withdraw.[30] The Peace Corps experienced no other major crises in its younger years. {COMMENT:DOINA: GOOD USE OF INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNT}

Success?

{COMMENTS DOINA: THIS IS THE MOST DIFFICULT SECTION. ON THE ONE HAND THE STATISTICS WOULD BE VERY HARD TO MEASURE AND VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND IF THEY EXISTED. yOU CITATIONS ARE ALSO QUESTIONABLE SINCE THEY COME FROM A PERIOD BETWEEN 1961 AND 1966 (EXCEPT FOR THE FIRST ONE)

190,000 volunteers and trainees have volunteered in 139 countries since the Peace Corps was initially founded.[31] But has it achieved its mission?

"I find most people very curious and seemingly interested in

my Peace Corps experience--up to a certain point. I limit my
replies to their inquiries to one-sentence answers. People
seem to life to hear baout my experience--but only briefly."[32]

Based on this response from a Peace Corps volunteer,
returning Americans had a difficult time influencing
those around them and genuinely inciting change.


Purpose One: Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their needs for trained men and women.
Before the Peace Corps was created, roughly 2/3 of the world was illiterate and half of all people in the world lived off of $100 each year. [33] Though the Peace Corps could never have eliminated problems such as these throughout the globe, it was able, as an organization, to vastly improve living conditions in many underdeveloped countries. Despite some critical predictions made evident through cartoons and articles, the Peace Corps eventually proved itself a workable institution capable of accomplishing much in the lives of those abroad. [34]

Purpose Two: Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
Though the primary goal of the Peace Corps was community service, the volunteers served as representatives of their country. Not restricted by distance, the Peace Corps was, through rigorous training, able to support both international philanthropic service as well as represent its country. As stated in the Journal of Higher Education, "the trainees represent the finest human resources the United States can offer."[35] Who better, then, to represent our country?


"That a training program can draw out individual

potentiality, that it can create the new awareness and the
international sophisication so desperately needed... that its
intensity can, indeed, educate, there can be little doubt."[36]

Roy Fairfield, commenting on the positive impact
of the Peace Corps on University students.
Purpose Three: Helping promote a better understanding of other poeples on the part of Americans.
In founding the Peace Corps, both President Kennedy and the Congress addressed their realization of the importance of Americans becoming more aware of the situations of people living in developin countries in the world in which they lived. Expecting returning volunteers to bring home their experiences, they expected American societies, as well as societies in which they served, to be impacted by the Peace Corps. Initially believing this purpose would be best carried out if the Peace Corps "attracted people solely because of a desire to serve, not because of special benefits," Congress voted against offering benefits to Peace Corps volunteers.

Accordingly, half of all volunteers changed their career goals during their service in the Peace Corps,[37], thus the third mission statement had been accomplished; Changed by the Peace Corps experience, Americans developed a better understanding of themselves and their duty to help those in this world who are struggling. Not only have they recognized their responsibility to others, but also the need to take initiative to focus on problems which have been brought to their attention and understanding.

The Peace Corps Today

Volunteers now serve in 74 countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe and the Middle East working in areas such as education, youth outreach and community develpment.[38] Currently, there are 8,070 volunteers and trainees in the Peace Corps who, together, are serving 74 countries. 36% of these volunteers work with educational aspects, 21% deal with Health and HIV/AIDs issues, and 15% in aid with business. The current director, appointed by George W. Bush, is Ronald A. Tschetter, a man who had previously volunteered alongside his wife with the Peace Corps as a community health worker in India. [39]

Significant People

350px-Sargent_Shriver-JFK.jpg
Sargent Shriver with JFK.[40]

R. Sargent Shriver

Shriver, appointed by Kennedy as the first director of the Peace Corps, served from March 11, 1961 until February 28, 1966. [41] During his time in the position, Shriver furthered the mission of the Peace Corps and set the standard by organizing over 14,500 volunteers to participate in programs in 55 developing countries.

Jack Vaughn

Following Shriver, Vaughn was appointed by President Johnson on March 1, 1966. As the organization grew exponentially, he focused on "marketing, programming, and Volunteer support." [42] Vaughn also expanded the effects volunteers had in their respective countries by encouraging assignments relating to natural resources. His term ended April 30, 1969.

300px-Jack_Vaughn.jpg
Jack Vaughn, center, was, "in a bar at 12:30 on<br?>

M Street in Georgetown when the bar telephone
rang and the bartender asked, 'Is there a Mr.
ack Vaughn here?' ... On the line was President
Lyndon Baines Johnson himself. 'Vaughn,' said LBJ.
'How would you like to be the director
of the Peace Corps?' 'Mr. President,' Vaughn replied
calmly, 'I thought you'd never ask.'" [43]



Joseph Blatchford

Blatchford was Nixon's choice for director, but he served in a different way than did his predecessors. In charge of the newly created ACTION agency, an umbrella organization including the Peace Corps as well as other volunteer service programs, Blatchford formed to programs to enhance the Peace Corps. The first was the Office of Returned Volunteers, which aimed to aid Americans on their return to the United States in serving their home communities. The second was titled New Directions, "a program emphasizing Volunteer skills."[44]

Notable Volunteers[45]

Richard "Kinky" Friedman: Malaysia, 1967-1969
Mildred Taylor (author ofvRoll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, winner of Newberry Award): Ethiopia, 1965-1967
Kathy Tierny (CEO of Sur La Table): Fiji, 1967-1969
Frederic Poses (CEO of American Standard Co.): Peru, 1967-1969
Michael McCaskey (chairman of board, Chicago Bears): Ethiopia, 1965-1967
Charlie Clifford (founder of Tumi luggage): Peru, 1967-1969
Edward Dolby (President of Bank of America, Carolinas): India, 1966-1968
Sauel Gillespie III (Senior Vice President of Exxon Mobile Corp.): Kenya, 1967-1970

References

  1. ↑ "Fast Facts," 28 Aug. 2008, http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whatispc.fastfacts
  2. ↑ "What is the Peace Corps?" 25 Aug. 2008, <http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whatispc.mission>.
  3. ↑ Rice, Gerald T, The Bold Experiment, Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press, 1985.
  4. ↑ http://www.harvarddems.com/blog/254
  5. ↑ Rice, Gerald T, The Bold Experiment, Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press, 1985.
  6. ↑ Arndt, C.O, "Foreign Aid Bill Praised," New York Times 16 March 1960.
  7. ↑ Braestrup, Peter, "Kennedy Sets Up U.S. Peace Corps to Work Abroad," New York Times 2 Mar. 1961: 1.
  8. ↑ Rice, Gerald T, The Bold Experiment, Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press, 1985.
  9. ↑ "Remarks of Senator John F. Kennedy," 25 Aug. 2008, <http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whatispc.history.speech>.
  10. ↑ "John F. Kenndy Inaugural Address," 2 Sep. 2008, <http://www.bartleby.com/124/pres56.html>.
  11. ↑ http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/mauldin/mauldin-cartoonist.html
  12. ↑ Rice, Gerald T, The Bold Experiment, Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press, 1985.
  13. ↑ "Two Peace Corps Problems," The New York Times, 11 Mar 1961: 20.
  14. ↑ "Postcard to Friend Reporting 'Primitive Living' Leads to Protest by Students," New York Times, 16 Oct. 1961: 10.
  15. ↑ Rice, Gerald T, The Bold Experiment, Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press, 1985.
  16. ↑ "Two Peace Corps Problems," The New York Times, 11 Mar 1961: 20.
  17. ↑ Rice, Gerald T, The Bold Experiment, Indiana: University of Notre Dame Press, 1985.
  18. ↑ "College Presidents Give Approval in a Poll by Margin of 9 to 1," New York Times, 6 Mar 1961: 1.
  19. ↑ "Project Gains Backing of Most Undergraduates -- Women Eager," New York Times, 6 Mar 1961: 1.
  20. ↑ "Support for 'Peace Corps,'" New York Times, 27 Nov 1960: E7.
  21. ↑ Samuels, Gertrude, "A Force of Youth as a Force for Peace," New York Times, 5 Feb 1961: SM26.
  22. ↑ "Project Gains Backing of Most Undergraduates -- Women Eager," New York Times, 6 Mar 1961: 1.
  23. ↑ "Rep. Bolton Hts Peace Corps Plan," New York Times, 8 Mar 1961: 13.
  24. ↑ "Peace Corps Doubt Is Voiced," New York Times, 29 Mar 1961: 25.
  25. ↑ Braestrup, Peter, "Peace Corps Finds it is in Demand," New York Times 14 Jan. 1962: E5.
  26. ↑ Braestrup, Peter, "Peace Corps Finds it is in Demand," New York Times 14 Jan. 1962: E5.
  27. ↑ "Peace Corps Work Is Hailed," New York Times, 6 Aug 1962: 9.
  28. ↑ "Project Gains Backing of Most Undergraduates -- Women Eager," New York Times, 6 Mar 1961: 1.
  29. ↑ "Postcard to Friend Reporting 'Primitive Living' Leads to Protest by Students," New York Times, 16 Oct. 1961: 10.
  30. ↑ Garrison, Lloyd, "U.S. to Maintain Group in Nigeria," New York Times, 17 Oct 1961: 6.
  31. ↑ "Fast Facts," 28 Aug. 2008, <http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whatispc.fastfacts>.
  32. ↑ Calvert, Robert, "The Returning Volunteer," Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science (1966): 105-18, JSTOR, Taub Library, Houston, Keyword: The Peace Corps.
  33. ↑ Samuels, Gertrude, "A Force of Youth for Peace," New York Times , 5 Feb, 1961: SM26.
  34. ↑ Samuels, Gertrude, "A Force of Youth as a Force for Peace," New York Times, 5 Feb 1961: SM26.
  35. ↑ Fairfield, Roy, "The Peace Corps and the University," Journal of Higher Education (1964): 189-201, JSTOR, Taub Library, Houston.
  36. ↑ Fairfield, Roy, "The Peace Corps and the University," Journal of Higher Education (1964): 189-201, JSTOR, Taub Library, Houston.
  37. ↑ Calvert, Robert. "The Returning Volunteer." Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science (1966): 105-18. JSTOR. Taub Library, Houston. Keyword: The Peace Corps.
  38. ↑ "Fast Facts," 28 Aug. 2008, http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whatispc.fastfacts
  39. ↑ "Ronald A. Tschetter." Peace Corps. 25 Aug. 2008. http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=Learn.whatispc.management.dir
  40. ↑ "Sargent Shriver." 1 Sep. 2008, <http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en-commons/thumb/5/5b/350px-Sargent_Shriver-JFK>.
  41. ↑ "Peace Corps Past Directors." Peace Corps. Peace Corps. 25 Aug. 2008 http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whatispc.history.pastdir.
  42. ↑ "Peace Corps Past Directors." Peace Corps. Peace Corps. 25 Aug. 2008 http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whatispc.history.pastdir.
  43. ↑ "Jack Vaughn: Peace Corps Legend," 27 Aug. 2008, http://peacecorpsonline.typepad.com/peacecorpsonline/2008/01/jack-vaughn-pea.html
  44. ↑ "Peace Corps Past Directors." Peace Corps. Peace Corps. 25 Aug. 2008 http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whatispc.history.pastdir.
  45. ↑ "Notable Former Volunteers." Peace Corps. Peace Corps. 25 Aug. 2008 http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn.whatispc.notable

COMMENTS: R. DOINA

I LIKED THE ORGANIZATION AND THE LAST SECTION ON INDIVIDUALS. THE HISTORY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE PEACE CORP WAS INFORMATIVE. WHEN DOING A PROJECT LIKE THIS ASK YOUSELF-- WHAT MAKES THIS ORGANIZATION SO UNIQUE? WHY WOULD COLLEGE STUDENT BE MOTIVATED BY SOMEONE LIKE JFK TO PUT OFF COLLEGE OR CHANGE THEIR CARREER? wAS THE REAL MISSION TO HELP OTHERS OR WAS THIS JUST A SMALL BATTLE IN THE COLD WAR? (DO NOT BE AFRAID TO TAKE A FEW RISKS) WHAT QUESTIONS DID THE IDEA OF SERVICE ABROAD OPEN ABOUT THE QUALITY OF LIFE AT HOME? HOW DIFFERENT WERE INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN HUTS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA THEN AFRICAN AMERICANS LIVING IN PARTS OF THE MISSISSIPPI AND OTHER PARTS OF THE DEEP SOUTH? WAS THE STANDARD OF LIVING THAT DIFFERENT?

== External links ==

Retrieved from "http://wiki.sjs.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Peace_Corps.&oldid=2201"