The Best President Of The United States History Essay
Abraham Lincoln: He was the president who saved the Union during the Civil War. Even though he wanted to save his country he also wanted to abolish slavery at the same time. Lincoln believed that to save the union they needed to restrict slavery, even though to him the union came first. He stated, “If I could save the Union without freeing any slaves I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that.” Another speech of his about a government by the people and for the people gave birth towards a new form of democracy. Lincoln expanded the power of the presidency out of the necessity of running the war
Franklin Roosevelt: He is the only president of the US who served four terms in office; he worked hard to end the Great Depression. He revived the economy through Wall Street, Banks, and Transportation. The industrial economy grew and created jobs in all kinds of different areas. He led the United States during most of World War II. He led by bold action and with a charismatic personality. Though handicapped by childhood polio that left him unable to walk on his own, he gave hope to the people that all problems could be overcome if the people accepted sacrifice and worked together.
Thomas Jefferson: He decided to execute the Louisiana Purchase, he was a strong a very strong states right activist. He also realized that the federal government needed consolidation of power. He fought against capitalists and the system; many people thought that the capitalist system was the defining feature of the US and its citizens. For capitalist systems to operate they require a bunch of building blocks and one of the main blocks is the central bank. While he was a strong advocate of individual and state’s rights he was also a pragmatist who realized that some powers of a central government were necessary. His Louisiana Purchase expanded the power of the presidency in international negotiations.
Theodor Roosevelt- He impacted Americans being known to them as “Trust Buster” and took over every corrupted business in the country. He committed to conservation of wild life; he created National Parks, and expanded industrialization. His leadership included a strong international presence has he intervened in the Russian/China war, sent the great White Fleet to impress the world, battled piracy and built the Panama Canal improving trade around the world.
The first four are the choice presidents who did vital job, in humanity and abolishing of slavery , integrity sovereignty, and victories of US in the national and international stage.
Second Tier Presidents
Andrew Jackson: Andrew was the common man that came into office, this man with his humbleness became the representative of the American Dream. Jackson was a strong nationalist; he decided to move the Native Americans during the “Trail of Tears” and fought against the National Bank.
Woodrow Wilson: Wilson was in control when America moved from staying out of world affairs (isolationism) to playing a major role on the world stage. He decided to enter the World War I and come out of isolation. Wilson hoped to bring the US into the League of Nations – the beginnings of the United Nations. Wilson emphasized the limitations of government not to increase its power.
Harry S. Truman: He entered during the most difficult time of US history. He was also the one who decided to drop the atomic bomb on Japan during World War II. He also organized the end of the Second World War and established the beginning of the Cold War. He exerted the power of the president by removing General MacArthur the very powerful and popular U.S. General leading the United Nations forces in Korea. He also helped to establish the aid programs that helped to rebuild Europe and Japan after the war.
James K. Polk: He increased the size of the US, and arranged the acquisition of Mexico and California. Through the Mexican and American War, he claimed Oregon territory and was an extremely effective leader during the war.
The second four presidents are domestic manager, activist at the international affairs, victories of world war II and home land protectionist.
Third Tier Presidents
Dwight Eisenhower: He was the commanding general during World War II against Germany and its allies. He was in office during a time of prosperity and great economic gain. He was also a key leader during the cold war and with foreign relations. He got a truce with Korea and tried to decrease tension during the Cold War. He states that the America is the strongest, most inferential, and productive nation of the world. He warned against the influence of the military industrial complex and presided over the interstate highway system construction that some in political science believe was the most important legislation of the 20th century.
James Monroe: His manners were dignified and honest; he made a strong cabinet in foreign affairs and stated that fundamental policy that bared his name. Known as the Monroe doctrine this told foreign powers to stay out of the affairs of the Americas. He made a strong comeback for the US to prepare in foreign relationships for the next decade.
John F. Kennedy: JFK was the first Roman Catholic who gained the presidential office in the US. His famous speech, “Ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country.” He laid plans for an assault on the pockets of privation and poverty. He took action for equal rights, calling for new civil rights. His vision extended the quality of the national culture and role of arts in the society. He brought American idealism to aid of developing nations.
Ronald Reagan: Reagan’s view had shifted from liberal to conservative. He obtained legislation to stimulate economic growth, curb inflation, increase employment, and strengthen national defense. In foreign policies, Reagan sought “peace through strength”. During his terms he increased defense spending by 35%, but wanted to improve relations with the Soviet Union. He gave support to anti-Communist insurgencies in Central America, Asia, and Africa. He was president during the end of the Cold War.
The third four presidents are the key leader in the cold war and foreign relationship, block stone for the next stage of US foreign relationship in the world, charismatic leader and active for equal and civil rights and strengthener of the national defense, economical growth and supporter of anti-Communist insurgencies to protect the national interest of USA.
Fourth Tier Presidents:
Bill Clinton was the second president of the US who was impeached because of the Lewinsky Scandal, although he surprisingly stayed in office. His term included economic expansion; his economical policy is the North American Free Trade Agreement and Welfare Reform. He is the first president after the Cold War and the revolution of communications in his time.
Gerald Ford: Ford had challenges including mastering inflation, reviving a depressed economy, solving energy shortages, and tried to ensure world peace. He acted to solve the problems of the American society and economy. In the long run, he thought this shift would bring a better life for Americans. In foreign affairs Ford acted to maintain US power after the collapse of Cambodia and South Vietnam. Preventing a new war in the Middle East remained large; he did this by helping out both Israel and Egypt. His administration helped the two countries into accepting a truce agreement.
Lyndon B. Johnson: His first years of office were where he obtained one of the most extensive legislative programs in the nation’s history. He was on the struggle to restrain Communism in Vietnam. In 1960 he was elected as JFK’s Vice President, and on November 22, 1963 when JFK was assassinated Johnson was sworn in. In congress of January 1965 the Great Society became his main goal: to aid in education, disease, Medicare, urban renewal, conservation, developing depressed locations, fights against poverty, removing obstacles in voting and insure civil rights for all.
Richard M. Nixon: During his presidency the nation was divided with controversies in cities and over-seas wars. Nixon succeeded in ending fighting in Vietnam and improving relations with China and the U.S.S.R. But the Watergate scandal brought new divisions to the country and led to his resignation.
The fourth four presidents are the economy developer but impeached by the Lewinsky Scandal, reviver of a depressed economy, reviving social services, ended the Vietnam war and improver of US , China and USSR relations.