11-20
Here are the next ten presidents ranked and why they are placed where they are:
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Here are the next ten presidents ranked and why they are placed where they are:
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11. JAMES MONROE (5th President, 1817-1825)
Monroe was the fifth president of the United States, and won two terms easily. At the beginning of Monroe’s first term, Missouri petitioned for statehood, which ignited a political conflict about slavery. Missouri could either have been a slave state or a free state. Eventually congress passed the Missouri Compromise of 1820. Missouri entered the union as a slave state and Maine entered the union as a free state. During this time Monroe also faced a border crisis in Florida, because the territory was still owned by Spain (but they did not really govern it which lead to Indian invasions). Monroe sent troops to this region and Spain ceded Florida to the United States with ease. One of Monroe’s most defining moments was when he gave a speech to congress about a dispute between Russia and America over Alaska. He said that America can not be colonized by any European powers; aka the Monroe Doctrine. Monroe was positioned below Johnson because of the impact that Johnson made on Civil Rights. Monroe was president during the ‘beginning’ stages of this movement (Missouri Compromise, end of slavery), but he could have done more to encourage the end to slavery. |
12. WOODROW WILSON (28th President, 1913-1921)
Despite the tragedy of his last year in office, Wilson left a legacy. He transformed the basic objective of American for foreign policy from isolation to internationalism, and his success in making the Democratic Party a “party of reform,” helped shape the modern presidency. Under his leadership, Congress enacted the most elaborate program of federal oversight of the nation's economy up to that time: banking reform under the auspices of the Federal Reserve System, tariff reduction, federal regulation of business, support for labor and collective bargaining, and federal aid for education. Also known for putting the U.S on the map as far as competing with other superpowers, revolutionary programs helped the United States begin to catch up with what was happening in other industrial states around the world. They reflected a deep rooted plan to develop the basis for the modern welfare state. In addition, his wartime mobilization program became a model for the New Deal’s fight against the Great Depression in the 1930s and for Franklin Roosevelt’s mobilization policies during World War II. He was the first statesman of world stature to speak out not only against European imperialism but against the newer form of economic domination sometimes described as “informal imperialism. Wilson is ranked better than Madison because most of Madison’s accomplishments came outside of his presidency, rather than during. He is ranked under Monroe because of the precedents Monroe set, as well as the influence he had on America’s future. Monroe was president in a key time of growth for the country. |
13. JAMES MADISON (4th President, 1809-1817)
James Madison was one of the best presidents because he set the foundation for America that we still use today. For example, Madison was the one who directed to create a Constitution for the United States. On top of that, he directed not only the Virginia Plan, but also the Bill of Rights. It is crazy to see that we still use all these today since they were made over 200 years ago. James Madison also led the United States during the War of 1812. He had one of the most successful presidency because of everything he accomplished and how it still affects us today. But every president is not perfect. Madison did have a few failures in his presidency. He submitted twelve amendments but only ten got accepted. I am not sure if you would call that a failure because he still got over eighty percent approved. Madison failed two separate times on trying to expand the United States to get more territory. The first time was trying to get Florida from the Spanish but failed. But the United States did end up obtaining Florida in the end. Lastly, was his efforts trying to obtain a part of Canada from the War of 1812 which failed. |
14. GERALD FORD (38th President, 1974-1977)
The 38th President of the United States Gerald Ford was born in 1913 and passed away in 2006. Known for taking over following the Watergate scandal and resignation of Nixon, Gerald Ford became the first unelected president to ever take office. Ford is mostly known for his ability to restore confidence to the American people following such a tragic scandal. A republican congressman from Michigan, Ford was elected to be Nixon’s Vice President less than a year before the Watergate scandal. All in all, Ford’s Presidency can be ruled as a great success, especially considering the circumstances. Pardoning Nixon, was one of many signs of courage by Ford during his office, as this act would lead to a demoralizing campaign that followed. His successes led to a decrease in inflation, and hope restored to the American people in a true time of need. |
15. ULYSSES S. GRANT (18th President, 1869-1877)
As president, Grant tried to foster a peaceful reconciliation between the North and South. He supported pardons for former Confederate leaders while also attempting to protect the civil rights of freed slaves. In 1870, the 15th Amendment, which gave black men the right to vote, was ratified. Grant signed legislation aimed at limiting the activities of white terrorist groups like the Ku Klux Klan that used violence to intimidate blacks and prevent them from voting. In addition to focusing on Reconstruction, Grant signed legislation establishing the Department of Justice, the Weather Bureau (now known as the National Weather Service) and Yellowstone National Park, America’s first national park. He also tried, with limited success, to improve conditions for Native Americans. Grant’s administration made strides in foreign policy by negotiating the 1871 Treaty of Washington, which settled U.S. claims against England stemming from the activities of British-built Confederate warships that disrupted Northern shipping during the Civil War. The treaty resulted in improved relations between the United Kingdom and the United States. Less successful was Grant’s failed attempt to annex the Caribbean nation of Santo Domingo. Grant's presidency is highly appreciated. Through his personal integrity, peace policy towards Indians, and continuous strides he took to better our nation, he is seen in a positive light. |
16. JOHN ADAMS (2nd President, 1797-1801)
John Adams is pretty well known for what he did outside of his presidency but he was also a pretty good president. He did a lot of work with setting up the United States to be free from Great Britain. He was the second president of the United States so he continued the framework of what a good president should look like. Just like other early presidents he showed what presidents should do while in office. He was also able to make peace with the French during his time during the Quasi War. The one mistake he did make was how long it took him to make peace. It took him over a year to create this peace which created a lot of turmoil at the time. Most people know John Adams as a founding father of the United States but he still contributed a lot to the United States during his presidency. |
17. ANDREW JACKSON (7th President, 1829-1837)
Jackson was the seventh president of the United States and represented the Democratic Republicans (who rejected the Whigs). During his presidency, Jackson opposed the highly controversial bank and diminished high tariffs. Jackson also forced the Native Americans to relocate, which resulted in the Trail of Tears. Jackson set the stage for the formidable Democratic Party that has transformed American politics still to this day. Although Jackson was successful regarding the Democratic party, his hatred and oppression towards the Native Americans can not be overlooked which is why he is ranked lower despite his other accomplishments. |
18. GEORGE W. BUSH (43rd President, 2001-2009)
George W. Bush is best known for being the president in office during the September 11th, 2001 attacks. His presidency can be remembered for astronomical tax cuts and a very big effort to hold those responsible for 9/11 accountable. Born July 6th, 1946, in New Haven CT; Bush later attended both Yale and Harvard University. Two of the countries most prestigious schools. After graduating, Bush worked in the oil industry and also co-owned the Texas Rangers. Winning a close election in 2000 to Al Gore, after a recount was required in Florida, Bush became only the second person ever to follow their father into our nation’s highest position. All in all, George W. Bush’s presidency can be counted as a success, signing into reality: the No Child Left Behind Act, and banning late term abortion. Although often criticized for his handling of the Great Recession, the worst economic turmoil since WWII, a lot of what happened with the stock market was not Bush’s fault. His tax reforms and handling of 9/11 were some of his greatest assets, a remarkable man and president to say the least. |
19. WILLIAM MCKINLEY (25th President, 1897-1901)
William McKinley was a very important president in the span of American history. His impact on the nation stemmed from the moment of his election to his unfortunate assassination. At the onset of his presidency, William McKinley instituted the gold standard to save the crashing economy during the depression of the 1890s. This allowed all currency to be based on a trade-in standard to gold, keeping the value of currency at a set amount. McKinley also wanted to support American business interests and American manufacturing, so he implemented the Dingley Tariff Bill, which raised tariffs to an astoundingly high 46.5%. This allowed American companies to develop in the economy without having to face the pressure of foreign competition. During the middle of his presidency, McKinley declared war on Spain during the Cuban independence crisis. Cuba was fighting Spain to gain its independence, and when the US sent the battleship USS Maine to make sure American interests and mining operations were protected, an accident occurred and the battleship was sunk. This instigated tensions and McKinley subsequently declared war on Spain. The US won the Spanish-American War, helping Cuba gain its independence, while also acquiring Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam as territories for the United States. McKinley also created the Open Door policy with China, which instituted fair trade and fair competition in Chinese markets, by imploring other great world powers not to take advantage of China and its marketable resources. McKinley was elected for a second term, but he was assassinated at a convention in Buffalo, New York at the beginning of his term. William McKinley was a vital president who signed into action multiple legislations and laws that supported US growth, as well as amassing territory for the US. |
20. GEORGE H.W. BUSH (41st President, 1989-1993)
During his Presidency he did a lot of good but, also a lot of bad. Unfortunately during his presidency, the U.S slid into a recession. In 1991 the unemployment rate started to rise and the government spent more money on welfare. Many people from large corporations were also laid off. Bush also dealt with the deficit rather poorly. Early in his term, he was faced with the task of reducing the deficit from Ronald Reagan’s term. In a struggle with Congress, he was forced to side with the Democrats plan to raise taxes. This enraged a lot of Republicans because in his campaign he promised no new taxes. He even later stated that he wished he would have never signed the Bill. This was considered a major turning point in his term and his approval rating declined tremendously. Ultimately, this led to him not being reelected in the next election and the power turning over to the Democrats. Even though Bush made some mistakes, he also did many things right. One of these had to do with foreign policy. In 1990 after Saddam Hussein took over Kuwait, Bush formed a plan to drive him out. It was extremely successful and only took a month of combat to complete. This is important because it limited the lives of U.S soldiers lost. Another great achievement he had was passing The Americans with Disabilities Act. This made it illegal to discriminate against anyone with a disability. This was instrumental in making sure everyone had the same rights even if you were disabled or not. In conclusion, George H.W. Bush did a lot of good things for foreign policy and the social aspect of this country. |