George Washington- 1789-1797
"George Washington's integrity set a pattern for all other presidents to follow"
George Washington was a federalist from Virginia that served as the first president from 1789-1797. Washington had been the Embodiment of the revolution, and now he would become the embodiment of the new American people. He was widely known as the ‘action hero’ of the 18th century, he projected his image as being very strong, brave he was a Great War hero. You could question his intelligence and his political knowhow, but In terms of leadership the man was a marvel. This is why he was voted to the presidency twice, each unanimously. He quickly surrounded him self with a cabinet of high calibre that would do the job and make him look great. This cabinet is widely thought of as the best. One of the greatest achievements within his cabinet was getting Alexander Hamilton on board as the Secretary of the treasury. Hamilton set the course to the US economy by building the framework of a national banking system. He then assumed all war debt of the original 13 states, establishing a federal line of credit. This however did not please people such as Madison and Jefferson of Virginia, as their state had all but paid off its debt. This was Washington’s first real test as president. Behind closed doors Washington urged a compromise. He offered Virginia the state capital in return for allowing Hamilton’s proposal to go through. Washington chose swamp land known as Foggy Bottom to become the city of Washington. He had a major impact on the development of this land. Another event that defined his presidency was in 1793 when war broke out between Britain and France, Washington was called upon to take sides however he remained neutral. This decision would haunt his successors (war of 1812). Another event that defined his presidency was on the domestic front during his second term. In 1794 Pennsylvanian farmers were angered about federal excise tax on liquor and began a rebellion. Washington’s view was clear and decisive. He thought that during the American Revolution they were rebelling against taxes decided upon in London, now they were taxes decided upon in Philadelphia, it was just the law of the land. Washington mustered 12000 troops to march to Pennsylvania; this was all it took to stop rebellion. In 1797, with dignity and pride, Washington stood down after just two terms. He had begun to feel the effects of age and had realised this was simply his time. This was his finest moment.
John Adams- 1797-1801
"John Adams, a shaper of the revolution, saved his nation from a war with France"
John Adams was a federalist from Massachusetts that served as the second president from 1797-1801. He was the most deserving and most personally unsuited to the presidency. He was a Miserable man, some days he was on top of the world others he thought he was just the lowest failure on the earth. He certainly had the political pedigree to become president, a signer of the declaration, a member of the continental congress, minister to France and England, and Americas first vice president, however his management style was problematic at best, he had mood swings and was deeply opinionated. Also Adams was heavily criticized for his pretentiousness; he was more kingly than Washington. Two events defined his presidency, both caused by crisis in foreign affairs.
The XYZ affair, the escalating war between France and England was causing difficulties for the America. France was going through a period of seizing our shipping to prevent trade with England. Hoping to quell the crisis Adams sent a diplomatic team into Paris however the Delegation was met with demand for a bribe by three French agents. These three agents were publically referred to as X, Y and Z.US public opinion raged against French, America screamed for war. Adams however decided not to take an ill informed decision; he kept a clear head and sent a second diplomatic team to Paris. Adams was firm and adamant to receive a peaceful solution. This did come to pass in 1800 when Britain and France signed the treaty of Mortefontaine.
The next key event in Adams short term as president was the Alien and sedition acts in 1798. This is widely thought of as Adams worst decision as president. Newspapers were speaking out against Adams and the federalist parties, Adams took this personally and so he formed this treaty which stopped people speaking out falsely about some federal office holders, including the president. This act underscored what his rivals were already saying, that Adams thought he was an aristocrat, had a tinge of royalty. This was the single greatest blemish on this over wise great career. In 1801 after alienating a lot of people, he lost the presidency to Jefferson, a bitter defeat
John Adams was a federalist from Massachusetts that served as the second president from 1797-1801. He was the most deserving and most personally unsuited to the presidency. He was a Miserable man, some days he was on top of the world others he thought he was just the lowest failure on the earth. He certainly had the political pedigree to become president, a signer of the declaration, a member of the continental congress, minister to France and England, and Americas first vice president, however his management style was problematic at best, he had mood swings and was deeply opinionated. Also Adams was heavily criticized for his pretentiousness; he was more kingly than Washington. Two events defined his presidency, both caused by crisis in foreign affairs.
The XYZ affair, the escalating war between France and England was causing difficulties for the America. France was going through a period of seizing our shipping to prevent trade with England. Hoping to quell the crisis Adams sent a diplomatic team into Paris however the Delegation was met with demand for a bribe by three French agents. These three agents were publically referred to as X, Y and Z.US public opinion raged against French, America screamed for war. Adams however decided not to take an ill informed decision; he kept a clear head and sent a second diplomatic team to Paris. Adams was firm and adamant to receive a peaceful solution. This did come to pass in 1800 when Britain and France signed the treaty of Mortefontaine.
The next key event in Adams short term as president was the Alien and sedition acts in 1798. This is widely thought of as Adams worst decision as president. Newspapers were speaking out against Adams and the federalist parties, Adams took this personally and so he formed this treaty which stopped people speaking out falsely about some federal office holders, including the president. This act underscored what his rivals were already saying, that Adams thought he was an aristocrat, had a tinge of royalty. This was the single greatest blemish on this over wise great career. In 1801 after alienating a lot of people, he lost the presidency to Jefferson, a bitter defeat
Thomas Jefferson- 1801-1809
" Thomas Jefferson gained the immense Louisiana territory for the infant republic"
Thomas Jefferson was a democratic republican from Virginia that served as 3rd president of the USA in 1801-1809. In 1801 the founding party of America, the federalists, was defeated, and the popular leader of a new party was moving into the white house. In his inaugural address Jefferson said, “We are all Federalists”, however he did not plan to follow the route set out by the federalists, he thought the federalists had placed too much power in the central government he hoped to reverse this. Jefferson handled the pres very well he understood the importance, but he was not always given a free ticket In 1802 a tabloid reported an alleged affair between himself and sally Heming’s, one of his slaves. Jefferson did nothing, he never responded to any allegations just let them sizzle out.
The defining moment in his presidency was the expansion of executive power to make the Louisianan purchase, the mega deal of the 19th century, it more then doubled the size of the USA for just 15 million dollars. He made the purchase in 1802-1804, to fund the purchase he used Alexander Hamilton’s system of finance, a system he had publically opposed for 15 years. He had performed a political 180º, and for this he was crucified by the federalists.
The argument against him was- you are the one who’s been worried about the federal government taking on too much power while here you have grabbed a third of the continent and proposing to rule it by military governors. Doesn’t that look like big government to you? Jefferson ignored critics and authorised a secret exploration of the territory, the Louis and Clark expedition,
In 1804 Jefferson won a landslide victory, yet he found little joy in his second term. He takes criticisms personally and the presidency became his hell. His greatest failure as president was his inability to realise the importance of the escalating war between Britain and France.
Thomas Jefferson was a democratic republican from Virginia that served as 3rd president of the USA in 1801-1809. In 1801 the founding party of America, the federalists, was defeated, and the popular leader of a new party was moving into the white house. In his inaugural address Jefferson said, “We are all Federalists”, however he did not plan to follow the route set out by the federalists, he thought the federalists had placed too much power in the central government he hoped to reverse this. Jefferson handled the pres very well he understood the importance, but he was not always given a free ticket In 1802 a tabloid reported an alleged affair between himself and sally Heming’s, one of his slaves. Jefferson did nothing, he never responded to any allegations just let them sizzle out.
The defining moment in his presidency was the expansion of executive power to make the Louisianan purchase, the mega deal of the 19th century, it more then doubled the size of the USA for just 15 million dollars. He made the purchase in 1802-1804, to fund the purchase he used Alexander Hamilton’s system of finance, a system he had publically opposed for 15 years. He had performed a political 180º, and for this he was crucified by the federalists.
The argument against him was- you are the one who’s been worried about the federal government taking on too much power while here you have grabbed a third of the continent and proposing to rule it by military governors. Doesn’t that look like big government to you? Jefferson ignored critics and authorised a secret exploration of the territory, the Louis and Clark expedition,
In 1804 Jefferson won a landslide victory, yet he found little joy in his second term. He takes criticisms personally and the presidency became his hell. His greatest failure as president was his inability to realise the importance of the escalating war between Britain and France.
James Madison- 1809-1817
"James Madison, father of the constitution, led the inconclusive war of 1812"
James Monroe- 1817-1825
" James Monroe declared the Americans no longer subject to European colonization"
John Quincy Adams- 1825-1829
" John Quincy Adams: the first son of a president to serve as president himself"
Andrew Jackson- 1829-1837
"Andrew Jackson, first frontier president, came to office with great popular support"
Martin Van Buren- 1837-1841
"Martin Van Buren was the first chief executive born under the US flag"
William Henry Harrison- 1841
"William Henry Harrison was the first president to die in office"
John Tyler- 1841-1845
"At the end of John Tyler's administration, the United States annexed Texas"