Weak and strong presidents basic.

1. 2015
TheStrongandtheWeak
Presidents
While all of the American presidents served our nation in their own
way, some had the gift of pulling our nation together, keeping law and
order, leading by example and facilitating growth and prosperity. How
would you classify the presidents? Are they strong or weak?
Titusville Area School District
Mr. Fredrick Smith
American Government
302 East Walnut Street
Titusville, PA 16354

2. I. Washington (precedents)
Term of Office: 1789-1797
George Washington established the presidency as a
combination of dignity and professionalism without being
royalty. Selecting a wide variety of cabinet members,
Washington realized that he had limited knowledge of the law
and politics, so he wanted advisors that were experts in these
fields. Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and Secretary of
Treasury Alexander Hamilton were of opposing opinions
about the extent of the government. Jefferson felt that the
government should restrain itself to what the Constitution said
and use a strict interpretation. Alexander Hamilton on the
other hand believed that the Constitution was a loose framework and that Washington
and Congress should use its elastic clauses to make legislation and agencies according
to the situation at hand. Washington would listen to both sides, but would usually side
with Hamilton. One important case involved the First Bank of America. The
Constitution laid out framework for taxes and a budget, but never specified where the
money should be kept. Hamilton wanted to create a government bank that would
collect, hold, and distribute government money. Jefferson opposed this because a bank
is never mentioned in the Constitution. Washington recommended the bank, and it was
established. This created a rift that would later cause Jefferson to leave the Cabinet.
Washington also used military might to crush the Whiskey Rebellion (although violence
was not needed). When the French Revolution broke out, many, including Jefferson,
wanted to aid the revolutionaries to “further liberty.” Washington declared the nation’s
neutrality in this event and the following war between Britain and France. Jay’s Treaty
was signed with Britain to tie up loose ends left after the Revolution. Americans in
general found the treaty appalling and Washington’s popularity suffered. Still popular
enough to be reelected, he left after two terms by giving his Farewell Address which
warned against entangling alliances with other nations and political divisions, which he
saw between his former Cabinet members.
Farwell Address: “In contemplating the causes which may disturb our Union, it
occurs as a matter of serious concern, that any ground should have been
furnished for characterizing parties by geographical discriminations, Northern
and Southern, Atlantic and Western; whence designing men may endeavor to
excite a belief that there is a real difference of local interests and views. One of
the expedients of party to acquire influence, within particular districts, is to
misrepresent the opinions and aims of other districts. You cannot shield
yourselves too much against the jealousies and heart burnings which spring from
these misrepresentations; they tend to render alien to each other those who ought
to be bound together by fraternal affection….”
Preceded By: None
State of Residence: VA
Spouse: Martha Washington
Political Party: None
VP(s): John Adams
Analysis:
2

3. III. Thomas Jefferson (strict constructionist, ironies of power)
Term of Office: 1801-09
Coming to office on a sweep of popularity, Jefferson decided
to reel back the government. Leading the opposition of the
Federalists, he laid off government workers, soldiers, and
sailors (even the Attorney General’s secretary was fired).
Cutting back on the budget, he eliminated the deficit and cut
back on the national debt. Believing that government was a
necessary evil, Jefferson believed that individual rights and
protecting even the most unpopular opinions was important for
the young nation. Passing the Judiciary Act of 1801, the
Congress wished to define a size and structure of the court
system, and correct for Adams’s court packing. Reelected
with high popularity, the president had to decide on two major issues that conflicted
with his principles. The Barbary Pirates of the Northern African Coast had been
harassing American shipping since it was no longer under the protection of the British.
A small squadron of frigates (small and navigable battleships) sailed to the coast and
defeated the pirates. This required building up the military for use other than defending
the borders without officially declaring war. Diplomats were also sent to France to
discuss the occupation of New Orleans. Jefferson wanted the city signed over by treaty
so American merchants could use the Mississippi River. Napoleon was low on funds
(due to his warlike nature) and offered to sell all of the Louisiana Purchase for fifteen
million dollars. The diplomats agreed and went back to DC to get the approval of the
president. Jefferson was unsure what to do. Land purchases were not in the
Constitution and it would increase the debt again. The pros of buying the land were
numerous. Increased natural resources, property for a growing population, and keeping
the land out of foreign hands were all benefits. He decided to go ahead with the deal.
French and British navies had been harassing American shipping and impressing
(forcing people to serve) sailors. Jefferson retaliated by creating the Embargo Act of
1807 that forbade trade with France and Britain in particular. This hurt American
merchants and Jefferson’s popularity declined. Reflecting his disliking for strong
central power, Jefferson’s acknowledgements of his life accomplishments on his
gravestone did not include his presidency.
"It is proper you should understand what I deem the essential principles of our
Government... Equal and exact justice to all men, of whatever persuasion, religious or
political..." - First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1801
Preceded By: Adams
State of Residence: VA
Spouse: Martha Jefferson
Political Party: Dem-Rep
VP(s): Aaron Burr, George
Clinton
Analysis:
3

4. VII. Andrew Jackson (populist, veto use, conflict w/ Congress, states’ rights)
Term of Office: 1829-37
Being the first president from west of the Appalachians, and
not connected to the elite circle of Revolutionaries, Jackson
brought many friends to advise him (called the Kitchen
Cabinet). Even his Inaugural Party was filled with farmers,
hunters, trappers, and other frontiersman. Modeling himself
after the conservative Jefferson, Jackson attempted to roll back
the government. The First Bank had expired and had been
reestablished as the Second Bank of America. Jackson
charged that the bank was a friend of the rich and foreign
investors so he vetoed its renewal. Nationalist projects like
building roads and bridges were seen as benefiting
businessmen, not the average person. He vetoed more
legislation than all previous presidents combined. While
attempting to cut back on the bureaucracy, the positions the president kept were filled
with personal friends and supporters of his campaign. The phrase “to the victor belong
the spoils” marked this spoils system of hiring. Tariffs were raised to help increase
revenues for the national government (which helped eliminate almost all debt). South
Carolina objected to the revenues because Southerners had to import many goods since
there were few factories there. The state declared that the nation was still a
confederation and they had a right to nullify or void any national law like the tariff.
Despite supporting states’ rights and expanding more voting rights to the people,
Jackson surprisingly asked Congress for a Force Bill that would have allowed him to
use the military to enforce the Tariffs in South Carolina, and invade the entire state if
they seceded from the Union over this issue. This put him at odds with the first term
vice president, John Calhoun (who supported the nullification). Jackson also authorized
the Indian Removal Act which forced the Native Americans of the South, especially
Georgia, to leave for reservations in modern Oklahoma. Ironically the Cherokee (the
largest tribe removed) had adopted European culture and had helped Jackson win the
Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812 (which boosted him to national fame).
Congress, now under control of the Whigs (the opposition party) attempted to censure
(official statement saying someone is doing wrong) and weaken him due to their anger
over his many vetoes. Jackson remained very popular with the people by pressuring
states to lax age and land owning requirements for voting and by proving that a self-
educated frontiersman could become president. He also secured the Democratic Party
by using political organizations in cities and rural regions to press people to vote for the
party candidates.
Bank Veto Message, 1832 – “It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often
bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes…but when the laws undertake to
add to these natural and just advantages …to make the rich richer and the potent more
powerful, the humble members of society–the farmers, mechanics, and laborers–who
have neither the time nor the means of securing like favors to themselves, have a right to
complain of the injustice of their Government.”
Preceded By: Adams
State of Residence: TN
Spouse: Rachel Jackson
Political Party: Dem
VP(s): John Calhoun,
Martin Van Buren
Analysis:
4

5. X. John Tyler
Term of Office: 1841-45 Put on the ticket to provide youth and political experience,
Tyler expected, like most vice-presidents, to do nothing.
William Henry Harrison had been president for only one month.
He had caught a cold at his inauguration and lay sick and dying
for weeks. No one was sure as to what would happen upon his
death. Vice President John Tyler had been selected to run with
Harrison to pick up Southern votes. He was such a secondary
figure that he didn’t even stay in Washington for the
inauguration, retiring to his home in Williamsburg, Virginia,
twenty – one hours away. Daniel Webster, the secretary of state,
decided that Tyler should become president, largely to serve as a
figurehead, whom the cabinet would control. John Quincy
Adams didn’t think that Tyler was suited for the highest office, seeing it as testing the
constitution by “a man never thought of for it (being president) by anyone.” Most people
thought that Tyler would be the “vice president acting president.” When Harrison died, the
cabinet issued the news and sent a letter to “John Tyler, Vice President of the United
States.” He arrived in the capital and met with them at Brown’s Indian Queen Hotel. The
cabinet said that all matters of state would be brought before the entire cabinet and would
be decided by a majority vote; Tyler would have but one vote. They would become the
chief executive by fiat. Tyler said that he believed that the power had “devolved” to him
and he would be the president. Tyler was determined to show that he was a power and had
Judge William Cranch, chief of the Circuit Court for the District of Columbia, swear him
in. Knowing that possession is nine – tenths of the law, Tyler took over the White House
and the presidency. It was a done deal. Even after being kicked out of his own party, and
treated as if he was diseased by the Democrats, Tyler existed as a weaned executive. Tyler
vetoed almost all of the Whig agenda once taking on the presidential role. His Whig
cabinet eventually quit except for Daniel Webster, his Secretary of State (who wanted to
finish the Webster – Ashburton Treaty with England). Tyler tried to connect with the
Democrats by appointing John Calhoun his next Secretary of State, but it failed. Tyler
spent most of his presidency being called “His Accidency.” Tyler’s support of states’
rights gave him moderate support in the South, but virtually none in the North. He actively
advocated for the annexation of Texas at the end of his term.
Preceded By: William
Henry Harrison
State of Residence: VA
Spouse: Letitia Tyler
Political Party: Whig
VP(s): Vacancy
Analysis:
5

6. XVI. Lincoln (overuse of power?)
Term of Office: 1861-65 Following the call of many Whigs, Lincoln joined the new
Republican Party to oppose spreading slavery to the new
territories of the West. Lincoln beat his former Senate campaign
rival, Stephen Douglas and two other major candidates without
winning a single Southern state. This proved to the South that
their voice wasn’t heard. President James Buchanan sat idly by
while the Lower South seceded. When Lincoln took office he
ordered all forts to stay occupied by Union troops no matter
what. Fort Sumter ran out of supplies and was attacked by the
South, triggering the Upper South to leave the Union as well.
Many believed that the slave states that stayed with the Union
(Border States) did so out of loyalty. Actually, it was because Kentucky was placed
under martial law, the secessionist members of the Maryland Legislature were placed
under arrest, and an uprising was supported by Lincoln in Missouri. Lincoln also started
to accumulate resources and the size of the military without Congress’s approval.
Lincoln also knew that in order for the Union to win, he must restrict the rights of those
that opposed the war. He suspended habeas corpus and held many suspected anti-war
protestors in prison without being charged including government officials, publishers,
journalists and others. President Lincoln also threatened war with Europe if it interfered
in the affairs of the USA. Leadership of the war was preferably left up to the generals,
but he desperately needed a good leader for the army. Constantly firing generals,
Lincoln continued believing that they were too slow and not aggressive enough. When
he first read of General Ulysses S. Grant’s ability to attack and never suggest surrender,
Lincoln knew he had found his commander. Grant from then on controlled the army
and most of the war effort. Lincoln also issued the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing
all slaves in the territories still controlled by the Confederacy. He did not free slaves in
the border states or in Confederate territory that had been conquered by the Union. This
was considered a military decision to weaken the labor market in the South, to
encourage a slave revolt, and to prove to the rest of the world that this was a war to end
slavery so other nations should keep out. Running for re-election, Lincoln did not
curtail the small Northern Democratic Party from preaching a peace campaign. Despite
years of what seemed like infinite bloodshed, Lincoln won his second term.
Notwithstanding the actions that are negatively portrayed, Lincoln achieved what
appeared to achieve an impossible task. He forged a broken nation back together and
finally answered a lingering question: Should the states or federal government be in
control? Lincoln did this by strengthening the Federal government and executive
branch to a level it had never seen before. Understanding that the nation must eat, he
also added onto the executive branch domestically by creating the Department of
Agriculture. Abraham Lincoln may still be viewed as an honest and decent man, so
therefore he could have been trusted with such expansive powers. Others questioned the
extent at which he wished to win the war and if that type of power grab would happen
again. Stress led to quick aging and an assassin’s bullet saved Lincoln from a fight with
Congress over what he believed should be a peaceful Reconstruction process.
Second Inaugural Address, 1864 – “On the occasion corresponding to this four years
ago all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it, all
sought to avert it. While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place,
devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city
seeking to destroy it without war—seeking to dissolve the Union and divide effects by
negotiation. Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than
let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish, and the
war came.”
Preceded By: James
Buchanan
State of Residence: IL
Spouse: Mary Lincoln
Political Party: Rep
VP(s): Hannibal Hamlin,
Andrew Johnson
6

7. Analysis:
XVII. Johnson (Congressional domination, impeachment):
Term of Office: 1865-69 Johnson from the beginning had to tackle the task of becoming
a replacement president. A conservative Democrat, Johnson
hated the rich plantation owners who controlled the South and
viewed secession as traitorous. He loved the rest of the
Southerners though and was himself a racist. After the
assassination of Lincoln, Johnson decided to readmit the
Southern states and excuse all Southerners except the wealthy
elite. Conservative state legislatures and representatives to DC
were elected and refused to officially rescind their secessionist
past or abolish slavery. Radical Republicans, a group that was
a minority, but had a loud voice, protested and refused to
recognize the Southern representatives when Congress
convened. Johnson then vetoed the Freedmen’s Bureau and Civil Rights legislation, and
spoke out against the 14th
amendment. Johnson attempted to campaign around the West
for his ideals, but he was such an offensive speaker that he actually cost conservative
and moderate Congressmen their seats in the next election. Radicals increased their
seats and passed the Tenure of Office Act which forced the president to keep the current
Cabinet unless he had the Senate’s approval to fire them. Radicals called an
emergency session to implement a military-ruled reconstruction and to oversee Johnson.
Secretary Edwin Stanton, who always spoke his mind in an ineloquent way, soon irked
Johnson into firing him. The House then impeached Johnson on violating the Tenure of
Office Act. Agreeing to support the Radical’s plan for reconstruction and keep his
mouth shut, he escaped removal in the Senate. The consequences were a diluted
presidency and the frivolous use of impeachment that would not be used again for over
a century.
Rep. Thaddeus Stevens, prosecuting Johnson, 1868 - “The President justifies himself
by asserting that all previous Presidents had exercised the same right of removing
officers…a law had been passed by Congress, after a stubborn controversy with the
Executive, denying that right and prohibiting it in the future, and imposing a severe
penalty upon any executive officer who should exercise it…Did he take care that this
law should be faithfully" executed?”
Preceded By: Abraham
Lincoln
State of Residence: TN
Spouse: Eliza Johnson
Political Party: Rep
VP(s): Vacancy
Analysis:
7

8. XVIII. Ulysses S. Grant (corruption and a weakened presidency)
Term of Office: 1865-69 Enjoying a Republican dominated nation and a war record
(called the “bloody shirt or flag”), Grant continued his public
service in the White House, easily winning election. Grant
might have excelled as a general and graduated from West
Point, but he had limited political, diplomatic, administrative,
or financial skills. Failed as a businessmen several times,
Grant was no better with his own finances. Grant trusted his
shifty friends who became his closest advisors. Keeping
troops in the South during Reconstruction, Grant failed to use
them effectively to protect African-Americans and stop
organizations like the KKK from terrorizing them. Numerous
scandals broke out that included everyone from his own
personal secretary to the Cabinet. Bribes were taken for the sale of Native American
land, millions of dollars in taxes were stolen, and Grant (while not involved in the
scandals) refused to believe that his friends would do such things and pardoned some of
them. Grant would often escape to a nearby hotel where politicians would chase him
down to ask favors in the lobby. He would refer to them as “those damn lobbyists
(maybe where we get the term from today).” Reconstruction of the South did continue
though, Colorado would be admitted as a state, the Fifteenth Amendment would be
passed, some prosecutions of Klan leaders would take place, and Grant signed a voters’
rights bill into law. Grant left the presidency relieved, overworked, and poor. Due to
his reliance on friends for advisors instead of traditional party leaders, the Republicans
(particularly the liberal Radicals) were weakened. The presidency also enjoyed a steady
decline in dominance as the twentieth century approached.
Preceded By: Andrew
Johnson
State of Residence: TN
Spouse: Julia Boggs Grant
Political Party: Rep
VP(s): Henry Wilson,
Schuyler Colfax
8

9. Analysis:
XXVI. T. Roosevelt (modern liberal, re-escalation of power)
Term of Office: 1901-09 Like many VP’s of the past, TR or Teddy as he was sometimes
called, was supposed to be silenced by being made the second
chair of the nation. Progressive, idealistic, young, and brash were
all words to describe this popular force from New York. Upon
McKinley’s assassination, Roosevelt put his own brand on the
presidency and rebuilt the presidency to the power that Lincoln
had left it three and a half decades earlier. Intelligent and lusting
to learn, Roosevelt read constantly and kept many advisors to
discuss different subjects. Knowing that big business sometimes
was beneficial to the people, Roosevelt did allow some trusts or
monopolies to continue to exist. Those that proved more harmful than helpful were
busted to pieces. Favoring organized labor, Roosevelt became the first White House
friend of the unions, although he was willing to limit them if their strikes crippled the
nation's economy. Popular throughout the USA, he easily won election on his own.
Continuing to embolden the executive branch, he helped negotiate a peace in the
Russo-Japanese War, earning himself a Nobel Peace Prize and a place in international
politics for the USA. Roosevelt built on the Monroe Doctrine by adding his own
phrase; “speak softly and carry a big stick.” Trumping American influence in the
Western Hemisphere, Roosevelt encouraged Panamanians to revolt from Columbia,
after the latter country refused to let the USA build the Panama Canal. The new nation
of Panama became a partner in the American owned and built canal. Encouraging
domestic building, the president established the Newland Reclamation Act to build
dams to provide rural areas with water. Regulating bad products for the first time
became an acceptable political issue. Signing the Pure Food and Drug Act and the
Meat Inspection Act (after reading The Jungle), Roosevelt cleaned up American foods
and medicines. Roosevelt had served with Native and African-Americans in the
Spanish-American War. Opposed to racism, he had ended school segregation in New
York while governor, invited black community leader Booker T. Washington to the
White House for dinner (a first for blacks), and spoke openly against racism. He toned
this down though after rioting occurred throughout the South. Environmental
conservation was also on the mind of the avid hunter. After all, if all animals were
killed off, what would we hunt? The president (sometimes with executive orders and
not Congress) started five National Parks and many wildlife refuges. Deciding to
follow the two term tradition, Roosevelt did not run a second time. Cabinet member
William Taft ran as his successor and won. Disappointed with Taft’s conservativeness
(more likely that Taft did not do what Roosevelt wanted), TR attempted to take the
Republican nomination; instead he just split the Republican vote, giving Wilson the
win.
Preceded By: William
McKinley
State of Residence: New
York
Spouse: Edith Roosevelt
Political Party: Rep
VP(s): Henry Wilson,
Schuyler Colfax
9

10. Analysis:
XXXII. FDR (economic interference, WWII, term limitation)
Term of Office: 1933-45 Possibly the best American president or world leader of
the twentieth century, FDR led the nation through the
Great Depression and WWII. A generation of
Americans grew up, knowing no other president.
Elected after the Great Depression started, Roosevelt
brought something that alluded Hoover; optimism! His
First One Hundred Days were ripe with legislation and
programs of the New Deal. Public Works, Community
programs, and many more ambitious solutions were
created to get the nation out of the Depression. Some
progress was made, but it was reversed again in the last half of the thirties.
Despite that, Americans reelected him repeatedly. He brought together the New
Deal coalition. Never before had the saying “politics make strange bedfellows”
been more true. Southern conservatives, intellectuals (Brain Trust), African-
Americans, Catholics, Jews, Unions, and Liberal Farmers all came together to
support him. One mistake he made was after the Supreme Court kept declaring
his economic interventions unconstitutional. He wanted to add more seats to
the court so he could nominate more men with his ideals. Congress rejected the
idea. The Supreme Court though soon changed its tone and stopped voiding his
programs. He then started the Lend-Lease Act that helped supply Britain and
the USSR at the start of WWII. Roosevelt galvanized the nation on 12/7/41.
Quickly the nation’s military was pushed into war mode and so was the
economy. Roosevelt left much battle planning to his generals and admirals, but
helped plot diplomatic efforts with the USSR and made major war decisions
like concentrating on one theatre at a time (Europe first), winning the war then
solving the social problems of Europe like the Holocaust, and developing the
atom bomb. Roosevelt did check on his favorite generals, and although
appearing meddling, usually gave them what they wanted. Roosevelt’s death
shocked the nation and the world. A stroke took the life of this polio stricken
man. Few knew the fragile health of the man. Mistakes included Japanese
internment of a people that never committed any acts of treason, the Yalta
Conference which gave too much trust to the USSR, and ignoring the
discrimination of many in Germany before the war, just to name a few. Despite
these miscalculations historians place Roosevelt close to Lincoln and
Washington at the top of the list of our great leaders.
First Inaugural Address, FDR, 1933 – ” This is a day of national consecration. And
I am certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the
Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present
situation of our Nation impels. This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the
whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing
conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured,
will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the
only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
Preceded By: Herbert
Hoover
State of Residence: New
York
Spouse: Eleanor
Roosevelt
Political Party: Dem
VP(s): Harry S. Truman,
Henry A. Wallace, John
Nance Garner
Analysis:
10

11. XXXIII. Truman (keeping modern presidency, intra (1948), inter-party, Korea)
Term of Office: 1945-53 After ending WWII with the decision to drop the atom
bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, Truman was
under pressure from conservatives to end all New Deal
programs and return the reigns of the government over to
Congress. Truman refused, partially because a majority
of Americans were Democrats and wanted the programs
to continue. Truman was also under assault from the
more liberal wings of the party for not expanding social
programs. China collapsed to communism, which
Truman and the blame fell to Turman. He had not
intended to let Korea go the same way. Unions began
striking again since WWII was over, but it came in a flood. Too many strikes
led to anti-union feeling among the rest of the populous, especially due to some
clever advertising by corporations like GM. With the bogdown in cooperation in
1946, Republicans took control of Congress for the first time since 1930. Eager
to reel the nation back, Senator Taft of Ohio led the charge to conservative
pastures. Unfortunately for Taft, he misunderstood the nation’s mood. They
were tired of the bickering, not social programs, which is why they elected
Republicans. The Taft-Hartley Act was passed to roll back union cooperation
with Democrats, making political contributions from dues illegal and permission
to start “right to work” states where individuals had the right to drop out of the
union among other things. Truman tried to veto, but it was overridden when
Republicans combined with Southern Democrats. With a sagging approval
rating, Truman’s bid for election looked grim. When he talked about Civil-
rights, the South jumped the DNC in 1948 and formed the Dixiecrats or States’
Rights Party. Liberals were tired of a lack of expanding federal power and
programs, so they formed the Progressive Party. Republicans, realizing they had
miscalculated the need for a conservative voice in the government, nominated
moderate Governor of New York Thomas Dewey. Pollsters and politicians alike
predicted a Dewey landslide. Dewey was so confident he decided not to
campaign that much. When he did, he used vague slogans like “move forward,
come with me to the future.” Truman stumped the country making hundreds of
speeches. One man so surprised by the president’s enthusiasm yelled out “Give
em’ hell Harry!” which stuck with the campaign. Many, including newspapers
that already printed the next day’s headlines, thought Dewey had won election-
night. Truman not only defeated a popular Republican, but a three way party
split, and took back both houses of Congress. This was mostly due to when he
campaigned it was against the “do nothing Congress,” not against Dewey.
Truman then pushed forward with winning the Korean War, sending the first
advisors to Vietnam, desegregated the military, pushed forward Civil Rights
(limited), established NATO, helped mold the UN, and the Truman Doctrine and
Marshall Plans helped rebuild the world to stop communism. The Fair Deal at
home sought to raise the minimum wage, push for full employment, and
eliminate slums which outraged conservatives. As Korea dragged, so did his
approval rating. Truman decided not to run for reelection.
Preceded By: Franklin D.
Roosevelt
State of Residence: New
York
Spouse: Elizabeth “Bess”
Truman
Political Party: Dem
VP(s): Alben W. Barkley
Analysis:
11

12. XXXV. Kennedy (Cold War, diplomatic, de-centralized administration)
Term of Office: 1961-63 Bringing optimism and youth to the presidency, liberal
Kennedy barely inched by Nixon in 1960. Public
admiration grew for the president and his Camelot
White House. The first Catholic elected cast light on
minorities as he openly talked about supporting Civil
Rights and extending anti-poverty programs of the New
Deal. JFK was secretly worried about making Southern
Democrats mad and it was unknown if these ideas were
all just talk on behalf of the more liberal Attorney
General Robert Kennedy. The Bay of Pigs (that was
planned under Eisenhower) was a disaster, and Kennedy took the blame. Air
support was never ordered for the returning Cubans that were trying to take over
their homeland with American help. Trying to make peace in the Cold War,
Kennedy was afraid of looking soft on communism and he began sending aides
to Vietnam to help build a southern democratic resistance. Supplying the Soviet
blocked Berlin, and blockading missiles from being placed in Cuba, were strong
points against the Reds. Constantly surrounded by various aides Kennedy relied
on others to help make decisions, although his own vigor in learning proved him
an intelligent and deserving president. Most Americans remember him as a great
president, but many historians are reluctant to judge him, since he had so little
time in office.
Inaugural Address, JFK, 1961: “We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that
first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike,
that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans — born in this century,
tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage
— and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which
this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home
and around the world… And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can
do for you — ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world:
ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of
man…Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us
the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good
conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go
forth to lead the land we love, asking his blessing and his help, but knowing that here on
earth God's work must truly be our own.”
Preceded By: Dwight D.
Eisenhower
State of Residence:
Massachusetts
Spouse: Jacquelyn Kennedy
Political Party: Dem
VP(s): Lyndon B. Johnson
Analysis:
12

13. XXXVII. Nixon (Change politics, centralized power, Watergate)
Term of Office: 1969-74 Nixon began the switch of the South from the
Democratic to Republican column. He promised not to
push Civil Rights. Breaking the Democratic machine,
Nixon won the presidency, and would begin his term at
the end of the “American Century” (Economic
prosperity after WWII). Despite building his career on
anti-Communism and accusing opponents as being Red
sympathizers, he formed alliances with China and the
USSR, and chose to ignore Cuba. Pulling troops out of
Vietnam, Nixon claimed that there was “peace with
honor.” This came only after massive bombing campaigns of North Vietnam.
Withdrawing brought criticism from the Democrats that it was too little, too late,
and that the bombing just stalled the peace talks. Republicans charged that we
were leaving communists to run rampant. Most Americans were relieved that
the war was over though. Controlling every major decision and materials that
flowed through the White House, he did not trust anyone, not even the
Republican National Committee. Forming the Committee to RE-Elect the
President or CREEP, Nixon intended to have full control over everything. Staff
members of CREEP spied on Democratic opponents and broke into DNC
headquarters at the Watergate Hotel to look at papers and plant bugs (even
though Nixon was extremely popular and re-electable). Washington Post
reporters discovered the Watergate break in, combined with a presidential cover-
up. Resigning before impeachment due to public/party pressure and revelation
of tapes of Oval Office discussions of the Watergate cover-up, Nixon refused to
admit wrongdoing and claimed a lack of knowledge about the break in.
Economic collapse toward the end of his term due to instability would lead his
approval rating and reputation to atrocious levels. Historians rate him as one of
our worst presidents because of the corrupt nature of his administration. After
his funeral, decades later, historians chose to reconsider. Many remembered a
prosperous economy during most of his tenure and that peaceful tasks were
achieved and followed by despicable “high crimes and misdemeanors.”
Preceded By: Lyndon B.
Johnson
State of Residence:
California
Spouse: Thelma (Pat) Nixon
Political Party: Rep
VP(s): Gerald Ford, Spiro
Agnew
Analysis:
13

14. XXXVIII. Ford/Carter (Positively Active, yet Interpreted as Weak)
Term of Office: 1974-77 Inflation was occurring due to spending on Vietnam
and OPEC increasing oil prices. Once Vietnam was
over, companies that were once working for the
Department of Defense now had to cut back, and we
saw high unemployment. Federal Reserve Chairman
Volker was unable to create an immediate remedy to the
situation. Ford was unable to work with the Democratic
majority due to his fiscal conservativeness. Thinking
that he was healing the nation, Ford pardoned Nixon for
all possible crimes. There were rumors that a deal had
been made between himself and the former president.
Meanwhile it appeared that he was socially liberal and that displeased most
Republicans. Ford appeared to bumble everything from economy to foreign
policy. He did not want to appear overbearing or power hungry (opposite from
Nixon) which left a power vacuum. Barely re-nominated by his own party, he
lost to Georgian Governor Jimmy Carter in 1976.
Preceded By: Richard Nixon
State of Residence:
Michigan
Spouse: Elizabeth Ann
"Betty" Ford
Political Party: Rep
VP(s): Nelson Rockefeller
Analysis:
14

15. XXXIX. Ford/Carter (Positively Active, yet Interpreted as Weak)
Term of Office: 1977-81 Carter ran as an outsider and refused to get inside the
“corrupt DC scene” to help straighten the country out.
Using optimism and alternative solutions to problems,
Carter’s folksiness and lifestyle changes (like wearing a
sweater instead of using energy to stay warm) did not appeal
to voters in 1980. He toned down celebrations and
ceremonies because they seemed snobbish, not because he
disliked them. Americans at first liked his down-home
nature, but then realized they wanted a leader, not a neighbor
to run the country. Three events helped shape the image of
President Carter. Carter gave and aging and expensive Panama Canal back to its
home country which made it seem like he was appeasing foreigners. A nuclear
crisis at the Three Mile Island Plant in Pennsylvania was one of his highpoints. He
visited the site immediately afterward and used his experience as a nuclear naval
officer to help calm the public. Lastly, the religious government of Iran looked the
other way while students stormed the American Embassy in Tehran and took
hostages. Both a military rescue and early negotiations failed. The Iranians
eventually freed the hostages, but waited until the day Carter left office to give them
back just to spite him. An extremely moral man that was ironically not brutal
enough like Nixon to end America’s problems, appeared to be one of our best, but
was our worst.
Crisis of Confidence, Jimmy Carter, 1979 – “The erosion of our confidence in the future is
threatening to destroy the social and the political fabric of America. The confidence that we have
always had as a people is not simply some romantic dream or a proverb in a dusty book that we read
just on the Fourth of July. It is the idea which founded our nation and has guided our development as
a people. Confidence in the future has supported everything else -- public institutions and private
enterprise, our own families, and the very Constitution of the United States. Confidence has defined
our course and has served as a link between generations. We've always believed in something called
progress. We've always had a faith that the days of our children would be better than our own. Our
people are losing that faith, not only in government itself but in the ability as citizens to serve as the
ultimate rulers and shapers of our democracy. As a people we know our past and we are proud of it.
Our progress has been part of the living history of America, even the world. We always believed that
we were part of a great movement of humanity itself called democracy, involved in the search for
freedom, and that belief has always strengthened us in our purpose. But just as we are losing our
confidence in the future, we are also beginning to close the door on our past. In a nation that was
proud of hard work, strong families, close-knit communities, and our faith in God, too many of us
now tend to worship self-indulgence and consumption. Human identity is no longer defined by what
one does, but by what one owns. But we've discovered that owning things and consuming things does
not satisfy our longing for meaning. We've learned that piling up material goods cannot fill the
emptiness of lives which have no confidence or purpose. The symptoms of this crisis of the
American spirit are all around us. For the first time in the history of our country a majority of our
people believe that the next five years will be worse than the past five years. Two-thirds of our people
do not even vote. The productivity of American workers is actually dropping, and the willingness of
Americans to save for the future has fallen below that of all other people in the Western world. As
you know, there is a growing disrespect for government and for churches and for schools, the news
media, and other institutions. This is not a message of happiness or reassurance, but it is the truth and
it is a warning. These changes did not happen overnight. They've come upon us gradually over the
last generation, years that were filled with shocks and tragedy.”
Preceded By: Gerald
Ford
State of Residence:
Georgia
Spouse: Eleanor
Rosalynn Carter
Political Party: Dem
VP(s): Walter Mondale
15

16. Analysis:
XL. Reagan (Change politics, populist)
Term of Office: 1981-89 Finally, someone brought out the silent majority of
Americans to a roar. Openly opposed to big government,
social programs, taxes, overzealous civil rights, and
environmentalism, this Republican king would seize the
American heart. Increased conservatism swept (especially
religious) into the party and Congress. Using an increased
military budget to scare off Communism in 3rd
world
countries, Reagan also used spending to bankrupt the USSR
out of existence, and eventually caused the Cold War to come
to an end. Ending political weakness, Reagan restored some
strength to the presidency and retained the fancy ceremonies
that his two predecessors thought were snobbish. Reagan
invoked them again so that every American admired and wanted to be president.
Speaking of back breaking government agencies and regulations, Reagan focused blame
of the economic recession in the early eighties on the federal government (ironically
that’s what he was in charge of as president). Populism and great speaking skills
allowed him to remain popular even through it was a hands-off presidency. Reagan
once scolded an aide for waking him in the middle of the night over a national security
issue involving a dogfight between an American and an enemy’s jet and said to only
bother him if it was “important.” Some unskilled advisors from Reagan’s circle of
friend were also brought to second level cabinet positions. Failing to balance the budget
or really even cut the government, Reagan’s utmost task of reeling in the “monster,”
was unsuccessful. Debt increased more than ever. Toward the end of his second term,
he did become more moderate, but seemingly less sharp in the mind. Vague illegal
activity in the Iran-Contra Scandal became sticky when Reagan “forgot” about specific
plans of selling weapons for hostage trading and the blame fell to messengers lower in
the food chain. These factors led to a declining approval rating, but still high enough for
a “third term” through his successor and vice-president; George HW Bush. History
would remember most of all, the optimism and humor that brought us out of the dismal
seventies.
Various Quotes, Ronald Reagan 1981-1989 –
• "Recession is when your neighbor loses his job. Depression is when you lose yours.
And recovery is when Jimmy Carter loses his."
• "I have left orders to be awakened at any time in case of national emergency -- even if
I'm in a Cabinet meeting."
• "The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government
and I'm here to help.'"
• “…you know there is a ten year delay in the Soviet Union for the delivery of an
automobile. And only one out of seven families in the Soviet Union own automobiles.
There is a 10 year wait, and you go through quite a process when you are ready to by,
and then you put up the money in advance… This man laid down the money, and the
fellow in charge said to him: Come back in 10 years and get your car… The man
answered: Morning or afternoon? And the fellow behind the counter said: Ten years
from now, what difference does it make? And he said: Well, the plumber is coming in
the morning.”
• “…the story about the two fellows in the Soviet Union who were walking down the
street and one of them says: Have we really achieved full communism? Is this it? Is this
now full communism? The other one said: Oh no, things are gonna get a lot worse.”
Preceded By: Jimmy Carter
State of Residence:
California
Spouse: Nancy Reagan
Political Party: Rep
VP(s): George H. W. Bush
Analysis:
16

17. XLII. Clinton (Populist, middle ground, Congress, impeachment)
Term of Office: 1993-01
Wishing to deflate the “liberal is evil” label and bringing the
party closer to the middle, were two of Clinton’s goals. This
saxophone player took on favored conservative measures that
were popular with the public. Welfare reform, school
uniforms, not allowing gays to serve in military openly,
keeping marriage traditions, bombing Iraq occasionally,
reforming affirmative action, balancing the budget, and cutting
government were all unusual for a Democrat. To please the
left of his party he stood firm for pro-choice voters, refused to
destroy welfare or affirmative action, sought to allow gays to
serve secretly in military, appointed two very liberal justices to
the Supreme Court, helped protect the Muslim minority in Kosovo, and increased funding to
Department of Education. Some say the party had lost its liberal roar; others say it was
necessary to win elections. Clinton made most of these changes after the Democrats lost
control of Congress and was threatened with being a lame duck president after only two
years in office. His presidential power was once again threatened after a long investigation
by Special Prosecutor Kenneth Starr, who released a long and documented probe of the
Clintons. The only crime listed was when President Clinton testified on tape in a sexual
harassment suit. He testified that he had not had sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky, a
White House intern. Later evidence proved otherwise and it was obvious that Clinton had
committed perjury. The House impeached him, but the Senate fell far short of the votes
needed to remove him from office. The multi-media bashing of Clinton, the multi-million
dollar investigation that only turned up perjury, the hypocritical charges by Republicans
(some that had committed similar crimes and sins), and other factors caused Americans to
become frustrated with Congress and the Republicans’ majority in Congress slipped.
Clinton, even after he admitted he lied to the people, retained a 60% + approval rating, one
of the few presidents to leave with a higher rating than what he entered with.
Preceded By: George H. W.
Bush
State of Residence: Al Gore
Spouse: Hillary Clinton
Political Party: Dem
VP(s): Arkansas
Analysis:
17