As the nation reaches the halfway point in its 200th year, it’s time to reflect on the great presidents of this nation. While there’s no consensus on a single candidate, some historians believe a certain candidate will ultimately rise above the rest. Some, such as Kaufman, think that Trump will rise in future polls, while others believe that Obama will be judged more favorably by history. While Joe Biden is not on the list just yet, historians say that it is too early to evaluate his merits yet.
Lincoln’s leadership in the Civil War
While Jefferson Davis and other leaders in the North refused to use the power of religion to shape policy, Abraham Lincoln made use of religious leaders to further his political goals. Early on, he ordered chaplains of “a Christian denomination” to be posted in every regiment. He also worked with the U.S. Christian Commission to evangelize troops and influence their opinions. These clergy tended to favor emancipation, and this had a significant effect on the attitudes of soldiers.
When the war broke out, the President welcomed the difference in opinion. In his Second Inaugural Address, he stated that he would be liberal with pardons if the South would end the war. But he also made it clear that reconciliation was a precondition for peace. His famous words, “With malice toward none, with charity toward all,” embodied this policy. Unfortunately, his words were not enough to appease the Confederate leaders, but he remained in office until the war was over.
Lincoln’s ability to unite his party and avoid partisan strife also contributed to his ability to lead. His cabinet was composed of people with a variety of political views, including conservatives and Radicals. He also included his rivals in the nomination process to ensure representation from all the important party groups. As a result, his cabinet was composed of both Radicals and Conservatives, and he cleverly included an outstanding Radical in Salmon P. Chase and a Conservative named Seward. Although the cabinet suffered some conflicts, Lincoln was able to retain Chase as his official adviser until 1864.
When the war broke out, Abraham Lincoln struggled to find capable generals for his armies. As the highest military official in the United States, he exercised his authority by developing strategy, testing weapons, and promoting officers. However, his generals were not up to the task. In addition to these officers, many of Lincoln’s generals fell by the wayside.
Zachary Taylor’s inaction on slavery
The inaction of Taylor on slavery during the Civil War is a topic of debate. Eisenhower says it might have prevented the war, but it’s not clear that this is the case. Taylor was a Southerner, so he understood the concerns of his southern constituents. However, he was not a supporter of slavery. In fact, he opposed slavery expansion.
Taylor was born in 1784 and raised in Kentucky. He was a career officer in the Army. He later owned plantations in Louisiana and Mississippi. During his presidency, he talked about cotton raising and plantations but didn’t actively support the institution. In addition, historians say he failed to pursue equal justice and slavery issues.
Taylor’s policies on slavery were not popular. The slave trade was growing in the new western territories and Taylor was trying to hold the nation together. However, he clashed with Congress over whether to accept California. In the end, he died early in July 1850 and was replaced by Millard Fillmore, who was more supportive of southern slaveholders.
Taylor was born in Virginia and raised in Kentucky. He later owned a plantation and home in Louisiana and Mississippi. His political career was marked by a tumultuous period. He also was a staunch Southerner. His refusal to open the southern territories to slavery made him a controversial figure. He had threatened to lead an army to recapture the secessionist states of Kentucky and Mississippi. He died unexpectedly of illness.
Taylor’s inaction on slavery during the period of the Compromise of 1850 had two consequences. On one hand, he prevented a southern revolt, but on the other hand, he allowed slavery to spread to the western territories. Thus, the division between the North and South only widened.
Thomas Jefferson’s political persuasion
Thomas Jefferson was a Democratic-Republican president, who believed that the government should have only limited involvement in citizens’ lives. His election as president in 1800 saw the U.S. purchase the Louisiana Territory from France. After the peace negotiations with France, he reduced the size of the military and began the process of removing Indian tribes from the newly acquired territory. As president, he also implemented the Embargo Act in response to British threats on American shipping.
Despite Jefferson’s success as president, the Federalist party did not have a successful campaign against him. It is important to note that, after Jefferson was elected president in 1800, the Federalists had weakened considerably and did not have the organization necessary to mount a vigorous opposition. Ultimately, Jefferson won the 1800 election by a landslide. Moreover, the Louisiana Purchase brought Jefferson an unprecedented victory and gave the Federalists little hope for a third term. Despite his political differences with John Adams, he reconciled with him over correspondence. The two men eventually died on the same day, July 4, 1826.
As an enlightened person, Jefferson championed values and ideals of the Enlightenment. He promoted the idea of a nation based on agriculture. As a result, his “Republican” party eventually became the Democratic Party. His “Republican” party was born of a synthesis of factions of the Democratic Party and the Free Soil Party.
In addition to his political career, Jefferson also served as a representative of Virginia in the Continental Congress. He also served as the second governor of Virginia during the Revolutionary War. From 1784, Jefferson was appointed United States Minister to France, and in 1786 he was appointed Secretary of State under President George Washington. While serving as minister to France, Jefferson also avidly studied European culture. He even sent back architectural drawings and scientific instruments from Europe.
Teddy Roosevelt’s vision/ability to set an agenda
While many people look to Roosevelt as a pacifist, the reality is that he was a progressive and was a fierce critic of big business. In his time, Roosevelt oversaw the building of the Panama Canal and championed a vigorous conservation movement. He expanded the system of national parks and forests and fought to make use of natural resources more wisely. He also pushed for the strengthening of the U.S. Navy, believing that it would deter potential enemies. In addition to all this, Roosevelt also applied his energies to negotiating peace treaties with other countries.
Roosevelt’s ability to set an agenda and vision led to a great deal of change in the nation. He became the first president to use a multi-pronged approach to governing, which allowed him to push for sweeping social reforms. By setting goals and developing a plan to reach those goals, he became one of the most beloved presidents in the country.
Throughout his life, Roosevelt worked to improve the United States’ civil service system. He fought for equal access to government jobs, and he was an early proponent of the Equal Opportunity Act. This bill paved the way for modern civil service, and it continues to influence the United States today.
During his presidency, Roosevelt worked to expand the federal government. He helped establish the United States Forest Service (USFS) and added 150 million acres of public lands to national forests. He was a champion of using the country’s natural resources for human welfare.
Martin Van Buren’s economic policies
The economic policies of Van Buren were largely aimed at alleviating the problems created by the Panic of 1837. As a first-term president, he tried to strike a balance between the interests of the rich and the poor. He also implemented the 10-hour workday, an important advance for workers’ rights during this period.
Van Buren was born in Kinderhook, New York. His father, Abraham, owned a successful inn in the town, which served as a hub for social activity. As a young boy, he was exposed to a wide variety of political arguments. At the age of fourteen, he began studying law under Francis Sylvester, a prominent Federalist. After graduating from college, Van Buren served as a New York State senator for the next eight years.
Van Buren’s economic policies during the 1830s proved to be a disaster for the Democrats. His policies weakened the currency, and the Panic of 1837 hit the nation hard. Van Buren blamed himself for this and lobbied for an independent treasury. In the 1840 election, Van Buren was blamed for the recession that hit the nation. His economic policies were not helped by the collapse of the wildland speculative bubble and the failure of hundreds of banks. As a result, Van Buren was routed by the Whigs.
While Van Buren’s economy was not perfect, he was still a capable administrator and faced many challenges during his presidency. He opposed the use of government intervention and cut down federal spending. He also faced the problems of the North and South, but remained neutral in the Civil War and avoided a war.
