The title of the president comes with a lot of responsibilities and weight. But what does it take to be a good president? And what does it mean to be a successful president in one of the most powerful and developed countries in the world? Over time, historians and political science experts have ranked the presidents of the USA based on different criteria like handling national politics and domestic crisis as well as international affairs. Check out the list below to see some of the best presidents of the USA and why they are so.
Washington (1789 – 1797) is known for being the president who ‘lay down the foundation of the country’ according to a short essay on George Washington in an article on US presidents by The Stacker. He was the first president of the US and is noted for serving as commander-in-chief during the Revolutionary War, thwarting the Whiskey Rebellion and the establishment of the cabinet system of governing. Washington is well popular for his economic management among historians. But most importantly, he is respected for leading the country when it was in its very early stages.
This is of course a name that keeps recurring in almost all the records and articles about important US presidents. Abraham Lincoln is (1861 – 1865) who was the president of the United States of America during the Civil War is known to be one of the most influential presidents who shaped the country. He is the 16th president of the US and is also notable for the abolition of slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation.
His Gettysburg Address, where he states that everyone is created equal is perhaps one of the most famous speeches of all the time. He is often praised by historians for his leadership skills during the Civil war, one of the most destructive wars on American history. Most articles about US president has Lincoln ranking first, as the most successful president of the country.
When he became the president, Theodore Roosevelt (1901 – 1909) was the youngest man to take office. His presidency was known for the good management of both internal and external affairs. He has won the Nobel Peace Prize for mediating the Russo – Japanese war and is also known for his ‘bog stick’ approach in foreign policy where he would use peaceful negotiations but would bring on military power when needed.
Some of his other achievements include being the leader of the Progressive Movement, conservation of natural resources, and control of corporations.
Franklin Roosevelt (1933 – 1944) is the longest-serving president of the United States of America. He was elected at the time when the country was facing the Great Depression and is perhaps the most famous for the introduction of the New Deal to fight the effects of the Great Depression on the country. His line “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself” which was said during the Fireside Chats – a series of radio broadcasts to help and comfort the public during the Depression is still used as one of the famous and inspiring lines.
Roosevelt is also known for the formation of the New Deal Coalition which shaped US politics for a more democratic approach, establishment of American Liberalism, and most famously, guiding the country through World War II.
Truman (1945 – 1953) ranks 7th as one of the most influential presidents of the US in a list by ThoguhtCo. He was the president to take office after the death of Franklin Roosevelt and guided the US through the aftermath of World War II. He created programs to expand Social Security, establish fair employment, and clean up slums – all the efforts that were collectively known as the Fair Deal.
He is also famous for his foreign policy Truman Doctrine, where he called for congressional aid for Turkey and Greece when the Soviet Union threatened to overtake the two countries. His attempts to keep the violence to a minimum when North Korea attacked South Korea is also well praised by historians.
Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953 – 1961) is the 34th president of the United States. He was a commanding general of the US army during World War II and therefore brought in his knowledge and experience about foreign policy and international relations into his time as a president. He is known for trying to lessen the impact of the Cold War, negotiations with the Soviet Union amidst the nuclear arms rivalry, and facilitating peace at the South Korean border.
Most historians include him as a successful present for his leadership skills in crisis management as well as a moral authority.
JFK (1961 – 1963) is most known for his political percolation; he is known as one of the presidents of the US who fought for labor, education as well as civil rights. Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States and is also known for helping to slow the pace of the nuclear arms race. Most essays about John Kennedy recognizes his attempts to develop the internal affairs of the country Through the New Frontier plan which included tax reform, positive labor, and education amendments.
Jefferson (1801 – 1809) is the 3rd president of the United States of America. During his time as the president, he carried out several national and international projects including decreasing the national debt, sending the navy to combat the Barbary pirates who interfered with the US’s economic activities in the Mediterranean areas, and securing the Louisiana territory which included 15 states from Napoleon in 1803.
He was also the main author of the Declaration of Independence and work together with Congress for gaining approval for the Louisiana Purchase Treaty.
Being a good leader does not just include leading or commanding people. Although the above list does not include all the presidents of the US who have made a great impact on the people as well as the world, they are recognized for their role as great political figures, strategic planning, their work towards national development as well as their international relations.