Lesson 13: Presidential Summary (1788-1865)
This lesson is an opportunity for you to learn more about the Presidents of the United States.
1. George Washington (1789-1797)
Though known as the Father of our Country, George Washington never wanted to become President of the United States. He only accepted because he felt like it was his civic duty. Washington was the only president in history to be elected unanimously by the electoral college. After the Revolutionary War, Americans wanted to make him the King, which he rejected. Once made President, he worked hard to make sure that he didn't overstep the bounds of the presidency. Knowing that what he would do would be an example for years to come, Washington only accepted two terms of office. Following his precedence, only one president had more than two terms. He also gave a Farewell Address, giving advice to the country. Today, presidents still give farewell addresses.
2. John Adams (1797-1801)
John Adams was the first president to live in the President's Mansion (later to be called the White House). While president, he dealt with trade troubles on the ocean, due to a war between Great Britain and France. To end these troubles, he sent diplomats to France. Watch this video about what is known as the XYZ Affair here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw0KcA59_8s
The laws John Adams is most well known for are the Alien and Sedition Acts. They put time constraints on immigrants wanting to become US citizens (Alien Act) and made it illegal for anyone to criticize what the US government did (Sedition Act). The Sedition Act was struck down by the Supreme Court, who said that it violated people's freedom of speech. Adams would lose his second bid for the White House to his arch-rival and former friend, Thomas Jefferson.
The laws John Adams is most well known for are the Alien and Sedition Acts. They put time constraints on immigrants wanting to become US citizens (Alien Act) and made it illegal for anyone to criticize what the US government did (Sedition Act). The Sedition Act was struck down by the Supreme Court, who said that it violated people's freedom of speech. Adams would lose his second bid for the White House to his arch-rival and former friend, Thomas Jefferson.
3. Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809)
Jefferson was known for cutting the government's budget, lowering the country's debt, and cutting taxes. It helped, however, that the war between Britain and France was over, so the budget used for ensuring the safety of trade ships was no longer needed. Jefferson bought the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon, thus doubling the size of the United States. He would send Lewis and Clark on their expedition to the Pacific Ocean as well.
During Jefferson's second term, Napoleon was waging war across Europe. To keep from supporting France or Great Britain, an Embargo Act was passed. An embargo is when a country says it will no longer accept goods from certain countries. The embargo was not liked by the nation.
After Jefferson had left office, he and John Adams would die within hours of each other on July 4, 1826.
During Jefferson's second term, Napoleon was waging war across Europe. To keep from supporting France or Great Britain, an Embargo Act was passed. An embargo is when a country says it will no longer accept goods from certain countries. The embargo was not liked by the nation.
After Jefferson had left office, he and John Adams would die within hours of each other on July 4, 1826.
4. James Madison (1809-1817)
James Madison was the shortest and smallest president in our history at 5 ft. 4 in. and 122 lbs. Despite his short stature, he had a large hurdle to jump with the War of 1812. The war was caused by British soldiers seizing American ships and forcing the sailors to serve in the British navy. During the war, the President's Mansion would be burned by the British. James' wife, Dolley, is known for saving a picture of George Washington that was in the President's Mansion. After it was burned, the President's Mansion was whitewashed, thus making it known as the White House.
The war would end with a peace treaty. Word wouldn't get to the colonies for a few weeks that the war was over, so the Battle of New Orleans took place after the peace treaty was signed in Europe, bringing fame to General Andrew Jackson.
The war would end with a peace treaty. Word wouldn't get to the colonies for a few weeks that the war was over, so the Battle of New Orleans took place after the peace treaty was signed in Europe, bringing fame to General Andrew Jackson.
5. James Monroe (1817-1825)
Perhaps the most well known thing from James Monroe's presidency was the Monroe Doctrine (actually written by John Quincy Adams). The Monroe Doctrine said that Europe had no place in the Americas. It threatened Europe, saying that if Europe came in to North or South America to colonize or take over any new countries, the United States would stop them and force them out. At the time, the United States would not have been strong enough to fight off a European country such as Spain or France, but Great Britain backed up the Monroe Doctrine, ensuring it was enforced.
States were added to the nation during Monroe's presidency, including Missouri. The Missouri Compromise was passed while Monroe was the president.
Lastly, James Monroe was the last president who was a Founding Father.
States were added to the nation during Monroe's presidency, including Missouri. The Missouri Compromise was passed while Monroe was the president.
Lastly, James Monroe was the last president who was a Founding Father.
6. John Quincy Adams (1825-1829)
The son of the second president, John Quincy Adams may have been our smartest president, but he was not very well liked. He was not elected by the electoral college, like other presidents, because none of the candidates received a majority vote. Instead, he was chosen by the House of Representatives and many believed he was chosen by corrupt means. This is known as the "corrupt bargain". He heavily supported education in universities.
After losing his bid for a second term, he would be elected to the House of Representatives, being the only president to serve in the legislative branch after having served as President of the United States.
After losing his bid for a second term, he would be elected to the House of Representatives, being the only president to serve in the legislative branch after having served as President of the United States.
7. Andrew Jackson (1829-1837)
Jackson was the first president, after George Washington, to be elected due to popularity from serving the military. He was known as the people's president because the people felt a connection with him. He won an overwhelming majority in the popular election (although it had no legal bearing on the electoral vote). He kept a large block of cheese in the White House so that people who wanted to talk to him and bring concerns to him could have something to eat while he heard them out.
Andrew Jackson's temper is perhaps best well known. He was known for disobeying the orders of the Supreme Court and Congress. He figured that if they couldn't enforce their decisions, then why should he enforce them if he didn't agree with them? He handpicked his successor to run for president, Martin Van Buren
Andrew Jackson's temper is perhaps best well known. He was known for disobeying the orders of the Supreme Court and Congress. He figured that if they couldn't enforce their decisions, then why should he enforce them if he didn't agree with them? He handpicked his successor to run for president, Martin Van Buren
8. Martin Van Buren (1837-1841)
Van Buren wasn't able to do a whole lot in his presidency because not long after he was elected, a panic struck. A panic is an economic downturn, not as bad as a depression but enough to cause prices to go up and debts to be called in. He would only serve one term because, as nearly always happens, the president is blamed for bad times even when he has no influence over it.
9. William Henry Harrison (1841)
Harrison was known for being a general in the army. His nickname was "Tippecanoe". He would be the first president to die while in office. His death is often attributed to having given too long of an Inaugural Address during a winter storm, without a coat on. He died from pneumonia just a month after taking office.
10. John Tyler (1841-1845)
Tyler was the first Vice President to become President due to his predecessor's death. On top of the difficulties of dealing with this, Tyler's political party left him. These two circumstances left him powerless and unable to accomplish much as President.
11. James K Polk (1845-1849)
Polk's presidency dealt with the expansion of the United States. The Mexican-American War would take place, bringing the west into the Union. Deals were made with Great Britain to ensure United States possession of the Oregon Territory. Polk started his presidency only wanting one term, so he did not run again. He was the last of the strong presidents until Abraham Lincoln.
12. Zachary Taylor (1849-1850)
Taylor was another General made President. Slavery was becoming a huge issue. When southern states started to threaten to leave the Union if compromise was not made over new territories and states allowing slavery, Taylor threatened to send the army to stop them. Compromises would be reached after his death. It is said that at the dedication of the Washington Memorial, Taylor ate too many cherries and ice cream, got dysentery, and died five days later.
13. Millard Fillmore (1850-1853)
Fillmore would sign the Compromise of 1850, which brought California into the Union as a state. He would also sign the Fugitive Slave Act, which required northern states, where slavery was illegal, to return slaves who had escaped from the south. This would anger northerners, who would not nominate Fillmore for a second term.
14. Franklin Pierce (1853-1857)
The Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed during Pierce's administration which repealed the Missouri Compromise. Territories now trying to become states were able to vote whether or not they wanted to be a slave or free states. This would lead to Bleeding Kansas. Though the issue was resolved in Kansas while Pierce was in office, he would not be re-nominated to run for president.
15. James Buchanan (1857-1861)
Buchanan is best known for doing nothing to stop the Civil War from beginning. The Dred Scott case was decided just as he was taking office and he chose to bring Kansas in as a slave state. Buchanan didn't really do anything else while in office.
16. Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865)
There is so much to say here. Lincoln was the president during the Civil War. The 13th Amendment was passed, making slavery illegal across the United States. There are many, many other things that could be said here, but we don't have time to cover them all.
Assignment #13
1. Name 2 presidents who were generals prior to becoming president.
2. Who was president when the President's Mansion was burned?
3. Which two presidents oversaw significant amounts of land being added to the United States?
4. What was the Fugitive Slave Act?
5. Who was the first president to die while in office?
6. What act repealed the Missouri Compromise?
7. Which president served in the House of Representatives after serving as President?
8. Why would a president want to pass the Sedition Act?
9. Who was the only president to be elected unanimously?
10. Without doing outside research, which of the 16 presidents above do you think was the most influential? Why?
2. Who was president when the President's Mansion was burned?
3. Which two presidents oversaw significant amounts of land being added to the United States?
4. What was the Fugitive Slave Act?
5. Who was the first president to die while in office?
6. What act repealed the Missouri Compromise?
7. Which president served in the House of Representatives after serving as President?
8. Why would a president want to pass the Sedition Act?
9. Who was the only president to be elected unanimously?
10. Without doing outside research, which of the 16 presidents above do you think was the most influential? Why?