10 best American Presidents

There have been 43* different men to hold the position of President of the United States of America under the constitution and by the power of the electoral college. This is a list my own personal opinion of which presidents have been the best based on their overall performance as commander and chief. This is not my most philosophical writing, but it gives my subjective beliefs on our best presidents.

10. James K. Polk: Elected as a dark horse president, Polk was known as the last Jacksonian president. He was known as young hickory as he was supported by Andrew Jackson. Polk ran on a platform of 44 40 or fight. As the United States was moving west, people wanted the Oregon territory. He also had said he wanted peace with Mexico over the border dispute in Texas. Polk twisted these policies and made peace with the British sharing the areas that are now British Colombia, Canada and Washington state, USA. Polk declared war on Mexico after Zachary Taylor claimed American blood had been spilled in American lands. The U.S. defeated Mexico and Polk did everything he set out to do in four years. He did not run for a second term.

9. Harry S. Truman: Truman isn't often considered to be a great president, but looking back on his time as president, he helped the U.S. prosper. His controversial decision to use the atom bombs in Japan may have been immoral, but it did end the bloodiest war in history in the allies favor. By winning the war the great depression also came to an end. Truman also kept a firm hand on the Soviet Union and Stalin. Truman was also a very humble man, he was once nominated for an award but declined saying he hadn't done anything to win it.

8. James Madison: Madison was president during the war of 1812. Although he was the incumbent while the White House burned down, he was able to show the world that the United States was a legitimate country. There was no clear victor to the war, and the British did maintain impressment against the U.S. merchant ships. Madison's tariffs did help the U.S. become a self sustaining economy.


7. Woodrow Wilson: Wilson is best remembered for being president during World War I. At the time, he was seen to almost have failed because many Americans wanted to remain neutral and stay out of the war. Eventually American ties to Britain forced us to intervene and helped lead to the armistice. Wilson was also a progressive president who helped enact the Clayton anti-trust act. Wilson was ultimately too much of an idealist as his 14 points failed to prevent a second world war, his poor health at the end of his term also deterred his authority.

6. Andrew Jackson: Old hickory was a very controversial figure in American history. He left his mark by making politics more democratic and more direct to the people. He also allowed for public conventions instead of political party leaders making their own nominations. Jackson also helped take Florida and establish the Adams-Onis treaty. Jackson may have been a good president, but was a brutish man. He was pro-slavery, and also performed a massive genocide on the Cherokee tribe during the trail of tears. Jackson is the only president to ever balance the debt, but this lead to high inflation.

5. Thomas Jefferson: Jefferson is well known for writing the Declaration of Independence, but during his presidency he signed the Louisiana Purchase. Doubling the U.S. in size, this area opened up the entire Mississippi river to the United States, and allowed for American expansionism to develop.

4. Theodore Roosevelt: TR was a strong political leader. His big stick diplomacy left the U.S. as the lead power in the west. His Panama Canal allowed for easier trade. He also created the Square Deal to give more help to unions and end the long period of Laissez-faire. He created the first National Parks and reservation of lands. Roosevelt also desegregated the military, but this would be stopped by Wilson.

3. George Washington: Washington is probably more glorified for what he didn't do as the father of our country. He was the first president under the constitution, and allowed for democracy to flow. He did not take over the congress, or disband the Supreme Court. Washington allowed for his cabinet to run their positions effectively. Most notably Alexander Hamilton who developed our economic system. Washington allowed for the transition of power to occur peacefully. A precedent that has held up until today. (With the acceptance of  Civil War.)

2. Abraham Lincoln: Perhaps it was timing that allowed Lincoln to establish himself as a giant in American history, but Lincoln was able to hold the union together in a period of civil war and national divide. His strong military defeated the Confederates. Lincoln also freed the slaves, and gave African Americans the right to citizenship and enfranchisement. Lincoln's military action ended the succession and allowed for stability in the United States.

1. Franklin D. Roosevelt: A completely bias opinion as I have always been a World War II junkie, but there is no question FDR was an incredible leader. In the bloodiest period of world history, Roosevelt took over the American industry and built a military that could battle on two fronts. Roosevelt helped free the world from fascist regime and end the second world war. Although he died prior to the end of the war, his new deal programs provided recovery, relief, and reform to an impoverished nation. Franklin Roosevelt helped end the greatest depression in American History, while simultaneously winning the largest battle in world history.

*There have been 44 presidents, but Grover Cleveland is counted twice because his two terms were not in direct continuity.