American Presidents post series

*This article was written by GPT-4, with revisions by Superbattleshipyamato.*

The American Presidents is a two-part blog series by Tim Urban on Wait But Why, where he provides an engaging and informative overview of the first 25 US presidents, from George Washington to William McKinley. It is split into two posts, the first post focusing on the presidents from Washington to Lincoln and the second focusing on the presidents from Andrew Johnson to William Mckinley. A third part, covering all the presidents up until modern times, is in development.

## The Founding Fathers (1789-1825)

The first five presidents were all Founding Fathers who played significant roles in the establishment of the United States.

1. \*\*George Washington (1789-1797):\*\* As the first president, Washington set the tone for the office, established the precedent of a two-term limit, and warned against political parties in his Farewell Address.

2. \*\*John Adams (1797-1801):\*\* Adams was the first vice president, and as president, his administration was marked by diplomatic tensions with France, leading to the Alien and Sedition Acts.

3. \*\*Thomas Jefferson (1801-1809):\*\* The primary author of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson oversaw the Louisiana Purchase, which doubled the size of the United States, and imposed the Embargo Act in response to European hostilities.

4. \*\*James Madison (1809-1817):\*\* Known as the "Father of the Constitution," Madison led the country during the War of 1812, which ended in a stalemate but boosted American nationalism.

5. \*\*James Monroe (1817-1825):\*\* Monroe's presidency is remembered for the Monroe Doctrine, which warned European powers against further colonization in the Americas, and the "Era of Good Feelings," a period of one-party rule and relative national unity.

## The Era of Jacksonian Democracy (1825-1850)

This period is characterized by increased political participation by the common man and the rise of the Democratic Party.

6. \*\*John Quincy Adams (1825-1829):\*\* Son of John Adams, his presidency was plagued by accusations of a "corrupt bargain" with Henry Clay, which undermined his ambitious domestic agenda.

7. \*\*Andrew Jackson (1829-1837):\*\* A controversial figure, Jackson expanded presidential power, implemented the Indian Removal Act, and opposed the rechartering of the Second Bank of the United States.

8. \*\*Martin Van Buren (1837-1841):\*\* Van Buren, a key adviser to Jackson, inherited the Panic of 1837, an economic crisis that severely damaged his presidency.

9. \*\*William Henry Harrison (1841):\*\* Harrison served only 32 days before dying of pneumonia, the shortest tenure of any president.

10. \*\*John Tyler (1841-1845):\*\* Tyler, the first vice president to assume office after a president's death, faced opposition from both parties and saw his entire cabinet resign, except for Secretary of State Daniel Webster.

## The Road to Disunion (1850-1865)

In this period, the tensions between the North and South over slavery escalated, culminating in the Civil War.

11. \*\*James K. Polk (1845-1849):\*\* Polk oversaw the Mexican-American War, which resulted in significant territorial gains for the US, including California and the Southwest.

12. \*\*Zachary Taylor (1849-1850):\*\* A military hero, Taylor served just over a year before dying of an illness.

13. \*\*Millard Fillmore (1850-1853):\*\* Fillmore supported the Compromise of 1850, which sought to address the issue of slavery in newly acquired territories.

14. \*\*Franklin Pierce (1853-1857):\*\* Pierce's administration saw the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which further inflamed tensions between the North and South.

15. \*\*James Buchanan (1857-1861):\*\* Buchanan's presidency is often criticized for its inaction in the face of increasing sectional conflict and the Dred Scott decision.

## The Civil War and Reconstruction (1861-1877)

This period saw the bloodiest conflict in American history and the subsequent efforts to rebuild the nation.

16. \*\*Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865):\*\* Lincoln's leadership during the Civil War preserved the Union and led to the abolition of slavery. He was assassinated shortly after his second inauguration.

17. \*\*Andrew Johnson (1865-1869):\*\* Johnson, a Southern Democrat, struggled with the Republican Congress over Reconstruction policies, leading to his impeachment, though he was not removed from office.

## The Gilded Age (1877-1901)

Marked by rapid industrialization, this era saw the rise of big business and political corruption.

18. \*\*Ulysses S. Grant (1869-1877):\*\* The Civil War hero's presidency was marred by several scandals, although he also implemented some civil rights measures to protect African Americans.

19. \*\*Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881):\*\* Hayes oversaw the end of Reconstruction and the controversial Compromise of 1877, whichresolved the disputed 1876 election in his favor.

20. \*\*James A. Garfield (1881):\*\* Garfield was assassinated just six months into his term, making him the second president to be assassinated.

21. \*\*Chester A. Arthur (1881-1885):\*\* Arthur, initially seen as a product of the corrupt political machine, surprised many by implementing civil service reforms with the Pendleton Act.

22. \*\*Grover Cleveland (1885-1889, 1893-1897):\*\* The only president to serve two non-consecutive terms, Cleveland was known for his honesty and commitment to limited government.

23. \*\*Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893):\*\* Harrison's administration was marked by high tariffs, increased federal spending, and the admission of six new states to the Union.

24. \*\*William McKinley (1897-1901):\*\* McKinley presided over the Spanish-American War, which led to the acquisition of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. His second term was cut short by his assassination in 1901.

In summary, the Wait But Why blog posts on the first 25 American presidents offer an engaging and accessible overview of US history from the founding of the nation to the turn of the 20th century. The series highlights key events, accomplishments, and challenges during each presidency, providing readers with a solid understanding of the individuals who shaped the early years of the United States.