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Today, February 21st marks Presidents Day in the United States of America. Forty-five men have taken the esteemed role of leading the free world in its efforts of preserving peace and prosperity worldwide. The United States has seen many of its presidents succeed while others have underperformed.
Not every president has prioritized freedom. Some have expanded government oversight greatly during their terms. Some presidents have fought for freedom and ensured that the country came first rather than second. Presidents Day celebrates all forty-five presidents from George Washington to Joe Biden. This is a ranking of every US President according to staff writers Dylan Hicks and CJ Medeiros.
Note: Grover Cleveland served two nonconsecutive terms and will be counted as one and Joe Biden will not be ranked as he is still serving in office.
All images from whitehouse.gov
44: James Buchanan (Democrat, 1857-1861)
Buchanan comes in last place, and it truly wasn’t that close, after all, he did inadvertently cause the Civil War. During his presidency, tensions between northern and southern states were growing, and he did absolutely nothing to stop it. He was extremely passive on the slavery issue and let racism in the south run rampant, even influencing the outcome of the infamous Dred Scott case in the supreme court. He had southern sympathies and supported the expansion of slavery out west, and when the southern states succeeded due to Abraham Lincoln being elected, he felt he had no authority to try to stop it, leading to the Civil War.
43: Andrew Johnson (Democrat, 1865-1869)
Johnson performed horribly when it came to reconstruction and was terrible for race relations. White slave owners went unpunished in reconstruction and when night riders attacked freed slaves, Johnson stood by and did not intervene. Johnson was impeached for abuse of presidential power for violating the Office of Tenure Act. There are not too many positive things to be said about Johnson.
42: Franklin Pierce (Democrat, 1853-1857)
Pierce's presidency was filled with the ambition of expansion, even if it meant adding slave states to the union. Pierce supported the annexation of Cuba and the Kansas Nebraska Act of 1854, which allowed those states to vote on the legality of slavery. Pierce was considered a “doughface” which meant although he was a northerner, his views on slavery aligned with that of the south. Pierce’s pro-slavery views caused further division in the US and contributed to the Civil War.
41: Woodrow Wilson (Democrat, 1913-1921)
Wilson was probably the most racist president in history. Even by the standards of the early 1900s, he was extremely racist. Many may know him for earning a Nobel Peace Prize and leading the US through World War 1, but these are greatly overshadowed by his white supremacist ways. Wilson outright tried to reverse the progress of African Americans in the US, tightening segregation laws, even segregating the government, and openly supporting the KKK. Any praise put upon him is to be taken with a grain of salt.
40: John Tyler (Whig, 1841-1845)
John Tyler's presidency was filled with embarrassment and stubbornness. When Tyler became the first vice-president to ascend the ranks and become president, he completely turned on the Whig Party. Tyler strongly opposed the re-establishment of a national bank and refused to compromise on the issue. This was coupled with the fact that Tyler's presidency was notable for its weak economy when profits and wages were historically low.
39: Lyndon B. Johnson (Democrat, 1963-1969)
For some reason, many rate Lyndon Johnson highly, likely due to the reason that he helped pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a bill which he didn’t even really want. However, he was secretly racist and quite sexist. He needlessly escalated the Vietnam War and recklessly sent more and more young men to their deaths overseas. Economically, he wasn’t that great, with his “Great Society” plan collapsing as he refused to withdraw from Vietnam.
38: William Henry Harrison (Whig, 1841-1841)
Truthfully, William Henry Harrison’s placement on this list really isn’t due to any fault of his own. He died about one month into office. He really couldn’t get anything done and simply needed more time. He wasn’t terrible by any means, he just died before he could accomplish anything
37: Martin Van Buren (Democrat, 1837-1841)
Van Buren's presidency was a difficult time in American history. The economy took a downturn during the panic of 1837, and Van Buren didn’t really attempt to do anything to stop it, even when it became a major depression. Van Buren was portrayed as aloof and uncaring of the general people, as he was an out-of-touch, wealthy, “aristocrat,” as his opponents put it.
36: Herbert Hoover: (Republican, 1929-1933)
It’s not a surprise why Hoover is this low on the list. He was given a perfect situation by his predecessor, and he ruined it. Hoover inherited the roaring 20’s and managed to worsen the economic downturn, which became the Great Depression. Every attempt he made to fix the depression only made it worse, and he was ousted after one term.
35: Zachary Taylor (Whig, 1849-1850)
Taylor’s presidential term only lasted sixteen months but was notable for a few reasons. Taylor strongly opposed the creation of new slave states and called for California to be granted statehood as a free state. Taylor’s presidential legacy may be more notable for being one of the only presidents to die in office rather than his policies.
34: Warren G. Harding (Republican, 1921-1923)
Harding is likely one of if not the most corrupt president ever. He was a womanizing gambler who cared more to socialize than be president, and his cabinet was filled with his corrupt associates, culminating in the Teapot-Dome Scandal. His time in office can be summed up with one of his more well-known quotes: “I am not fit for this office and should never have been here”
33: Millard Fillmore (Whig, 1850-1853)
Fillmore was unpopular amongst pro and anti-slavery activists. Perhaps the most notable act in the Fillmore presidency was the Compromise of 1850, which admitted California as a free state, finishing off what his predecessor Taylor started. The Compromise of 1850 also allowed states to decide whether or not they should have slavery in their states or not.
32. Rutherford B. Hayes (Republican, 1877-1881)
Hayes is not well remembered, but controversial, nonetheless. His election was shady, as some electoral votes were disputed, and Congress awarded them to him despite losing the popular vote. Hayes then ended reconstruction in the south, withdrawing all troops from the south and allowing racism and Jim Crow laws to become worse.
31: Jimmy Carter (Democrat, 1977-1981)
President Carter may be unpopular but did manage to do some good in office. Carter helped the US to officially establish diplomatic relations with China and was diplomatic with the Soviet Union by signing in the second Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty. Carter's time in office is most notable for its weak economy and the Iran Hostage Crisis which drags him down. After his presidency, Carter has helped to expand Habitat for Humanity, focusing on building homes.
30: Benjamin Harrison (Republican, 1889-1893)
Benjamin Harrison is a lesser-known president, but worth a low spot. He raised tariffs and increased national spending, becoming the first president to have the budget be over $1 billion. He started the annexation of Hawaii, which is one of the shadiest parts of American history, and worst of all, he was behind the Wounded Knee Massacre, where US Troops killed many Native Americans.
29: John Adams (Federalist, 1797-1801)
While John Adams is revered as one of the founding fathers, he was not a good president and was America’s first one-term president. What weighs down Adams is the Alien and Sedition Acts, which were staunchly anti-immigration and made it difficult to obtain citizenship for foreigners. He was more authoritarian than his founding counterparts and even believed the US should have a king. Adams was also against any form of criticism of the government and curbed the power of freedom of speech, which was undone by his successor, Thomas Jefferson.
28: Richard Nixon (Republican, 1969-1974)
Probably the most infamous President here, Richard Nixon needs no introduction, being the only president who resigned from office. While he did start to end the Vietnam War, Nixon also ended the gold standard, which had mixed reactions, but is still controversial, and started the war on drugs, which saw the mass incarceration of minorities. The biggest issue, of course, is the Watergate scandal, which saw his supporters wiretap the Watergate complex, which was the Democratic Party’s headquarters, and his administration then covered it up. As the situation unraveled, Nixon resigned in disgrace.
27: George W. Bush (Republican, 2001-2009)
The Bush presidency is notable for the high sense of fear throughout the 2000s. After the September 11th Attacks, terrorism was a serious threat, and Bush did not handle it well. The Patriot Act was signed, unconstitutional with how it allows the government to spy on US citizens. The Iraq War was based purely on speculation that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction even though they did not. Bush's heart may have been in the right place, but many decisions were based on fear rather than logic.
26: Chester Arthur (Republican, 1881-1885)
Chester Arthur was notable for the Pendleton Act, which said that positions in a presidential cabinet must be earned, and not given. Arthur lowered the price of tariffs, signed in the First General Immigration Law in 1882 which excluded criminals from entering the country. Arthur fought through what would be a fatal kidney disease in the 1884 election but died in 1886 so he would not look weak as a president.
25: Andrew Jackson (Democrat, 1829-1837)
Andrew Jackson was an absolute ruler and often used his veto power against Congress. Jackson helped oversee the country’s expansion from the east to the west, but his cruel treatment of Native Americans was concerning, forcing Native Americans out of their lands and into the west. One good thing about the Jackson Presidency was that the national debt was cut to zero dollars for the first time ever.
24: Gerald Ford (Republican, 1974-1977)
After President Richard Nixon had resigned from office following the Watergate scandal, Ford took office. As president, Ford remained diplomatic with the Soviet Union and continued to limit nuclear weapons. Ford’s presidency was not as “exciting” as others, but he was notable for pardoning his predecessor Richard Nixon after the Watergate Scandal.
23: John Quincy Adams (Democratic-Republican, 1825-1829)
John Quincy Adams was a strong proponent of government involvement. Quincy Adams was in favor of using federal funds to build roads and canals. While in office, Quincy Adams oversaw the connection of the Great Lakes to the East Coast, allowing for better trade. Although Quincy Adams did help the country, accusations of widespread corruption led to his defeat in the 1828 US Election.
22: Franklin D. Roosevelt (Democrat, 1933-1945)
Although Roosevelt is praised by many, his presidency may be one of the most overrated in American history. For one, Roosevelt is praised for the end of the Great Depression, but his massive increase of government oversight arguably prolonged the depression when it may have been healthier to let the markets recover on their own. What was more unforgivable, however, was the internment of Japanese Americans after the Pearl Harbor attacks. Japanese Americans were imprisoned based solely on their race with no evidence.
21: Donald Trump (Republican, 2017-2021)
Donald Trump was one of the toughest presidents to rank. So many of his detractors believe he was one of the worst, but many of his supporters will also tell you that he’s one of the greats. The truth, as usual, lies in the middle. In one of the most unorthodox presidencies we’ve seen, he came off as racist at times, with his staunch anti-immigration rhetoric and carefully worked around denouncing any white supremacist supporters. What drags him down the most, however, is the bungling of the Covid-19 pandemic. On the other hand, he presided over a massive economic boom, brought jobs back to the US, put the US on track to energy independence, and helped curb illegal immigration. Being a controversial figure, however, it’s best for the reader to make their own conclusions.
20: Bill Clinton (Democrat, 1993-2001)
Bill Clinton is another controversial figure in US politics. He presided over a strong economy and fought for the working man, but this is largely overshadowed by his womanizing and cheating scandals. He also deregulated the banks, which severely hurt the middle and lower class. He was also a flip-flopper on issues such as crime and the environment; however, this is another one that had a strong mix of pros and cons and so he lands near the middle.
19: John F. Kennedy (Democrat, 1961-1963)
Kennedy had great potential as a president before his assassination in 1963. Kennedy's leadership and openness to diplomacy helped resolve the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 when the Soviet Union installed nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles away from Florida. Kennedy was strongly against communism, supporting West Berlin's military and keeping the Soviet Union away from Central Europe. Kennedy was a very passionate leader, promising that the US would be the first country to have a man on the moon and was in favor of equal rights amongst all Americans. Unfortunately, Kennedy is responsible for the Bay of Pigs fiasco and was heavily linked to organized crime.
18: George H. W. Bush (Republican, 1988-1993)
To be perfectly honest, Bush Sr. did a lot more than he ever really got credit for. He assembled a large coalition to get Saddam Hussien out of Kuwait, prompting small increases in taxes to boost the economy and stressing bipartisanship. He also signed a mutual nonaggression pact with Russia, ending the Cold War. Truthfully, he wasn’t perfect, but he deserves more credit.
17: Barack Obama (Democrat, 2009-2017)
Coming out of the Bush Presidency, the US needed a change and it got it with President Barack Obama, but the results were not always great. The economy was slow to recover, but the deficit did not rise as high as it did in Bush's presidency. ObamaCare was very costly, but it did grant millions of Americans affordable health insurance. Osama Bin Laden was taken down in 2011, but the Middle East was still bombed much more than it should have been, with his foreign policy being not that different from his predecessor. Obama was not the best president, but he certainly was not the worst.
16: Ulysses S. Grant (Republican, 1869-1877)
Grant was a general in the US Military during the Civil War which garnered much popularity in his election efforts despite political inexperience. Grant was fairly progressive for his time supporting amnesty and civil rights for that of freed slaves. Although Grant did a lot of good in office, his presidency was largely marked by scandal from his associates.
15: William Howard Taft (Republican, 1909-1913)
Taft’s presidency was notable for the sixteenth amendment which mandated a federal income tax and the seventeenth amendment which stated that senators must be elected directly by the people. Taft is also notable for the Payne-Aldrich Act, which did not do much to lower tariffs. Unfortunately for Taft, his favorability amongst Americans was not as high due to his lack of charisma, compared to his predecessor Theodore Roosevelt.
14: Ronald Reagan (Republican, 1981-1989)
Reagan is probably one of the most well-known and well-liked presidents over the past 40 years. His easy-going personality made many Americans feel safe and secure, but he did have his share of good and bad moments. For the less savory dealings, he expanded the war on drugs, started the Iran Contra affair, and implemented trickle-down economics, which can be considered good or bad, depending on how you look at it. For his achievements, he took the first steps toward ending the Cold War, reduced inflation to just 2.5%, and expanded jobs, creating over 16 million new jobs while in office. Many historians rank him highly, and we feel that he is deserving of the higher middle on the list.
13: Grover Cleveland (Democrat, 1885-1889, 1893-1897)
Cleveland was most notable for the fact that he served two non-consecutive terms as president, the first and only to do so far in American history. Cleveland prided himself on integrity, denying fraudulent pension claims to Civil War veterans. Cleveland was against tariffs, supported assimilation of Native Americans, and fought to rid Washington of corruption.
12: William McKinley (Republican, 1897-1901)
McKinley was the one who really made the US a superpower in the world. He encouraged the US to open up more and expanded free trade, while also being able to protect the country’s interests. He modernized the military and greatly expanded the navy, which made those with an unfavorable opinion of the US fear him, even winning the Spanish-American War. While he remains unknown to newer generations, his impact on the country’s growth can still be felt today.
11: James Madison (Democratic-Republican, 1809-1817)
James Madison was the father of the constitution and the fourth president of the United States but was not as successful as others. During the eight-year Madison administration, trade was halted between the US and European countries, and the War of 1812 was not popular with Congress. Although the War of 1812 was not handled well, Madison did oversee many American triumphs that emboldened a feeling of American pride nationally.
10: James K. Polk (Democrat, 1845-1849)
When it comes to the conversation of underrated presidents, James K. Polk must be in the conversation. In fact, Polk only served for four years because he achieved everything he promised during his campaign. His agenda was clear from day one, and he went right to work for the American people. He acquired the Oregon and southwestern territories, officially settled Texas, and established the US-Mexico border. He established an independent treasury and boosted the economy by cutting tariffs and encouraging free trade. His achievements weren’t the flashiest, but he got everything he wanted to do done.
09: James Garfield (Republican, 1881-1881)
This ranking may confuse many, as Garfield is not only unknown but was assassinated early in his term. But what he stood for and the ideas he passed should not be forgotten. A Civil War general turned politician, Garfield really didn’t want to be president but felt that he had a duty to the US and accepted the nomination. Garfield started to open trade with Latin America, was pro civil rights and spoke out against racism, sought to end cronyism in politics, and wanted civil service and infrastructure reform. Truly one of the greatest “what ifs” in US history.
08: James Monroe (Democratic-Republican, 1817-1825)
James Monroe is famous for his exceptional handling of domestic and foreign policy. During the Monroe Administration, the United States acquired Florida and signed in the Monroe Doctrine, which stated that North and South America shall not be colonized by any external powers. During this time as well, the United States was able to settle its grievances with England and establish boundaries between the two nations.
07: Harry Truman (Democrat, 1945-1953)
Harry Truman is recognized as one of the better presidents but still doesn’t get enough credit for doing the legwork to end WWII. Truman also made the decision to end Japan’s reign of terror in the Pacific by dropping two atomic bombs on the country and forcing their surrender. His foreign policy officially ended WWII, and he started the Truman Doctrine which brought anti-communism into the spotlight.
06: Calvin Coolidge (Republican, 1923-1929)
The roaring 20s can be attributed to Calvin Coolidge’s hands-off approach to American business and industry, contributing to a time of economic prosperity. The economy boomed and Coolidge only intervened if absolutely necessary, such as penalizing big businesses for attempting to rig the system. Coolidge also refused to endorse the KKK and frowned upon racism in the south, as well as passing big tax cuts to the middle and lower class. Coolidge shrank the overreach of the federal government and believed that the people should hold the power. Coolidge is probably the most underrated president in US History and should be remembered at least as one of the better ones we’ve had.
05: Dwight Eisenhower (Republican 1953-1961)
President Dwight Eisenhower served an eight-year term as president during the peak years of the Cold War and managed to overcome the pressure. As president, Eisenhower pushed for a balanced federal budget, desegregation and signed the construction of the Interstate Highway system of the United States. Eisenhower also pushed for protectionism of Middle East countries through the Eisenhower Doctrine if they ever felt threatened by armed Soviet aggression.
04: Theodore Roosevelt (Republican, 1901-1909)
Teddy Roosevelt capitalized on his predecessor, McKinley’s accomplishments by maximizing them while adding in new policies to help the US become a true superpower. He encouraged competition in the business world by busting the bad trusts and having small businesses grow. He prioritized conservation and founded many natural parks to be free from environmental ruin and his economic policies, like the Square Deal, helped create a wave of peace between business and labor unions.
03: Thomas Jefferson (Democratic-Republican, 1801-1809)
Thomas Jefferson is one of the most influential people in American history, for his drafting of the Declaration of Independence and being the third president of the United States. As president, Jefferson oversaw the Louisiana Purchase which doubled the size of the nation, abolished the Slave Trade with other countries, and established the US Military Academy. It is fair to say Jefferson was fairly successful in his eight years.
02: George Washington (Unaffiliated, 1789-1797)
George Washington was the first president of the United States and one of the most important figures in American history. Washington led the nation during a period of uncertainty when the US was in its early years. Washington stood against political parties, established a federal bank, and set the precedent for a presidential cabinet. Washington may not be perfect, as he was a slave owner, but his leadership in the Revolutionary War and leadership as a president still cements him as an integral piece of American history.
01: Abraham Lincoln (Republican, 1861-1865)
During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln's leadership guided the Union to victory in perhaps the most difficult period of American history. Lincoln was against the expansion of slavery and signed in the Emancipation Proclamation as the first step to freeing slaves. Lincoln was also responsible for the establishment of the US National Banking system and the US Department of Agriculture. Through Lincoln’s leadership, the south was defeated, and he had started the steps to bring the nation back together, making him worthy of the number one spot.
Have an opposing viewpoint to this opinion? Let us know. All views are welcomed. Send your thoughts to our Editorial Staff – Editor Katherine Montgomery kmontgomery2@student.dean.edu or Dean Daily Faculty Advisor, Professor John Rooke jrooke@dean.edu