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Ulysses S. Grant
A Civil War hero, Grant focused on Reconstruction and civil rights for freed slaves, but his presidency was marred by scandals and corruption among his appointees, undermining trust in government. -
Chester A. Arthur
Initially seen as a political insider, Arthur surprised many by advocating for civil service reform, most notably signing the Pendleton Act, which began the shift from patronage to merit-based appointments. -
Benjamin Harrison
Harrison promoted economic modernization, passed the Sherman Antitrust Act to regulate monopolies, and supported veterans’ benefits, but rising federal spending hurt his popularity. -
William McKinley
McKinley led the U.S. to victory in the Spanish-American War, expanding America’s global presence. He supported high tariffs and gold-backed currency but was assassinated early in his second term. -
Theodore Roosevelt
A progressive reformer, Roosevelt busted monopolies, expanded national parks, and strengthened the presidency. He also built the Panama Canal and projected U.S. power globally with his “Big Stick” diplomacy. -
Woodrow Wilson
Wilson guided the U.S. through WWI and proposed the League of Nations. Domestically, he passed progressive reforms, but his racial segregation policies and crackdown on dissent remain controversial. -
Herbert Hoover
Hoover’s presidency was dominated by the onset of the Great Depression. Though he tried to stabilize the economy, his limited response made him a symbol of government inaction. -
Franklin D. Roosevelt
FDR transformed the federal government through the New Deal to combat the Depression and led the U.S. through most of WWII. He expanded executive power and served an unprecedented four terms. -
Harry S. Truman
Truman ended WWII by authorizing the use of atomic bombs, helped establish NATO, and began the Cold War containment strategy. He also desegregated the military and recognized Israel. -
John F. Kennedy
Kennedy inspired a new generation with his charisma and vision. He navigated the Cuban Missile Crisis, supported civil rights, and set the goal of landing a man on the moon before being assassinated. -
Gerald R. Ford
Ford took office after Nixon’s resignation and aimed to restore trust in government. His pardon of Nixon was controversial, and economic troubles like inflation hurt his public standing. -
Jimmy Carter
Carter focused on human rights and energy policy but struggled with inflation and the Iran hostage crisis. Though unpopular by the end, his post-presidency earned him praise for humanitarian work.I’m just -
Ronald Reagan
Reagan promoted tax cuts, deregulation, and a strong military, helping end the Cold War. His economic policies boosted growth but increased the national debt. He remains a key figure in shaping modern conservatism. -
George Bush
Bush managed the end of the Cold War and led a successful Gulf War. His domestic policy was less successful, and breaking his “no new taxes” pledge cost him reelection. -
William J. Clinton
Clinton presided over strong economic growth and budget surpluses. He focused on centrist policies but was impeached due to the Monica Lewinsky scandal, though he was acquitted and remained popular. -
George W. Bush
Bush’s presidency was defined by 9/11, leading to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He expanded national security powers but faced criticism for the Iraq War and the federal response to Hurricane Katrina. -
Barack Obama
The first Black president, Obama passed the Affordable Care Act, helped steer the U.S. out of the Great Recession, and promoted diplomacy abroad. His presidency marked a shift in social and political norms. -
Donald J. Trump
Trump’s presidency was highly polarizing, emphasizing nationalism and deregulation. He was impeached twice, handled the COVID-19 pandemic amid controversy, and challenged the 2020 election results. -
Joseph R. Biden Jr.
Biden took office during the pandemic and focused on recovery, infrastructure, climate change, and rebuilding alliances. His presidency has navigated inflation, global instability, and political division. -
Donald J. Trump
In his second term, Trump has enacted broad tariffs, reshaped foreign alliances, and continued deregulation. His economic policies have sparked debate over inflation and trade, while his judicial appointments are reshaping the courts. His presidency remains highly polarizing.