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George Washington
George Washington thought it was necessary to strike a delicate balance between making the presidency powerful enough to function effectively in a national government. While avoiding the image of creating a monarchy or dictatorship. -
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson expanded presidential power to make the Louisiana Purchase. He felt that the president must do what is necessary to preserve the nation. -
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson embraced Thomas Jefferson's conception of presidential power. He carved out a stronger role for the presidency, introducing the "spoils system." Vetoing more bills than any president before him and defied Congress. -
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln transformed the president's role into a powerful new position making the president supreme over both Congress and the courts. He ordered the arrest and military detention of suspected traitors and issued the Emancipation Proclamation. -
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt showed a tendency to abuse his executive order authority and claimed powers that were not conferred on him in the Constitution. He expanded the use of executive orders, because of the growth of government. -
Richard Nixon resigns
Richard Nixon announced that he would resign from office to avoid impeachment. He misused his powers to violate the constitutional right of U.S. citizens. In an interview Nixon quoted Abraham Lincoln, "Actions which otherwise would be unconstitutional, could become lawful if undertaken for the purpose of preserving the Constitution and the Nation" is what he had in mind.
