Continuing with our Twitter Presidents Series, this next list of men held the highest office in the land at a time of expansion and growth, in population, land and the economy. During this period, the United States spanned from coast to coast, as many riskily traveled to California on the famous Oregon Trail in hopes to start a better life. Despite the United States acquiring glory and power through conquest and military victories, the landmass expansion sparked a presiding question: Should slavery be permitted in these new territories? Violence (and bloodshed!) erupted in Congress - members of the House Representatives and Senate bitterly argued on whether slavery ought to expand into the west or be confined to the South. Also, when popular sovereignty was a question, our nation's values of liberty, which the Founding Fathers had created, were in dire jeopardy. The seeds of political division were apparent as the once-united Democratic Party split, and the London-based Whigs and abolitionist-hugging Republican Party emerged. Our leaders (a majority of them were one-term presidents) stayed out of conflict, tried to unsuccessfully mediate peace by involving America in forgettable wars, and brushed the pressing slavery issue aside. Since they ignored the gravity of the tense situation and took little initiative to dissolve a mess that would later plunge the nation into a bloody civil war, these politicians would be ranked among the lowest presidents by scholars and historians. By the mid-1800s, when a young, bright-eyed Illinois lawyer was making waves in state politics, the idea of reunifying the nation using the spirit of compromise was a lost cause... All images are official presidential portraits found in the National Portrait Gallery in D.C., author's collections.
Andrew Jackson– ‘The People’s President,’ hero of War of 1812, and political devil. A patriot, Jackson opened the White House to the people (supplying them with cheese & wine). However, enemies were made, as he vetoed the bank, forced Natives off lands, and threatened SC w/ force. (December 3, 2018)
A. Jackson, 1829-1837
Martin Van Buren– 8th President & founder of Democratic Party. Although he learned English as a second language (he was from Dutch ancestry), Van Buren catapulted into political power as Gov. of NY & Jackson’s key adviser. His presidency was wrecked by the economy (1837 Panic). (December 4, 2018)
M. Van Buren, 1837-1841
William Henry Harrison– A military officer from the Battle of Tippecanoe turned politician. After easily defeating Van Buren in 1841, Harrison showed his strength by delivering a long inaugural address in the rain…. 31 days later, though treated w/ opium & leeches, he was dead. (December 4, 2018)
W.H. Harrison, 1841
John Tyler– the ‘Accidental President.’ April 1841- the nation faces a constitutional crisis: who would succeed the late WH Harrison as President? Should it be the VP? Although Tyler takes control, he vetoes many Whig bills & loses his party’s support. TX is added before he leaves. (December 5, 2018)
J. Tyler, 1841-1845
James K. Polk– 11th President, a protégé of A. Jackson, and a staunch expansionist. Although Polk had served as House Speaker & Gov. of Tennessee, he was the dark horse in the 1844 election. Once president, he won the Mexican-American War & negotiated the Oregon Country (1846). (December 5, 2018)
J. Polk, 1845-1849
Zachary Taylor– ‘Old Rough and Ready,’ our 12th President who preferred the battlefield than the White House. Taylor served in the U.S. Army during War of 1812, the Second Seminole War, & Mexican-American War. Slavery was questioned, yet his time in office was soon cut short. (December 6, 2018)
Z. Taylor, 1849-1850
Millard Fillmore-a New York statesman who took over the Oval Office upon the death of Taylor. Ignored by his predecessor, Fillmore liked change –he dismissed Taylor’s cabinet and altered the administration’s policies. He is best remembered for championing the Compromise of 1850. (December 7, 2018)
M. Fillmore, 1850-1853
Franklin Pierce– 14th President, a northern Democrat who saw the abolitionist movement as a threat to unity and a leader who further divided the nation. The president alienated himself from his party & northerners, signing the Kansas-Nebraska Act & enforcing Fugitive Slave Laws. (December 8, 2018)
F. Pierce, 1853-1857
James Buchanan-considered by many as America’s worst presidents. Buchanan had political knowledge as a lawyer, congressman, senator, and secretary of state. However, in office, he allowed American unity to dissolve, endorsing the Dred Scott case & failed to address slavery. (December 8, 2018)
J. Buchanan, 1857-1861
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