Top 10 Great Presidents of the United States of America

By Eric Schultz

The United States of America is known as the world's big brother. After the end of cold war and disintegration of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), America has been acknowledged as the only superpower in the world. A President, being the head of the country, influences the world's perception, either for good or bad.

Many surveys have been conducted by academic historians, political scientists and popular media to construct rankings of success of politicians who served as President of America. They were rated on parameters such as presidential achievements, leadership qualities, failures, corruption, etc. Read on to find out the present top 10 great presidents of the United States of America.

Abraham Lincoln : A Republican, he was President from 1861-1865 and rightfully deserves kudos for his skillful leadership during the Civil War to preserve the Union. Lincoln's emphatic and strong rejection of the Southern states decision to breakaway from the union and his armed relation against the Confederates, not only ended slavery but preserved and strengthened the Union. His Gettysburg Address delivered on November 19, 1863 at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania is one of the most quoted speeches in American history. His other Presidential acts which reaffirm his popularity among Americans of all generations are Emancipation Proclamation, Homestead Act, Morrill Land Grant Colleges Act, Pacific Railways, Act.

Franklin D Roosevelt : A Democrat he was President from 1933-1945 and gave an account of his brilliant leadership skills during World War II (1939-1945) and the Great Depression (1929-1933). He played a key role in the formation of the United Nations in 1945. He is the architect of the New Deal ( a series of recovery measures taken between 1933-1938 to get the States out of Depression). He lasting legacy to Americans is Social Security Act (passed on August 14, 1935) and Securities Exchange Act 1934 (created Securities Exchange Commission for regulating publicly traded U.S. firms).

George Washington : The first President of the United States of America from 1789-1797 refused to be affiliated with any party. He is among the most loved American presidents as he set America on-course to become a great democratic republic through such acts as Judiciary Act of 1789, Residence Act of 1790, Bank Act of 1791, Coinage Act of 1792, Naval Act of 1794. His most notable contribution has been voluntarily relinquishing power after two terms, in spite of being the only President to be unanimously elected twice.

Thomas Jefferson : A Democratic-Republican, he occupied office during 1801-1809. He set precedent for peaceful transfer of power between opposing political parties and emphasized intellectual leadership for liberty and separation of church and state.

Theodore Roosevelt : A Republican, he was President during 1901-1909. He was the first American to win Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating peace during Russian-Japanese War (1904-1905). He took the decision to start Panama Canal construction in 1907.

Woodrow Wilson : A Democrat, he occupied office of President of the United States during 1913-1921. He gave ample evidence of his political acumen during World War 1 (1914-1918) and of his skillful leadership skills that helped formulate Federal Reserve Act (1913), Federal Trade Commission Act (1914), Clayton Antitrust Act (1914) and Treaty of Versailles (1919 - that ended World War 1). He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1919 for promoting the League of Nations.

Harry S Truman : A Democrat, he was President during 1945-1953. He showed his leadership qualities during World War II and Cold war. He was forced to take many tough decisions and ordered the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings to end World War II. He brought to fruition Roosevelt's proposal of forming United Nations.

Andrew Jackson : A Democrat, he occupied office from 1829-1837. He greatly increased the power of the American Presidency by defusing the South Carolina attempt to nullify a federal law passed by the U.S. Congress. He encouraged political participation by American citizens (other than women and slaves).

Dwight D Eisenhower : A Republican, he was President during 1953-1961 and showed his astute leadership skills during cold war. He also showed his foresightedness by implementing the interstate highway system, emphasized free markets and enforced Supreme Court desegregation.

James K Polk : A Democrat, he occupied office of President during 1845-1849 and exhibited his political acumen during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), annexation of Texas, acquisition of Mexican territories (like California, etc.) and settled conflict with the British over Oregon territory.

These are the 10 greatest Presidents of the United States. Do you agree with this historical ranking? Let me know who makes it to your list of top 10 great American Presidents.

I love politics. My Texan Democrat Blog [http://www.texandemocrat.com]. I want to get out there and support the democratic party.

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