Who is the Most Important President?
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Brian Tubbs
- Mugwump53
- StateOFranklin
- Mugwump53
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Brian Tubbs
- Terrie_Bittner
- Wrap10
- Mugwump53
- Wrap10
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Brian Tubbs
- Most Important
While I would be interested in the opinions of everyone in this very informative Suite101.com section, I would like to nominate our first President (under the Constitution, that is) for this honor.
The bottom line is that without a successful Washington administration, it is highly unlikely that the United States would have survived much beyond its infancy. By "successful," I'm not simply referring to the fact that Washington "didn't screw up" (which seems to be the common understanding of his presidency). I'm talking about the very real challenges and crises that he confronted during his terms, including the Whiskey Rebellion, the French Revolution, tensions with Great Britain, Jay's Treaty, the formation of our economy under the Constitution, and the rise of political parties. Washington faithfully executed his duties, managing these and other crises, and laying the entire framework (via precedents) of the presidency in the process. And he did so without the benefit that all of his successors shared -- a history of the U.S. government and presidency to look to for information, guidance and inspiration. Think about it. As important and effective as Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan were as Presidents, they ALL had the records and legacies of quite a few predecessors to look to. Washington had nothing of the sort.
For what he accomplished, when he accomplished it, and what he had to work with, George Washington is (in my mind) our nation's most important and, for that matter, greatest President.
-Brian Tubbs
Contributing Editor, U.S. Founding Era
Suite101.com
-- posted by Brian Tubbs
» Mugwump53 - Greatest President
Brian-You are correct. This is an often-asked but always interesting question. I always divide it into two sub-questions.
Among the obvious answers, (Washington, Lincoln, Wilson, FDR), the answer is usually Washington or Lincoln.
For many years, whenever "experts" rated the presidents, it was always Washington, then Lincoln. Around the time of the Vietnam crisis, as the war powers came to the fore, Lincoln became first on most lists because of his use and definition of war powers.
I will agree with you that it was Washginton. My reason is more mundane than yours, but to me vital. Washington was extremely aware that he was setting precedents by virtually every action he took. His understanding of that importance made him carefully consider everything, no matter how trivial it may have seemed at the time. Consequently, he set excellent precedents on everything from the power of the federal government to enforce laws (the Whiskey Rebellion) to the social and moral ranks of the President (his famous social controversy with Hancock). He established the precedents on communicating with Congress, the public, the cabinet system and two term tradition. There is a much longer list of precedents of varying degrees of importance, but it is in their entirety that he did the greatest service for the new nation.
I take nothing from Lincoln or FDR, but Washington got us started and set our foreign policy for over a century and a half.
The other question often asked is the best president other than the four or five obvious greats. But that is another question.
John S. Cooper
Editor, President & First Ladies
-- posted by Mugwump53
» StateOFranklin - Most important President.
I understand and agree with all that both of you have said. But I have some further/different observations.The most important president to me would have to be whoever is currently holding that position.
Jefferson might be said to be the most important as he transcended the automatic acclaim that came to Washington and Defined the Presidency in much less political terms. By this I mean he helped to seperate the office from the dictates of congress/other leaders of the time. Also his strides in Foriegn policy helped set a foundation for acceptance of the new Republic.
Then again maybe it was Jackson (I know this goes against my stated dislike for him). It was Jackson that took the US from an Elitist Oligarchy to a more true republican Democracy.
Then again it might be Andrew Johnson. He took the shattered ruins of a Nation and pieced them back together despite great personal hardship and political opposition.
Maybe FDR. He should be credited with bringing forth the phrase "It's the economy stupid". He was the president that brought the government to the people in economics. What mattereth the Government to man that hath not to eat?
Maybe Nixon. Again a nation divided, in economic turmoil, and threatened by a volatile world. Despite his many failings he did bring peace and brought us into a much differant world.
There is so much that can be said about sooo many. Coolidge, Wilson, Harding, Adams, and most of the others are worthy of the title in one sense or another.
But then again, I don't really know much about political/Presidential History so I could very well be wrong too. :~>
YMOS:
JB
-- posted by StateOFranklin
» Mugwump53 - Bet You Can't Eat Just One......
JB:You make excellent points, as always. While you do an excellent job (especially for someone who claims not to know much about preidential history) of listing some great presidents and the contributions that made them great, the challenge here is to pick just one who was the greatest or did the greatest things.
It serves no notable purpose maybe, except that it makes us examine and prioritize, and it is interesting. So pick one and just one I will disagree with one of your evaluations. don't give much credit to Johnson for piecing the country back together. He was so completely neutralized by his own combativeness (he took a supportive majority and turned friends and allies against him until his supporters were a small minority) and the actions of a hostile Congress, that he had little or no control or influence over what happened after 1866. For example, the military commander of the five southern districts were by law ordered to report to and take orders from the Secretary of War, a man that Johnson was not allowed to fire according to the Tenure of Office Act. Thanks for you opinions about some great presidents. John S. Cooper
Editor, Presidents & First Ladies
-- posted by Mugwump53
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Brian Tubbs
- Most Important v. Most Pertinent
By your logic, one would argue that all wars are equally important. While all wars have made an important imprint in our nation's history, some have clearly made a deeper one than others. For example, can you honestly say that the Gulf War was equally as important (in terms of history) as the American Civil War? Certainly not, no more than you can say that Millard Fillmore is as important to our nation's history as Abraham Lincoln.
In my view, Washington remains the most important President, because without a successful Washington presidency, there likely wouldn't have been any others. And that would certainly limit our choices in this discussion. :-)
Brian Tubbs
Contributing Editor, U.S. Founding Era
Suite101.com
-- posted by Brian Tubbs
» Terrie_Bittner - I think Washington deserves the credit simply because he managed
I think Washington deserves the credit simply because he managed to avoid the temptations that could have ruined this country. Many people wanted a president who was more of a king, and he refused that kind of power, or the chance to stay in office forever. How many people might have yielded to the chance for massive power? We're in luck that he didn't want it.-- posted by Terrie_Bittner
» Wrap10 - And the Winner is....
Good discussion here. As much as I admire Lincoln, I think I would have to agree that Washington gets the nod as most important. (Is this where he strides to the stage and makes his acceptance speech?)On a special the other week about the Revolution, I heard one of the historians on the program say that Washington is the only person in American history who could have become a dictator or a king, had he so chosen. (Not an exact quote, but you get the point.)
He had a lot of opportunities to acquire power for himself, had he been inclined, but it seems to me that he was very concious of putting the country first. Like Mug points out, he was acutely aware that he was setting the precedent for all those who would follow him. That by itself was quite a responsibility, and I think he handled it extremely well.
So much for my semi-informed opinion. Did anyone see "Crossings" last week on A&E, about Washington's attack at Trenton? I thought Jeff Daniels gave a good portrayal of Washington. Made him look like an honest-to-goodness human being, instead of some emotionless painting.
Perry
-- posted by Wrap10
» Mugwump53 - "semi-informed opinions".....
Perry,Your "semi-informed" opinions are better than most well-formed opinions I've heard. Keep 'em coming!
Your point of Washington's refusing a throne is an excellent one, of course, and often mentioned when speaking of Washington.
As much as I enjoy your comments and as much as I want to encourage you to visit this site OFTEN, I should mention a new site you might also enjoy. Suite 101 has a "American Revolution and Founding Era" site. Go to the Suite 101 home page and click on Arts & Humanities, then click on History, just as you do to get here. Then click on American Revlolution and Founding Era. There is one discussion there on Washington's legacy which you might want to contribute to.
However, as good as that site is, don't forget to visit here a lot!
John S. Cooper
Editor, Presidents & First Ladies
-- posted by Mugwump53
» Wrap10 - Thanks Mug.
Thanks Mug. I'll take a look at the new site, but I'll try to visit here more often as well. I'd drop by more often as it is, if I didn't have so much trouble getting online in the evening. It seems to be virtually impossible anymore. Tonight seems to be an exception for some reason, and I've even been on for more than 10 minutes without getting knocked offline. And they say miracles never happen!Keep up the good work here.
Perry
-- posted by Wrap10
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