The American presidency has evolved into one of the most recognisable institutions in modern politics. Of the forty-four individuals who have held this office, four are widely accepted by modern historians as ‘great’ - the standard by which all other chief executives are measured.
George Washington. ‘First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen’. The role of the chief executive was written with Washington in mind, so it is hardly surprising that in his own time he was considered a great president. What did Washington actually do that so firmly established him as one of the greatest of all American presidents?
Abraham Lincoln is often ranked first on lists of US presidents. Lincoln was both a more complex, and more interesting, individual than some of his supporters suggest. He led the Union to victory in the Civil War and ended slavery – but how and why did he do so?
Theodore Roosevelt is often regarded as an early example of imperialism in action – but the man who eagerly participated in the Spanish-American War, and created one of the world’s most powerful navies, was also the first US President to receive a Nobel Peace Prize, and has been called the father of the modern conservation movement. How do we explain these apparent contradictions?
Franklin D Roosevelt was the only chief executive to serve more than two terms in office. His New Deal is often credited with ending the Great Depression – but did it really do so? He died on the eve of victory in the Second World War, and his presidency saw a massive expansion in the role of the Federal Government. Was this a positive development, or one which has irreversibly damaged the American political system?
John F Kennedy is one of the most highly-regarded recent presidents amongst the general public – so why do most historians consistently refuse to agree with them? What did this president– the youngest elected to office – actually achieve? Was his administration a triumph of style over substance, or were there significant aspects of his presidency?
Learning outcomes
- To discuss with others the term ‘greatness’ when applied to the US presidency;
- To develop greater knowledge and understanding of six important presidencies, and be able to make relevant comparisons between them;
- To reflect on the key themes that emerge from the course and to evaluate their relative importance.
