Since George Washington became the first president in 1789, there have been good and bad presidents. But which have been the best US presidents in the past 250 years?
I have deliberately omitted presidents from the last 20 years, as things naturally get too political (I’ve omitted, Biden, Trump, Obama and Bush jr).
15. George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush was the first neoconservative president. He was the president between 1989 and 1993, and the father of future president George W. Bush (who is considered to be one of the worst US presidents, unlike his father).
What made Bush a particularly good president wasn’t necessarily what he did, but more like what he didn’t do. Serving immediately after Reagan, a president who changed the US dramatically, more change was unwanted by most.
As such, when Bush came to office, he didn’t really do much. Whilst he still did his job, he wasn’t as divisive as Reagan or Carter. This had long term impacts for neoconservatism, but most importantly, it endeared Bush to the American public.
14. Bill Clinton
Despite lying to the nation about his affair with Monica Lewinsky, Bill Clinton is still seen as one of the best US presidents. Without the Lewinsky scandal, Bill Clinton might’ve been viewed as a better president!
Throughout his presidency, Bill Clinton was one of the most contentious president in recent US history. Mostly, this came down to Clinton’s policies, which were seen as very leftist, even by “modern” standards.
Bill Clinton made welfare reform his administration’s largest goal. Over the course of his eight year presidency, Clinton made it so that any person who needed help from the government got what they needed.
Clinton was also the first president to open up talks with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Il, giving him aid in return for North Korea suspending its nuclear bomb project (although this wasn’t entirely successful).
13. James Monroe
It’s not surprising that a Founding Father and the fifth president is considered to be one of the best US presidents. However, James Monroe is certainly the least well-known president on this list!
Monroe’s presidency saw the largest expansion of territory for the Union at the time. In 1819, Monroe met the Spanish to purchase New Spain (modern-day Florida) from them. The result was that the US officially incorporated Florida in 1819.
Many free slaves demanded territory for themselves during Monroe’s presidency. The result was that Monroe entertained and later began to transpport free slaves to Liberia (hence Liberia’s capital is called Monrovia, after Presidnet Monroe).
12. Lyndon B. Johnson
After JFK’s assassination, his Vice-President, LBJ was sworn in as president, serving from 1963 to 1969.
As a Democrat, one of LBJ’s biggest concerns was poverty. The result was that he declared a “War on Poverty”. Thanks to his war on poverty, LBJ is often remembered as one of the best US presidents.
His so-called “War on Poverty” led to many in the US being able to go to college or university. You could argue that his policies in the 1960’s directly led to the first black president.
LBJ also implemented other social reforms, ranging from: expanding civil rights, to Medicare, to Medicaid, to aiding education, the arts, urban and rural development.
11. Andrew Jackson
Although not a Founding Father, Andrew Jackson is considered to be one of the best US presidents. After being a general in the US Army, Jackson tried his hand at politics, becoming the seventh president, serving from 1829 to 1837.
Jackson was one of the first “true” liberal presidents. His presidency was defined by him implementing reforms that helped the “common man” over the “entrenched elites” who many other presidents “pandered” to.
President Jackson also used his military experience as president to annex Texas for the Union. However, he has been viewed worse since the 1970’s as a result of his role in the removal of Native Americans from their land.
10. Thomas Jefferson
It’s not surprising that one of the Founding Fathers would be considered one of the best presidents. Thomas Jefferson was the third US president, serving from 1801 to 1809.
Although he owned a series of plantations in his native Virginia, Thomas Jefferson did implement several reforms that would go on to help Abraham Lincoln abolish slavery. Primarily, he made it illegal to import new slaves to the US.
Jefferson was the first president to actively encourage the building of a navy. This was done in order to ensure that Barbary Pirates in the North of Africa couldn’t harass American merchant fleets.
Although not an atheist, Jefferson was one of the first in the US to promote freedom of religion in the US. This is something that later became widespread after his presidency as a direct result of his actions.
9. Woodrow Wilson
The 28th president has impacted world events beyond belief. Every president that has come after him, owes at least something to President Wilson. Unlike many presidents, he is considered one of the best presidents, regardless of your political views!
Wilson was the president who guided the US through WWI. His leadership arguably led to the defeat of Germany and their allies on the Western Front.
After the war, President Wilson also helped to tear down the old European Empires (whilst also building up the American Empire). at the Treaty of Versailles, Wilson made it very clear that Germany couldn’t have an empire.
Wilson also guided the creation of the League of Nations- the precursor to the United Nations. You could also argue that Wilson brought the Anglosphere closer together and laid the groud work for CANZUK.
8. Harry S. Truman
Upon the death of FDR in 1945, Harry Truman, his Vice-President, became Commander-in-Chief. Despite not being meant for the job, Truman soon became one of the best presidents in history!
Although controversial now, but celebrated at the time, Truman dropped the first atomic weapon on an enemy combatant. This event likely ended the Pacific Theater much earlier than it would’ve otherwise.
Truman also saw a the start f the Cold War. During his presidency, he helped the British perform the Berlin Airlift which prevented West Berlin from starving because of the Soviets.
The Korean War was also initiated under Truman’s presidency, which saw the first “Victory” of capitalism over communism of the Cold War (and indirectly led to future proxy wars between NATO and the Warsaw Pact).
7. Dwight D. Eisenhower
Prior to being president, Dwight D. Eisenhower as the highest ranking general in the US Army during WWII. Using his success in WWII and WWI as a base, Eisenhower ran for president and was successful, serving between 1953 and 1961.
Eisenhower’s presidency saw great economic prosperity, thanks to the numerous post-war reforms enacted by Eisenhower. His presidency also saw the majority of the Korean War, using his military background, Eisenhower ended the war quicker than otherwise.
Throughout this presidency, Eisenhower made it a priority to contain communism, he did this by being a high-profile anti-communist. He took this so far, that he ended the Korean War and began helping the French in Vietnam.
Despite Vietnam being a complete military failure, it was initially a major success. This major success saw his approval rating skyrocketting, and remaining so, even 60 years after his presidency.
6. John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy is perhaps the most famous US president of “modern” times. His assassination has ensured that everyone alive at the time would remember his presidency.
Despite having a less than stellar record before being president, JFK was president between 1961 and 1963. Despite Eisenhower starting NASA, it was JFK that truly started the Space Race.
When the British and French unveiled Concorde, it was JFK who decided that the Americans needed an answer. The result was the Boeing 2707, that was subsequently never built.
JFK also made sure that Soviet-American relations would be improved. As much as JFK followed Eisenhower being a staunch anti-communist, he knew that a war would devastate the US as much as the USSR.
5. Teddy Roosevelt
During his presidency, Teddy Roosevelt was one of the most contentious presidents of his day. However, today, he is considered one of the best US presidents to have ever lived!
Teddy Roosevelt was one of the leading politicians to diminish the power of corporations and businessmen in politics. He helped to enact the main force of anti-trust legislation that exists even today!
Before his presidency, Roosevelt was in the Army. As such, he wanted to expand both the Navy and the Army, succeeding spectacularly in the former. His new Navy was one of the largest in the world!
With his large navy, Roosevelt began the steps that would one day conclude with the Panama Canal. In fact, he started the work that would one day become the major port that it is today!
4. Franklin D. Roosevelt
FDR was the longest serving president- he is the reason why there is a two term limit. FDR served as president between 1933 and 1945, when he died in office.
During his presidency, FDR was one of the most divisive presidents of his time. In fact, he was one of the most criticized presidents in history, especially so during his 12 year tenure.
But, when the Great Depression hit in the 1930’s, FDR was there to fix it, when Herbert Hoover could not. In 1934, FDR implemented the first of two New Deal. These new deals single-handedly saved the US’s economy.
FDR’s presidency also saw the majority of WWII. His presidency helped to shape the outcome of the war. Perhaps the most famous art of his presidency though, was the Infamy speech, after Pearl Harbour.
3. Ronald Reagan
At the time, Ronald Reagan was seen as one of the best US presidents by many. Today, Reagan is still seen as one of the best. Ronald Reagan served as president between 1967 and 1975.
Despite actually being a former communist (sort of), Ronald Reagan was the most outspoken anti-communist president ever. Reagan publicly decried the Soviets as conquerors and dictators and as an “evil empire”.
With that being aid, Reagan actively tried to de-escalate the Cold War, by hosting several summits with Gorbachev. The two most famous were those in Washington, DC and Moscow, minimizing nuclear armament between the two countries.
Reagan’s presidency also the introduction of several new economic policies which helped everyone and stimulated the American economy. Many have argued tat this helped in the collapse of the USSR in 1991.
2. Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln is generally considered to be one of the best US presidents ever! Depending on the author, he is usually first or second, trading places with our #1.
One of the least talked bout reasons why Abraham Lincoln was so beloved was his economic contributions. Under Lincoln’s presidency, the US went from being a backwater nation (in terms of economics) to a major contender!
Whilst it may have been polarizing at the time, Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery in the US and single-handedly kept the Union alive throughout his presidency, right up until his assassination.
For better or for worse, Abraham Lincoln also established the Republican Party. Although, the Republican Party was actually akin to the Democrats, rather than the modern conservative (and perhaps racist) Republican Party.
1. George Washington
Regardless of what your political affiliation is, you can agree that George Washington was by far the best US president. Washington was the only president how wasn’t part of a political party.
He is considered to be one of the best presidents based on the fact he won the Revolutionary War. Washington became the first Commander-in-Chief and later the first 5 star general.
Much of the etiquette that is part of being the president of the US, started with Washington. However, what made Washington particularly great was his economic reforms. These reforms are the backbone of the US, even today!
When you’re painting hangs in the oval office, staring at the current president, you know you’re one of the best!
Which is the best US president? Tell me in the comments!