The office of the American presidency has long been a focal point of national and global attention, wielding unparalleled influence in shaping history. From the earliest days of the Republic to the present, each occupant of the White House has brought their unique perspective, leadership style, and responses to the challenges of their time.
This revered institution, created by the Founding Fathers, has witnessed the rise and fall of leaders who have grappled with issues ranging from war and economic crises to civil rights and social progress. As we delve into the stories of these individuals, we embark on a journey through the rich tapestry of the American presidency, unraveling the complexities, triumphs, and trials that have defined the highest office in the land.
Top 10 Worst Presidents: U.S. News Ranking
In the compilation of its list of the 10 Worst American Presidents, U.S. News utilized an average of scores derived from three distinct metrics: the 2021 Presidential Historians Survey by C-SPAN, Siena College’s Presidential Expert Poll, and the Presidential Greatness Rankings conducted by professors from the University of Houston and Boise State University.
Among those narrowly falling short of inclusion were Presidents Benjamin Harrison and Chester A. Arthur, who secured the 11th and 12th positions, respectively, in the ranking of the nation’s 45 former commanders in chief.
Notably, President George W. Bush, previously ranked as the 11th-worst in prior U.S. News assessments, garnered a more favorable appraisal in recent presidential surveys. He now occupies the 15th-worst spot, edging out James A. Garfield and Martin Van Buren.
10 Worst American Presidents in History
In a noteworthy addition, U.S. News, for the first time, incorporated President Donald Trump into the rankings following the conclusion of his term. According to U.S. News’ latest methodology, he stands as the second-worst American president overall.
James Buchanan (March 4, 1857 – March 4, 1861)
James Buchanan was a Democrat from Pennsylvania. He was deeply religious and the only unmarried American president. Although he thought slavery was wrong, he, like most Democrats, didn’t want to challenge the rules set by the Constitution.
Even before becoming American president, he supported compromises that let slavery spread into new territories gained from the Louisiana Purchase and the Mexican War. One example was the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which allowed people in a territory to decide if they wanted slavery.
In his first speech as American president, Buchanan indirectly supported the Supreme Court’s upcoming decision in the Dred Scott case. This decision said Congress couldn’t stop slavery in the territories.
But what hurt his reputation was his weak response to states wanting to leave the Union after Lincoln’s election.
Instead of taking action, he let the situation get worse. Buchanan believed the Constitution didn’t give him the power to stop states from seceding. He thought history would remember him well for doing his constitutional duty, but he was wrong.
Donald Trump (Jan. 20, 2017 – Jan 20, 2021)
In a recent survey by C-SPAN ranking the leadership of former U.S. presidents, Donald Trump ended up near the bottom, securing the 41st position out of 44. The survey considered 10 leadership qualities, such as
- Public persuasion
- Crisis management
- Economic handling
- Moral authority
- International relations
- Administrative skills
- Relations with Congress
- Vision and agenda-setting
- The pursuit of equal justice
- Performance in the context of their times
Donald Trump scored highest in public persuasion (32nd place) and economic management (34th place). However, he ranked last in both moral authority and administrative skills. In contrast, Barack Obama, the president before Trump, improved his ranking from the previous survey, securing the 10th position overall.
Obama excelled in pursuing equal justice (3rd place) but had a lower ranking in relations with Congress (32nd place). Abraham Lincoln maintained the top position for the fourth consecutive survey, excelling in most categories except public persuasion, where he came in second.
Franklin D. Roosevelt secured the top spot in public persuasion and international relations, maintaining his ranking from the previous survey and finishing third overall.
George Washington claimed the lead in relations with Congress for the first time in this year’s survey, moving up from second place in the 2017 survey, while Lyndon B. Johnson, a former American president, had previously held the first position in this category.
Andrew Johnson (April 15, 1865 – March 4, 1869)
Andrew Johnson’s reputation among scholars has declined over the years, especially since Arthur Schlesinger’s 1948 poll. This shift is largely because a closer look at the post-Civil War Reconstruction period has led to a negative reassessment of Johnson’s actions.
He is now criticized for opposing the Radical Republican policies designed to protect the rights and well-being of newly freed African Americans. Before becoming American president, Woodrow Wilson, a historian, played a significant role in tarnishing the image of Reconstruction.
He portrayed it as a punitive program that harmed repentant Southerners while benefiting opportunistic Northerners (known as Carpetbaggers) and cunning white Southerners (known as Scalawags) who exploited alliances with blacks for political gain.
Johnson, a native of North Carolina with humble beginnings, worked as a tailor and later settled in Tennessee. He entered politics as a populist Jackson Democrat, holding various high offices, including U.S. senator.
Despite not being an abolitionist, he strongly supported the Union and was the only Southerner to keep his Senate seat after secession. In recognition of his loyalty, Lincoln appointed him military governor of Tennessee, where he worked to suppress Confederates and championed black suffrage.
In 1864, Lincoln chose Johnson as his running mate, and he became the 17th American president a month after being sworn in as vice president. However, his conflicts with Radical Republicans in Congress over Reconstruction measures revealed political ineptitude and a lack of concern for the struggles of newly freed African Americans.
He vetoed the renewal of the Freedmen’s Bureau and the first civil rights bill and even encouraged opposition to the 14th Amendment. This led to a contentious power struggle, with Congress attempting to limit his constitutionally delegated powers.
This clash resulted in the first presidential impeachment, though he narrowly avoided conviction. After failing to be renominated, Johnson returned to Tennessee and was re-elected to the U.S. Senate. While some argue that history’s current judgment may be too severe, it is fair to say that Johnson overlooked the efforts of Southerners trying to undo the positive changes brought about by the Civil War.
Franklin Pierce (March 4, 1853 – March 4, 1857)
Adding to the list of hesitant compromisers before the Civil War, Franklin Pierce was a Jackson Democrat from New Hampshire. His Whig opponents labeled him a “doughface,” meaning a northerner with Southern principles.
Pierce, the 14th American president and a handsome veteran of the Mexican War, strongly believed in expanding the nation, even if it meant adding more slave states. He ardently supported the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which, along with the Compromise of 1850, effectively nullified the Missouri Compromise of 1820.
Though less successful, he proposed annexing Cuba, even by force if necessary. However, his opponents suspected this move would introduce a new slave state, and they exposed the plan, ultimately forcing him to abandon it.
Pierce did succeed in gaining U.S. recognition for a questionable regime in Nicaragua. This regime was led by an American proslavery adventurer named William Walker, who had started a rebellion and declared himself American president.
Theodore Roosevelt later criticized Pierce, describing him as “a servile tool of men worse than himself” and someone always ready to do the bidding of pro-slavery leaders. Not even a flattering campaign biography written by Pierce’s college friend Nathaniel Hawthorne could counteract such harsh criticisms.
William Henry Harrison (March 4, 1841 – April 4, 1841)
Regrettably, President Harrison, the ninth leader of the United States, finds himself on lists more due to what seems like a scholarly injustice than any truly remarkable achievements. Hailing from Virginia, his most notable claim to fame rests on his victory over the Shawnees in the pivotal Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811.
While he secured a place in history, it’s not for an extended and impactful presidency. Quite the opposite. Despite delivering the longest inaugural address in U.S. history, Harrison’s tenure was abruptly cut short. A cruel turn of fate befell him as he contracted pneumonia shortly after taking office.
This unfortunate illness turned his presidency into a mere 30-day stint, earning him the dubious distinction of having the shortest presidency in the annals of U.S. history. It’s a tale that underscores political life’s unpredictability and sometimes harsh realities.
Warren G. Harding (March 4, 1921 – Aug. 2, 1923)
Warren G. Harding’s notoriety stems from his striking incompetence, as encapsulated in his self-deprecating admission:
“I am not fit for this office and should never have been here.”
Before ascending to the presidency, Harding, a former newspaperman and publisher from Ohio, had garnered political victories in his home state. Known for his unrestrained womanizing, charm, and insatiable desire to please, Harding’s affability often masked a lack of firm principles.
His dubious journey to the presidency began when Republican Party bosses selected him as a last-minute candidate in the proverbial smoke-filled room—a phrase that originated from this incident. Harding’s campaign was marked by vague declarations that left observers interpreting his stance on the crucial issue of U.S. entry into the League of Nations in conflicting ways.
Once in the White House as the 29th American president, Harding devoted himself more to leisure activities like golf and poker, as well as to his extramarital affairs, than to the responsibilities of his office.
Meanwhile, his appointees and associates engaged in widespread corruption, exploiting their positions to plunder the U.S. government in various creative schemes. For instance, Harding’s secretary of the interior allowed oilmen to access government oil reserves, including one in Teapot Dome, Wyoming, for a discreet under-the-table payment.
Harding’s indifference to governance was evident in his statement: “I have no trouble with my enemies; it’s my friends who keep me walking the floor nights.” The stress from such associations likely contributed to his death in office, likely due to a stroke.
Surprisingly, almost a decade later, Harding’s former attorney general referred to him as “a modern Abraham Lincoln whose name and fame will grow with time.” However, as of now, that time seems to be a distant prospect.
Millard Fillmore (July 9, 1850 – March 4, 1853)
The 13th president assumed office following the untimely death of the popular war hero Zachary Taylor, who had only been American president for a little over a year. Millard Fillmore, born in a log cabin in central New York, entered politics and the Whig Party through teaching and practicing law. Initially, as the vice president, Fillmore was largely overlooked.
However, he caught Taylor’s attention by expressing support for the Compromise of 1850 in case of a Senate deadlock. This compromise, consisting of five separate acts, including the controversial Fugitive Slave Law, went against Taylor’s principles.
When the ailing Taylor passed away, Fillmore, his successor, became an even more ardent advocate for the compromise measures. While Fillmore’s actions may have temporarily averted a national crisis and delayed the onset of the Civil War, it came at an exorbitant cost.
Twenty years later, The New York Times reflected on the notorious compromise, suggesting that Fillmore considered slavery as a political rather than a moral issue. The term “misfortune” might now seem too lenient to describe the consequences of his stance.
The 13th president assumed office following the untimely death of the popular war hero Zachary Taylor, who had only been American president for a little over a year. Millard Fillmore, born in a log cabin in central New York, entered politics and the Whig Party through teaching and practicing law.
Initially, as the vice president, Fillmore was largely overlooked. However, he caught Taylor’s attention by expressing support for the Compromise of 1850 in case of a Senate deadlock. This compromise, consisting of five separate acts, including the controversial Fugitive Slave Law, went against Taylor’s principles.
When the ailing Taylor passed away, Fillmore, his successor, became an even more ardent advocate for the compromise measures. While Fillmore’s actions may have temporarily averted a national crisis and delayed the onset of the Civil War, it came at an exorbitant cost.
Twenty years later, The New York Times reflected on the notorious compromise, suggesting that Fillmore considered slavery as a political rather than a moral issue. The term “misfortune” might now seem too lenient to describe the consequences of his stance.
John Tyler (April 4, 1841 – March 4, 1845)
Ranked as the eighth-worst American president, Virginian John Tyler holds the distinction of being the first to ascend to the presidency from the vice presidency. This unexpected promotion occurred when William Harrison succumbed to pneumonia 30 days after taking the oath of office.
Coming from a background in the planter aristocracy, Tyler initially embarked on his political journey as a Jefferson Republican. He actively opposed Federalist plans for high protective tariffs and federally funded “internal improvements.”
While serving as a U.S. senator, Tyler initially supported President Andrew Jackson’s campaign against the national bank. However, his alliance with Old Hickory soured when he thwarted South Carolina’s attempt to nullify a modest tariff.
Unwavering in his support for states’ rights and slavery, Tyler defended South Carolina’s right to secede if it chose to do so. Transitioning to the emerging Whig Party, Tyler joined forces with the popular war hero Harrison, and their campaign, known for the catchy slogan “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too,” convincingly defeated the Democratic candidates.
Once in the presidency, Tyler found himself at odds with the very party he had aligned with, opposing key Whig principles, including the establishment of a national bank. A fellow Whig accused Tyler of resurrecting “the condemned and repudiated doctrines and practices of the worst days of Jackson’s rule.” The entire cabinet appointed by Harrison resigned in protest, and Tyler faced an impeachment attempt.
Despite these challenges, Tyler achieved one notable success: establishing the precedent that a vice president succeeding to the presidency possesses no less authority than an elected American president. This achievement loomed large, particularly considering the widespread disdain he faced from within his party.
Herbert Hoover (March 4, 1929 – March 4, 1933)
Herbert Hoover, the 31st American president, assumed office just as the Great Depression loomed on the horizon. Possessing the skills of a seasoned technocrat and manager, this Iowa native and Stanford-educated engineer had previously orchestrated massive relief efforts in Europe during and after World War I.
Before his presidency, Hoover served as commerce secretary under Presidents Harding and Coolidge. As the nation grappled with the onset of the Depression, Hoover implemented measures like tax reductions and public works projects to stimulate job creation.
However, he staunchly resisted direct relief efforts. Hoover’s unwavering commitment to conservative principles may not have been his sole challenge. His deficiency as a communicator contributed to a perception of being cold-hearted and indifferent.
The destitute, in their makeshift shanty towns, derisively labeled them “Hoovervilles.” Arguably, one of Hoover’s major policy missteps was endorsing and enacting a tariff act that exacerbated international trade tensions, worsening the Depression.
However, beyond policy errors, his unappealing communication style alone could have cost him the election against FDR. Despite his commendable qualities, it’s reasonable to assert that Hoover struggled to meet the monumental challenges of his era.
Zachary Taylor (March 4, 1849 – July 9, 1850)
Zachary Taylor stands as a president more characterized by forgetfulness than failure. The 12th American president’s claim to this distinction is quite straightforward: he was arguably the least politically astute individual to occupy the White House in American history, often appearing ignorant to the point of innocence.
Hailing from Virginia but raised in Kentucky, Taylor embodied a rustic background, a courageous soldier with experiences in significant conflicts such as the War of 1812 and the Mexican War.
Despite being ridiculed by fellow generals for his perceived lack of refinement—he rarely wore his uniform and was sometimes mistaken for a farmer—Taylor’s steady judgment earned admiration, even garnering praise from Abraham Lincoln for overcoming unfavorable odds in numerous battles.
In 1848, the Whigs recognized a promising candidate in Taylor. As a slaveholder who defended the institution in the South, he paradoxically opposed its expansion into new states while vehemently objecting to the notion of secession.
Some believe that Taylor’s resistance to what later became the Compromise of 1850—unraveling the Missouri Compromise—might have played a role in triggering the Civil War. Had that come to pass, Taylor, with his formidable war record, would likely have confronted the would-be seceders. Unfortunately, this crucial test never materialized, as Taylor passed away after just over a year in office.
In Conclusion
Examining the legacies of these American presidents underscores the diverse challenges and triumphs woven into the tapestry of American history. From the political missteps of figures like Herbert Hoover, caught in the tumult of the Great Depression, to the forgettable yet intriguing presidency of Zachary Taylor, the 12th American president, who left a unique mark on the nation, each leader contributed in their way to the unfolding narrative of the United States.
The complexities of leadership, from Franklin Pierce’s struggles during the prelude to the Civil War to John Tyler’s unexpected ascent to the presidency and subsequent clashes with his party, provide insights into the multifaceted nature of governance.
Additionally, the shortcomings and successes of Millard Fillmore’s term, defined by compromises and controversies, illuminate the intricate dance between principles and pragmatism.
While some American presidents faced pivotal moments that could have altered the course of history, like Taylor’s potential involvement in averting secession, others, such as Warren G. Harding, grappled with personal shortcomings that cast shadows over their legacies.
As we reflect on these leaders, each with their unique circumstances and challenges, we gain a richer understanding of the intricate fabric of the American presidency. It is a tapestry woven not only with grand policy decisions and political acumen but also with personal quirks, communication styles, and the relentless march of historical events that shaped and defined each presidency.
Through this exploration, we navigate the complex terrain of leadership, appreciating the nuances and lessons embedded in the stories of these American presidents who, for better or worse, played their roles in the ongoing drama of the United States.
FAQs
Who Was the Lowest Ranked American President?
Johnson received the lowest overall ratings from historians. He assumed the presidency following Abraham Lincoln’s assassination and found himself in conflict with fellow Republicans over the Reconstruction period following the Civil War.
Who is the #1 Ranked American President?
On April 30, 1789, George Washington stood on the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York. It solemnly took the oath of office, officially becoming the first President of the United States.
Who Was the Youngest American President?
Article Two of the United States Constitution specifies that individuals assuming the role of U.S. president must be a minimum of 35 years old upon entering office. Theodore Roosevelt holds the record as the youngest person to assume the U.S. presidency, stepping into the role at the age of 42 following the assassination of President William McKinley.
How Many American Presidents Have Been Assassinated?
Four sitting U.S. presidents have been assassinated: Abraham Lincoln in 1865 by John Wilkes Booth, James A. Garfield in 1881 by Charles J. Guiteau, William McKinley in 1901 by Leon Czolgosz, and John F. Kennedy in 1963 by Lee Harvey Oswald.
What Was American President Roosevelt Known for?
He initiated numerous programs aimed at offering relief to the unemployed and farmers, concurrently pursuing economic recovery through initiatives such as the National Recovery Administration and other programs. Additionally, he implemented significant regulatory reforms in finance, communications, and labor. Furthermore, he played a pivotal role in bringing an end to Prohibition.
Which American President Didn’t Want to be President?
Following Coolidge’s announcement, there was considerable debate regarding the interpretation of his words. Some viewed the language as a clear and definitive statement indicating his unwillingness to continue as president. Conversely, others speculated that he might be expressing a desire to be drafted by the party as a candidate.
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