James Madison – at 5 foot 4, America's shortest President, but a towering figure in the fight to pass the US Constitution and Bill of Rights. As President, he was forced to fight another war against Great Britain, to uphold America's rights at sea. James Monroe – the last President who was also a Founding Father. He warned Europe not to meddle in American affairs, while promising the US would not interfere in Europe's affairs. He passed legislation to restrict slavery to existing slave-states, and new territories south of the Missouri Compromise line. He also supported the colonisation of Liberia by free African-Americans, which is why its capital, Monrovia, is named after him. John Quincy Adams – son of John Adams, America's second President. A brilliant diplomat who prioritised economic development, while paying off most of America's national debt. Andrew Jackson – a no-nonsense soldier, hero of the War of 1812, and founder of the Democratic Party. Once wounded in a duel, his authoritarian style caused his opponents, the Whigs, to brand him a dictator.
He began a policy of forced relocation of Native American tribes to west of the Mississippi River. Martin Van Buren – the first President born in an independent United States. Son of an innkeeper, he spoke Dutch at home. His presidency was dominated by America's first major financial crash. He served one term, then lost three subsequent bids for re-election. William Henry Harrison – a soldier who spent most of his career fighting Native Americans. He gave the longest inaugural speech in history, but served the shortest time in office – 30 days after his speech he died of pneumonia - the first President to die in office. John Tyler – the first Vice President to become President following the death of his predecessor. Expelled from his own party, the Whigs, for vetoing their bills, which he believed to contravene states' rights. James K Polk – a firm believer in westward expansion, he signed the law admitting Texas to the Union, and provoked a war with Mexico, resulting in the acquisition of half a million square miles of North America, including California, Nevada and Utah. He also negotiated the division of Oregon with the British.
Zachary Taylor – career soldier, hero of the Mexican War, had never voted before and held no firm political beliefs. With tensions rising between slave-owning and free states, he threatened to hang Southern secessionists, but died suddenly of a stomach illness. Millard Fillmore – born in a log cabin, the last Whig President. He supported an uneasy compromise between free and slave states, which was to prove short-lived. Franklin Pierce – took office shortly after he and his wife witnessed the violent death of their 11 year old son, a trauma that likely left them both suffering from depression.
He hastened the slide towards civil war by allowing brutal violence to engulf Kansas, where pro and anti-slavery settlers fought for control of the territory. James Buchanan – his attempts to mediate between Northern free states and Southern slave states failed abjectly, leading the Democrat Party to split, and the Southern states to leave the Union. Abraham Lincoln – America's first Republican president, he led the North to victory in the Civil War, and freed all southern slaves by executive order. He was the first president to be assassinated, shot and killed by John Wilkes Booth, at Ford's Theatre in Washington DC. Andrew Johnson – a Southerner born into poverty, he sided with the Union during the Civil War. But after the war, he blocked Congress's attempts to impose reforms on the south. This led to his impeachment, though he was acquitted in the Senate by one vote. Ulysses S Grant – Union hero of the Civil War, he used the military to enforce reconstruction of former slave states, and protect those targeted by white supremacist violence in the south.
His presidency also saw war against Native Americans, in the Great Plains. Rutherford B Hayes – won the most disputed, corrupt and violent presidential election in US history. He sought to heal the wounds left by the Civil War and Reconstruction, but by withdrawing federal troops from the south, allowed white supremacists to regain power. James A Garfield – took on corruption in the Senate and civil service, with some success, but was shot by an embittered lawyer just four months into his first term, and died of his wounds. Chester Arthur – son of an Irish Baptist preacher. Against expectation, he proved above political faction, and continued Garfield's work of reforming government bureaucracy. Grover Cleveland – the first Democrat President since the Civil War, and the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms. He used the presidential veto with gusto, blocking measures he thought were beyond the remit of federal government – even pensions for civil war veterans, and subsidies for destitute farmers.
Look out for Part 2 of US Presidents, where we continue with America's 23rd President. Bridgeman Images are the leading supplier of art, culture and historic images and footage. Representing many of the world's finest museums, collections and artists, their experts are ready to help with research and copyright, for projects ranging from TV and film to publishing and advertising. For more information please visit bridgemanimages.com Epic History TV relies on support from our viewers to keep making history videos. If you like what we do, please consider making a small pledge at our Patreon page.
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