Top 10 Most Influential US Presidents Who Changed The Course Of World History
Barack Obama’s term as the US President is about to come to an end, and while there are questions about whether or not he has been a good president, and did justice to the position as the first African-American to assume the chair, and if the next president will be a good replacement. Questions are being raised about the next president’s capability to carry on the legacy left behind by some of the incredible people who have made the USA the most powerful land on this earth. Let’s take a look at the Top 10 Most Influential US Presidents.
Top 10 Most Influential US Presidents Who Changed Th Course Of World History
10. Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th US President, served in the oval office between January 1953 and January 1961. He was one of the most influential US presidents, after serving as a five-star general in the US Army during WW-II, and as Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe. His aim was to reduce federal deficits, and threatened the use of nuclear weapons. He provided strong financial support to the new nation of South Vietnam. Among his initiatives, he also authorized the establishment of NASA.
9. Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman, the 33rd US President, served from April 1945 to January 1953. He changed the history of the US and the world in ways that are looked upon critically. He assumed his position in the last months of the WW-II, thus being responsible for dropping the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. His presidency is considered as a turning point in foreign affairs. The popular assessments of his term were unfavourable, though they became more favourable after his retirement from politics.
8. Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagon, the 40th US President, served the nation as from January 1981 to January 1989. Before joining the political scenario of the US, he worked as a sports announcer, and then worked as an actor. He was responsible for bringing sweeping new economic and political initiatives in the country. He advocated tax rate reduction, and introduced supply-side economic policies, for economic growth. He survived an assassination, and went on to fight public-sector labour and escalation of the War on Drugs.
7. Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson, the 3rd US President, served from March 1801 till March 1809. He was a Founding Father of America, and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, 1776. He was a proponent of individual rights and democracy, and his principles led the colonists to form a new nation, breaking from Great Britain. He mastered many disciplines from mathematics to religion. He has been criticised for owning slaves, but is considered among the most influential US presidents for overall contributions.
6. Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th US President, served from March 1913 to March 1921. He was an academic, with a PhD in Political Science, and was considered a man of admirable principle. He was a leading force in the Progressive Movement, and oversaw the passing of legislative policies like the Federal Reserve Act, Federal Farm Loan Act, Federal Trade Commission Act, etc. He reintroduced an income tax and lowering tariffs. He drafted the 14 Point Peace plan during the WW-I, and wanted to end all wars.
5. Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th US President, served from September 1901 to March 1909. He was not only one of the most influential US Presidents, but also an author, explorer, soldier, naturalist and reformer, besides being an American reformer. At 42, he was the youngest to assume the President’s position. He led his country into the Proggressive Era, championing the Square Deal domestic policies. He helped provide citizens with fairness, pure food and drugs, etc. He also did his best to preserve the US’ natural resources.
4. John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy, the 35th US President, served the country from January 1961 till his assassination in November 1963. He is, without a doubt, one of the most influential US presidents, responsible for the historic changes, events and decisions, like the establishment of the Peace Corps for the development of underdeveloped nations, the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, Trade Expansion Act to lower tariffs, Civil Rights Movement, appointing intellectuals into the government, and much more, leaving a mark in US history.
3. George Washington
George Washington, the 1st US President, served from April 1789 to March 1797. He was also one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Touted as the father of the country, he was noted for his leadership, after being unanimously elected as the president of the nation in its first two elections. Needless to say, he was at the root of a strong nation, and presided over the convention that drafted the US Constitution.
2. Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th US President, served from March 1861 till his assassination in April 1865. One of the most influential US presidents, he assumed his position at a time when the great country was going through its biggest political, moral and constitutional crisis, and helped it through. He also saw America through its Civil War. As a result, he managed to preserve the Union, made the federal government strong, modernized the economy, and abolished slavery. His death was heavily mourned.
1. Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd US President, served in the oval office between 1933 and 1945. He assumed the position at a time of economic depression and war in the world, and brought changes through programs of relief, recovery and reform. The New Deal Coalition was one of his greatest contributions to the country. He helped unite labour unions, African Americans, white ethnics, and rural Southerners. His work later influenced the creation of the United Nations, and his work is globally important.
There are many other influential US presidents, such as Andrew Jackson, James Monroe, Grover Cleveland, James Knox Polk, Woodrow Wilson, etc., who have introduced many initiatives and reformations to the country. These men have changed the course of history, not only for the USA, but for the entire world. That is why, America’s upcoming election is a matter of political interest for the entire world. Will the new candidate who will take a chair be able to make America a place of unity and diversity for people of all genders, races and classes, and help the country stand for what it has always represented? Or will the US be a land of entitled white, hyper-masculine supremacists propagating racism, misogyny, homophobia, islamophobia, and bigotry of every kind? Only time will tell.
