by Erin St John

Created on: February 22, 2007   Last Updated: May 07, 2007

After thoughtful consideration, here is a history student's top-ten list, with explanations. Enjoy!

1. ABRAHAM LINCOLN - By holding together the Union in the face of Civil War and ending slavery in the United States, Lincoln saved America from being torn apart less than eighty years after its conception. He understood the importance of maintaining one nation, and was able to hold the country together with the sheer force of his will.

2. FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT - When FDR assumed the office of the President, the nation was in the throes of the Great Depression. His optimism and ability to try new things to move the country forward prevented America's decline into dicatatorship (which many at the time were calling for to relieve some of the suffering and move the economy), and saved our principles of liberty and freedom. Along the way, he introduced social safety net programs like Social Security to protect people from suffering abject proverty. His leadership in World War II - setting lofty goals for American achievement in production, homefront conservation, and military success - helped us defeat fascism around the world.

3. THOMAS JEFFERSON - As the author of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson's crowning gift to American history came before he was ever elected president. However, his opening up of the Louisiana Purchase is a critical chapter in American history as well; it nearly doubled the size of the United States, and gave us control of land from coast to coast.

4. GEORGE WASHINGTON - Like Jefferson, Washington's greatest achievements happened before his presidency, as commander of the Continental Army. As a president, however, George Washington's biggest gift to the nation was to establish the protocols of the presidency. He adopted the title of 'Mr. President', instead of Your Majesty, as others had suggested. He also declined to run for a third tirm, setting the precedent for self-imposed term limits (this was only enacted into law after FDR's death).

5. JOHN ADAMS - John Adams makes number five on the list for an unusual but important reason: for losing the election of 1800, and turning over power to Jefferson. This may not seem important; however, this was the first true test of the American system. When Washington stepped down, Adams - like Washington, a member of the Federalist party - became the next president, and despite a new president the same party remained in power. With Adam's loss, Jefferson (a Democratic-Republican) would take over.

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>