By Monique Cole
America is a melting pot filled with various forms of diversity through traits, jobs, hobbies, culture, ethnicity and ideology. Each president has left his mark on some aspect of American history. As a nation, we celebrate Presidents’ Day on the third Monday of February. This year, that lands on Feb. 20. In honor of Presidents’ Day, Charles Zelden, professor within the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, shed light on some of our previous presidents’ contributions. Zelden has taught courses in history, political science and legal studies.
Early inspirations
“There is influential at the time, and there is influential longer,” Zelden said.
As presidents’ come and go, their legacy and actions add to the framework of what it means to be a president. However, some presidents will have more of an influence on what it means to be a successful commander-in-chief either when they are in office or when they are well-retired.
According to history.com, George Washington fought for the creation of America during the American Revolution by serving as a chief for the Continental Army. President Washington quickly got America going by nominating the first chief justice and establishing the Supreme Court, instating the first bank that ultimately boosted the economy and signing the constitution.
“Lincoln came in and saw a challenge and was able to wise to it. Hence, many considering him the greatest president we have,” said Zelden.
In the midst of a divided America due to the Civil War, President Lincoln had to develop a plan quickly. According to history.com, President Lincoln was behind the Emancipation Proclamation, which was a controversial order that freed slaves in Confederate states.
Remember them not so fondly
While there is no official rubric system of what it means to be a great president, Zelden talked about how opinions change with personal values.
“Do you want a very strong and very active president who not only takes the lead, but dominates the government? Well, if you want that, then Teddy Roosevelt, Lincoln, George Washington, [and] Andrew Jackson all fit the bill,” said Zelden.
According to unitedhistory.org and whitehouse.gov, Andrew Jackson waged war against the second bank of the United States, as well enforced the Indian Removal Acts.
“If you want a president who is a leader of a coequal branch with other branches of government, then you might see these presidents as overreached,” said Zelden.
According to whitehouse.gov, Martin Van Buren’s presidency, with Jackson’s legacy, included the “boom and bust” economy that sparked the Panic of 1837, considered one of the worst depressions in American history. It also included President Jackson’s Indian Removal Acts that were enforced during Van Buren’s presidency, resulting in the removal of the Cherokee Indians in the event known as the Trail of Tears.
As Zelden puts it: “Presidents are human. They make mistakes.”
Interesting insights
Presidents have their quirks, and some even had quite the interesting time in office. When America receives a new president, America also inherits a new first family. Sometimes that first family brings their family pets. According to presidentialpetmuseum.com, President John Quincy Adams had a gator that resided in the White House bathroom. President Calvin Coolidge had dogs, birds, a goose, cats, a bobcat, raccoons and a donkey.
Presidential health can also affect the presidency. According to history.com, William Howard Taft is noted as one of the largest presidents, weighing in at a total of 355 pounds. While residing in the White House, President Taft had a company handcraft a bathtub to avoid the problem of becoming stuck. Even though President Taft never got stuck in his bathtub, a rumor that he did while being commander-in-chief still exists today.
“[Probably] 95% of Americans didn’t realize FDR had polio and was in a wheelchair,” said Zelden. “He would stimulate short walking period, but mostly when you see him giving speeches, he is standing up at the beginning and standing up at the end. This was a political decision, possibly a personal one. Had Americans known he was crippled in that manner, they probably wouldn’t have voted for him.”
In the words of Zelden, in reference to being president of the United States, “It’s the world’s toughest job. I ask a question in my class: given all we ask the presidents to do, can they do the job? Can one person do the job? And the answer is no.”
It is up to the historian to record and be part of a president’s evaluation. “It takes 20 years for me to give you an answer, but that’s ultimately what you need is time to evaluate ‘was that a good action? Was that a good belief? Did the view of the presidency or the actions of the president have significance?’”
What presidents will you remember this Feb. 20?
