Andrew Johnson

Date: Apr 10, 2007

RE: Presidents

Date: Apr 10, 2007

Krystal wrote:

James Madison. 1] Fourth president of the U.S.2] One of the most influential Founding Fathers3] Father of the Constitution4] Also the Father of the Bill of Rights5] Strongly believed in Republicanism6] Helped start the Republican party7] Was against Jays Treaty and the national bank8] Led the U.S. against Britain in the War of 1812.9] In 1815, he changed his views and supported the second national bank10] Accompanied Hamilton and John Jay in writing the Federalist Papers.

What were the main reasons Madison was so against the Jays Treaty and the National Bank?

Date: Apr 10, 2007

kathryn wrote:

#16 President LincolnLincoln was elected in 1960, beating his rival William H. Seward and Salmon Chase because of his expressed views on slavery (winning votes from abolitionists), his western origin (winning votes from new states), etc.Lincoln misunderstood Southern pride and stubborness and often denied in the 1850s that there would ever be a civil war. As soon as Lincoln was elected President of the US, South Carolina and later 6 other cotton growing states in the deep south had secceeded from the Union. They declared themselves an entirely new nation: The Confederate States of America.President Lincoln's power has often been question because he often made very important decisions without Congress's approval. Can Lincoln's power be considered dictator? or are his actions justified in which he is protecting his country in crisis?At the time Congress was some-what out of service and Lincoln was the head macho in the White House. His decisions were very important... all of them leading to important events that occured in the Civil War.The fighting began at Fort Sumter, a union fort in the secceeded south. Lincoln wanted to send supplies to the troops at the fort such as food and clothes. He told the South it was not an act of aggression. However, the South felt he was renforcing his troops and upon fire were forced to surrender in April 1861.(There are still more comming!!!)

You forgot to mention how tall he was!

Date: Apr 10, 2007

Zachary Taylor (November 24, 1784 July 9 1850) He was an American military leader and the 12th president. He was known as Old Rough and Ready and he fought in the army for 40 years. He served in the War of 1812, Black Hawk War and the Second Seminole War. But he was most known for his heroics in the Mexican-American War. He was a Southern slave owner and had no interest in politics. But the Whig party nominated him in the 1848 presidential election anyway. The only reason he was nominated is because he was considered a war hero among those in the South. He defeated the Democratic candidate in Lewis Cass and the Free Soil candidate in Martin Van Buren. Taylor is famous as a president for urging New Mexico and California to bypass the territorial stage and go straight to statehood. They did so but outlawed slavery in the state constitution. This angered Southerners but Taylor wouldnt live long to hear their complains. He died 16 months into his term of acute gastroenteritis. Milliard Fillmore would later replace him.

Date: Apr 10, 2007

kathryn wrote:

#16 President Lincoln.. blah blah blahKathryn.... president Lincoln also helped established the current system of national banks( National Bank Act)He increased the tariff to raise revenue, imposed the first income tax,encouraged immigration, started the railroads(Transcontinental) and set up the Department of Agriculture.

Date: Apr 10, 2007

Andrew Johnson

Term: April 15, 1865 March 4, 1869

Took over Presidency after Lincolns assassination
First President to tackle issue of Reconstruction
Created conflict within his party by being too lenient with ex-Confederate leaders, allowing them back into the Union government and allowing them to hold offices.
Lincoln requested his nomination to Vice President after he served as military governor of Tennessee during Civil War.
One of the only Southern Senators to go against secession prior to Civil War.
Vetoed multiple civil rights bills, which also put him in conflict w/ Radical Republican party
First Vice President to succeed to Presidency after assassination of a President, and third to take over after the death of a President.
Broke French control over Mexico by sending a regiment of soldiers, and an ultimatum. The French withdrew in 1867.
Was impeached on the terms that he intentionally violated the Tenure of Office Act when he removed Secretary Stanton and appointed a replacement without the consent of Congress.
Was acquitted by a single vote in the impeachment election. Impeachment requires a two-thirds majority vote.

Date: Apr 10, 2007

Ulysses S. Grant-18^th president

-Was a Radical Republican

-Fought in Mexican war under Zachary Taylor

-Was prompted to major General of volunteers after victory at Fort Donelson and Fort Henry.

-Fought at Shiloh, which was one of the bloodiest battles in the war.

-Was the 1^st Union General in the war to initiate coordinated offensiveness in more than 1 place.

-Was a very ruthless general

-Had a huge drinking problem

-Got Lee to surrender at Appomattox courthouse in 1865

-Elected President in 1868

-Was a friend with Jay Gould and James Fisk, two of the biggest land speculators.

-Died in 1885

Date: Apr 10, 2007

Brandi wrote:

James Abram Garfield (Nov. 19, 1831- Sept. 19, 1881).....blahblah

BRandi...

Garfield also held the shortest term in presidency( 6 months and 15 days)

was elected to the house of represenatives for the 38th congress

Garfield defeated canidate Winfield Scott Han**** during the 1880 election.

Date: Apr 10, 2007

Andrew Jackson:

He was the seventh president of the United States. He was considered the founder of the Democratic Party that is still around now. He was also known as Old Hickory because of his toughness. He was in office from March 4, 1829 to March 4, 1837. During his presidency he was very much against the National Bank or the Second Bank of the United States, as it is mostly known as. He thought it only helped make the rich richer and that it favored the Northern states over the Southern and the Western states. He was successful in vetoing the re-charter in 1832 and withdrawing funds by the US in 1833. Also during his presidency the Panic of 1837 took place. This was a direct result of the Specie Circular, which was an order given by Jackson that required that all land be bought with either gold or silver specie. The Panic of 1837 was a direct effect of this because many of the banks didnt have the hard money that was needed in buying the land so many of them just collapsed. Another major event that took place during Jacksons presidency was the Nullification Crisis. It was all an issue of states rights in the US and whether or not they had the right to refuse enforcing any laws or tariffs given by the US Congress. The Tariff of Abominations was also passed in 1828 as a way of protecting industry in the US from the Europeans by increasing their prices. The Indian Removal was another very big and important part of Jacksons presidency. He eventually signed the Indian Removal Act in 1830 which gave him the right to make treaties with the Indians in buying their lands in return for lands that are further west. President Jackson initially signed the Act as a way of enforcing national security. President Jackson was the first president who was the target of an attempted assassination. That attempted assassination was attempted on January 30, 1835.The shooter was Richard Lawrence who approached Jackson with two pistols which, by some miracle, he misfired both and didnt get Jackson. As a result of that there is to this day a statue of Jackson is placed in Capitol Rotunda (in the US Capitol Building) to remind everyone of where he was almost assassinated. This is basically all the important stuff that needs to be known about President Andrew Jackson. (theres a lot more than ten facts but hes just so interesting that I had to do more!!!)

Date: Apr 10, 2007

i did the wrong President first, the President i was supposed to work on was James Buchanan, so the other one was.. well, extra i guess.

      James Buchanan was the fifteenth president of the United States from 1857-1861, prior to the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. He was born on April 23, 1791 in Cove Gap, Pennsylvania, and he died on June 1, 1868 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was a gifted debator and graduate of Dickinson College. Buchanan was the only President who was never married.
      During his Presidency: At this time the Nation was rapidly dividing, and the political realities were that the North would not accept constitutional arguments which favored the South. and sectionalism had realigned political parties: the Democrats split; the Whigs were destroyed, giving rise to the Republicans.
       As President: Buchanan dealt with the issue of slavery. At this time in history, the Dred Scott decision was made, satisfying the south, however, arousing conflict in the north. Buchanan decided to end the troubles in Kansas by urging the admission of the territory as a slave state to address the issue properly. Although he directed his Presidential authority to this goal, he further angered the Republicans and alienated members of his own party. Kansas remained a territory. He denied the states the right to secede, hesitant in his decision and hoping for compromise, but sucessionist leaders did not want compromise. Lincoln's nomination to presidency was now in play in this post Civil War period where slavery issues built up between the north and the south.
       Buchanan reverted to a policy of inactivity that continued until he left office. In March 1861 he retired to his Pennsylvania home where he died seven years later, leaving his successor to resolve the frightful issue facing the Nation.

-kels

Date: Apr 10, 2007

Rurtherford B. Hayes (1877-1881)
-Safe liberalism, party loyalty, and a good war record made Hayes an acceptable Republican candidate in 1876.
-Historians have noted that the election of 1876 was not fair due to improper fraud and intimidation on both Hayes side and Samuel J. Tilden.-
-The Compromise of 1877 said that when Hayes became president he would pull federal troops out of the South and end Reconstruction.
-Two of Hayes most important policies was the Specie Payment Resumption Act which provided for the redemption of U.S. paper currency and the beginning of civil service reform.
-The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 was considered Hayes most controversial domestic act when thousands of Baltimore and Ohio Railroad employees walked off the job.
-Although Hayes was not very involved in foreign policies he decided in favor of Paraguay following the War of Triple Alliance.
-Febuary 15,1879 - Hayes signs a bill that for the first time allows female attorneys to argue cases before the Supreme Court of the U.S.
-Hayes voice was considered to be the first presidents voice recorded by Thomas Edison's new invention, the phonograph, in 1877
-Hayes wife, Lucy Hayes, helped him to ban alcoholic beverages, dancing, and card-playing from the White House.
-The Desert-Land Act was passed during Hayes presidency to encourage and promote the economic development of the arid and semiarid public lands of the Western U.S.

Date: Apr 10, 2007

Jillian wrote:

James K. Polk 11th president...blahblahblah
He was the youngest man to take presidency.

His goals were to re-establish the independent treasury System, reduce tarriffs and buy off california from Mexico.(accomplished all in 4 years)

He passed the Tariff or 1842 which abandoned ad valorem tariffs(tax based on real estate or personal preoperty)

Date: Apr 10, 2007

Jarred wrote:

Chester Arthur.....blahblahblahJarred**** hahah Stars....During Chester A. Arthur the first standard oil was founded ,the Chinese Exclusion Act was passed(Suspension of Chinese Immigration),

Date: Apr 10, 2007

President Franklin Pierce
1. Franklin Pierce was the 14th president of the United States and served from 1853-1857. He was a member of the Democratic Party.
2. He graduated Bowdoin College third in his class and entered a law school in Northampton, Massachusetts.
3. He ended up beginning a law practice in Concord, New Hampshire.
4. He fought in the Mexican-American war and was appointed brigadier general of volunteers.
5. Pierces opponent was General Winfield Scott of Virginia whom he beat and became the youngest man elected president at that time.
6. Pierce created tension when he pressured the Untied Kingdom to relinquish its special interests along part of the Central American coast.
7. He also tried to persuade Spain to sell Cuba for $100 million because of the expansive sugar crop in Cuba.
8. The release of the Ostend Manifesto, which was signed by some of Pierces cabinet members, caused outrage when it suggested that we take Cuba by force.
9. Pierce sent James Gadsden to Mexico, after being persuaded by Steven Douglas, and bought southern Arizona and southern New Mexico for $10,000,000 to promote a railroad from Chicago to California through Nebraska. After this Douglas then provided in his bills that the residents of the new territory could decide whether they wanted slavery or not. Pierce was persuaded to support Douglas.
10. This caused bleeding Kansas and Pierce lost all credibility he may have had in the North and the South and was the only elected president to fail to be renominated by his party for a second term. He also had the reputation of being one of the worst presidents in U.S. history.

Date: Apr 10, 2007

Tanya, do you think Harrison's standpoint on tarrifs was wise knowing what we know today of tax and what it is or was used for, and do you think his "pension" proposal / criteria is familiar considering the pensions of retired workers, widows with families, etc. of today?
Do you think Benjamin Harrison being 23rd President of the United States gave him a solid influence or examples to go by of how to best deal with the issues he faced as President? (possibly due to the mistakes or accomplishments of previous leaders before him)

-kels

Date: Apr 10, 2007

Theodore Roosevelt became president after William McKinley was shot on September 6, 1901.

Roosevelts biggest campaign while in office was his Square Deal, which was strongly against big businesses, and Roosevelt earned the name the trust buster.

During Roosevelts administration he passed the Interstate Commerce Commission, the Pure Food and Drug Act, Hepburn Act, and the Meat Inspection Act.

He also promoted the conservation of land and set up many national parks and preservations especially in the far Midwest.

President Roosevelt had a strong approach toward foreign policy and thought that the United States should use its power and wealth to help the under-developed countries such as the Philippines and Puerto Rico.

He set up his Great White Naval fleet which toured around the world to intimidate other countries with power especially Japan.

Date: Apr 10, 2007

CRYSTAL wrote:

Thomas Jefferson BLAHBLAHBLAH
Crystal.....

During the Election between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr they tied for first place by electoral votes. The house of represenatives choose Jefferson (federalists had some power)

Date: Apr 10, 2007

Julia wrote:

William Henry Harrison- blahblahblah..Was the oldest man to take presidency at 68 until ronald reagan took his term later on.deleivered the longest inauguration address in american history Harrison and Clay had also disagreed about government patronage

Date: Apr 10, 2007

Jessica's getting rowdy.

Date: Apr 10, 2007

Brandi wrote:

James Abram Garfield (Nov. 19, 1831- Sept. 19, 1881) The 20th president of the US and the second US president to be assassinated. He was involved in the Credit Mobilier of America Scandal. Garfield was shot four months after he came into office.

Nice post. I was just wondering, why was Garfield assassinated. Di it have anything to do with politics or events that were going on at the time. Also Credit Mobilier sounds really familiar.. but i cannot remember what it was exactly. i was hoping you could help me out.

Date: Apr 10, 2007

Krystal wrote:

James Madison. blahblahblah....

krystal ....

James Madison also failed terribly to block the Bank in 1791.

During the War of 1812 MAdison faced a divided cabinent, obstructivist governors, incompetant generals, and unifited popular support.

Madisons vetoed on states' rights grounds a bill for "internal Improvements" (roads bridges canals) right before he left office

Date: Apr 10, 2007

alex j wrote:

millard fillmore.....boring...

Alex ....

Millard fillmore removed mostly everyone from taylors cabinent putting in other people.

He admitted CAlifornia as a free state, settled the texas boundaries,

He granted territorial status to New Mexico, passed the fugitive slave act, and got rid of slave trade in the District of Columbia

Date: Apr 10, 2007

President Martin Van Buren was the 8th president of the united states (1837-1841)
Was nick-named Old Kinderhook (OK) because he was born in Kinderhook, New York
He was the vice-president to Andrew Jackson
He was the first president that was not Irish, English, of Scotish, which opened the doors to other presidents.
He was also the first president in which did not experience the American Revolution first hand.
He is known as the only president in which English was not his first language, Dutch was.
His presidentcy was largely focused on the Panic of 1837
His daughter-in-law, Angelica Van Buren was first lady because he was widowed by his wife before he was president
He was the first president born after the signing of the Declaration of Independence (1782) making him technically the first American president. The others were still considered born British subjects.
" Martin Van Buren is also the first president to have an exclusive interview to a reporter, James Gordon Bennett, of the New York Herald in 1839

Date: Apr 10, 2007

For Jill and Jarred,
The Credit Mobilier Scandal had to do with the Union Pacific Railroad and the Credit Mobilier of America Construction Company. The Credit Mobilier kinda went down the drain because they choked on some unwise loans. I don't really understand totally what it is either, besides the fact that its huge profit left other investors bankrupt.

Date: Apr 10, 2007

Grades updated April 10 1:49pm

Date: Apr 10, 2007

Grover Cleveland

Was the 22^nd and the 24^th president in the United States and the only one to not serve to consecutive terms.
He was the only Democrat also elected in office during the era of Republican domination in office which went from 1860, the end of the Civil War.
Cleveland was very liberal and didnt believe in imperialism, taxes, corruption and inflationary policies.
Cleveland was not in favor of having Hawaii as a new state or its annexation into the United States and so he took the Americans out (except for those in Pearl Harbor) but this led to great controversy because the Senate wished to annex Hawaii.
Cleveland was also faced with the Panic of 1893 and the economic depression. He repealed the act to use silver to back up the nations money and kept the nation on the gold standard.
He was thought to be against any bills that would pay pensions for Civil War Vets but Cleveland believed that if it wasnt in the constitution it would be hard for him to pass any bill.
Cleveland used the veto power more than any president up to his time.
Cleveland also did not agree with Arthurs Nicaragua canal treaty because it tied the U.S. to allies which he really did not want.
Cleveland in his second term also decided to re-enforce the Monroe Doctrine and also added that America should stay on their side of the hemisphere and worry bout themselves. He was very much an isolationist in the aspects of imperialism.
Cleveland also reduced the high protective tariffs in the U.S. in hope to stop any problems with big business in the U.S. and a few people holding all the money.

Date: Apr 10, 2007

melanie<3 wrote:

President Martin Van Buren was the 8th president of the united states (1837-1841)Was nick-named Old Kinderhook (OK) because he was born in Kinderhook, New YorkHe was the vice-president to Andrew JacksonHe was the first president that was not Irish, English, of Scotish, which opened the doors to other presidents.He was also the first president in which did not experience the American Revolution first hand.He is known as the only president in which English was not his first language, Dutch was.His presidentcy was largely focused on the Panic of 1837His daughter-in-law, Angelica Van Buren was first lady because he was widowed by his wife before he was presidentHe was the first president born after the signing of the Declaration of Independence (1782) making him technically the first American president. The others were still considered born British subjects." Martin Van Buren is also the first president to have an exclusive interview to a reporter, James Gordon Bennett, of the New York Herald in 1839

Hey Melanie, another important thing during his presidency was that Van Buren oversaw the Trail of Tears, which was the name given to the act of basically kicking out the Cherokee Indians farther west. It was a very hard trail causing many Native Americans to die. Just thought it was another important fact to remember!!

Date: Apr 11, 2007

Melanie,

Do you think Van Buren was the only president to have a first lady that was not his wife?

Date: Apr 11, 2007

Melanie,

Do you think Van Buren was the only president to have a first lady that was not his wife?

Date: Apr 11, 2007

John Quincy Adams "Old Man Eloquent"

John Quincy Adams was the sixth president, 1825-1829.

He was the first president who was son of a president (John Adams, the second president of the United States.)

Adams was one of America's great Secretaries of State, arranging with England for the joint occupation of the Oregon country, obtaining from Spain the cession of the Floridas, and formulating with the President the Monroe Doctrine.

John Quincy Adams had a major role in forming the Monroe Doctrine. Though Adams' words in that famous document made it clear that the United States would not tolerate any new European colonization in the Americas, the doctrine properly bears President Monroe's name.

Adams was a patron and supporter in Congress of scientific activities, especially in the fields of weights and measures, and astronomy. He led the movement for establishment of the Smithsonian Institution, in Washington, D.C., one of the nations foremost centers of learning.

He was the only president to be elected to the House of Representatives after serving as President.

Adams argued before the Supreme Court on behalf of slaves from the ship Amistad who mutinied during their journey from Africa.

As president, Adams' ideas for using taxes for public works projects and scientific exploration were not popular with the public, and he was not reelected.

He was appointed Minister to the Netherlands in 1793 and then Minister to Russia in 1802. He spent time in nearly every European country and came to know how to run a government quite well.

He was the first president elected without winning the popular vote.

Date: Apr 11, 2007

William McKinley Jr. born on January 29,1843 and died on September 14, 1901.

Nationally known Republican leader.
Annexed the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Guam and Hawaii.
Assassinated by an anarchist and succeeded by Theodore Roosevelt, lived from his two gun shot wounds for 8 days then later died from gangrene.
Enlisted in the Union Army during the American Civil War in 1861.
Was the prosecuting attorney of Stark County, Ohio from 1869-1871.
Elected Republican to the United States House of Representatives and served two terms. [1877-1882, 1885-1891]
He served from 1897-1901 as president; he was re-elected in 1900.
In 1890 he sponsored the McKinley Tariff, which was the highest tariff in the nations history.
Served as the 25 President of the United States.
His nickname was Idol of Ohio.
Governor of Ohio from 1892-1896.
Studied law and opened his own office in Canton, Ohio, and married Ida Saxton.

Date: Apr 11, 2007

Julia wrote:

Melanie,

Do you think Van Buren was the only president to have a first lady that was not his wife?

No he wasnt the first president other than his wife as "First lady". Some presidents in history were widowed and Buchanan (after Van Buren) was a bachelor. Thomas Jefferson actualy had his daughter as his first lady after she died (Maria Jefferson Epps) and James Monroe had his daughter as his first lady (Eliza Monroe Hay) after he was widowed as well.

Date: Apr 11, 2007

Tru there were alot of presidents who were married and lost their wives during their term and there were a couple of presidents who got married while in office. Woodrow Wilson and Grover Cleveland were both married during their terms. Woodrow's wife would also play a key role in helping run the country while her husband was paralyzed.

Date: Apr 11, 2007

Jarred wrote:

Crystal
The Election of 1800 between Jefferson and Adams was also known as the Revolution of 1800 because it was so controversal. Also did you know that after Jefferson got out of office he wrote his own version of the Bible. He pretty much just crossed out whatever he thought was wrong. You can still buy it today on like Amazon.com for like $10.80 or something.

That's pretty cool, huh. not really, what a waste of money to buy though. I personally like Adams better anyway, i'm not too sure why, but that's just me. biggrin

Date: Apr 11, 2007

C.Santos wrote:

Tru there were alot of presidents who were married and lost their wives during their term and there were a couple of presidents who got married while in office. Woodrow Wilson and Grover Cleveland were both married during their terms. Woodrow's wife would also play a key role in helping run the country while her husband was paralyzed.

how funny talking about presidents and their marital statuses (stati? :))
remember theodore roosevelt and his meetings. or bill clinton and monica lewinski, how admirable of hilary to still be with him, she is after all a very powerful lady. Oh man, the talk about Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe. Like her picture in his bathroom from Forest Gump. I wonder if that was true. confused

so controversial

Date: Apr 11, 2007

Updated

Date: Apr 11, 2007

kathryn wrote:

As soon as Lincoln was elected President of the US, South Carolina and later 6 other cotton growing states in the deep south had secceeded from the Union. They declared themselves an entirely new nation: The Confederate States of America.Hey Kathryn, srry 2 bug u, but what were some of the other reasons why the southern states secceeded, other than the fact that he was elected presdident?

Date: Apr 11, 2007

Hey Mellissa, did u know that Adams also helped organize the Treaty of Ghent and it was because of his activity in foreign policy that when he was elected most of the issues that he would have face were already fixed.

Date: Apr 11, 2007

Jarred wrote:

Jill
I was wondering, how did Polk die again?

It is believed that Polk may have contracted Cholera on a goodwill tour in New Orleans. Also, it is believed that the stress of politics and his term in offcie took a severe toll on Polks health. He began to rapidly lose weight and began to have dark circles around his eyes right after his presidency. Once again, he died 3 months after his term ended.

Date: Apr 12, 2007

Julia wrote:

alex j wrote:

1. 13th president2. Served 3 years3. Proceeded Zachary Taylor4. Admitted California as a free state5. Signed the fugitive slave act6. Abolished the slave trade in D.C.7. Would be the last Whig president8. Lost the 1856 election as the Know Nothing Party candidate9. Helped found the University of Buffalo10. He granted territorial status to New Mexico
Alex, why do you think there weren't any Whig Presidents after Fillmore?

The party was destroyed by the question of whether to allow the expansion of slavery to the territories. The party was split between this question and the party would run Winfield Scott over incumbent President Fillmore. The Whigs would never elect another president and its leaders basically quit politics or changed partys.

Date: Apr 12, 2007

alex j wrote:

Julia wrote:

alex j wrote:

1. 13th president2. Served 3 years3. Proceeded Zachary Taylor4. Admitted California as a free state5. Signed the fugitive slave act6. Abolished the slave trade in D.C.7. Would be the last Whig president8. Lost the 1856 election as the Know Nothing Party candidate9. Helped found the University of Buffalo10. He granted territorial status to New Mexico
Alex, why do you think there weren't any Whig Presidents after Fillmore?

The party was destroyed by the question of whether to allow the expansion of slavery to the territories. The party was split between this question and the party would run Winfield Scott over incumbent President Fillmore. The Whigs would never elect another president and its leaders basically quit politics or changed partys.

Well Alex they didnt officially quit politics or wnet Democratic they actually formed the start of the Republican party at the time. Lincoln would be the first and if u matched the idea of the Whigs and the Republicans they were very similar.

Date: Apr 12, 2007

Woodrow Wilson...
1. ...was elected President of the United States in 1912 and 1916 and served for all of both terms, despite health issues near the end of his presidency.
2. ...was president of Princeton University from 1902-1910, and was on the faculty of Bryn Mawr College, Wesleyan University, and Evelyn College for Women.
3. ...ran against Theodore Roosevelt (Progressive Party) and William H. Taft (Republican Party) in the 1912 Election.
4. ...entered The Great War (WWI) soon after being re-elected (1917).
5. ...formulated his Fourteen Points as standards for the post-war world, and the League of Nations was influenced by them.
6. ...formed the Committee on Public Information to influence the American people to turn against Germany out of patriotism.
7. ...played a key role in writing up the Treaty of Versailles (1919) at the Paris Peace Conference, and was well received throughout Europe.
8. ...was involved in the passing of the 19^th Amendment (the right to vote for women).
9. ...allowed segregation in the capital and promoted it at Princeton.
10. ...is on the $100,000 gold certificate (so cool!).

Date: Apr 12, 2007

Brandi wrote:

Crystal,
All I really have to say is that Thomas Jefferson was a pretty cool guy. =] Knowledge just seemed to pour out of him lol. But he did lots of cool things like support the Alien Sedition Acts (which I think was pretty smart) and basically writing the Declaration of Independence. (All I can think of is National Treasure now when it comes to the Declaration of Independece haha)

T.J. was pretty smart, agreed. The whole bible rewriting thing was weird. who has time like that, aha. I love National Treasure. I bet Mr. E could give nick cage a run for his money on knowlege about that kind of stuff. ha

Date: Apr 12, 2007

Alex Z. wrote:

Woodrow Wilson...
10. ...is on the $100,000 gold certificate (so cool!).

There are gold certificates !?! I def. want one or two or maybe even three.

Date: Apr 13, 2007

Amanda wrote:

William Howard Taft

...Also, in his youth, Taft allegedly once ate a live frog on either a dare or a bet.

by the fundamental theorem of calculus.

Date: Apr 13, 2007

^Alexander Zarecki

Date: Apr 13, 2007

Jarred, I never heard of Chester Arthur... or the Father of Civil Service.
So did he really get rid of the Spoils system? Because i thought the presidents and government officials can fire people to replace them with other people.

Date: Apr 15, 2007

Jarred wrote:
Tanya
I was a little confused when you said that they removed the tariffs because they were creating excess money in the Treasury. Isn't that a good thing? Why would they not want to have that money?

Yeah, it doesn't really make sense, but from what I can find, it made farmers go into more debt than they were already in. The tariff (McKinley Tariff) made farm equipment prices rise, and failed to stop agricultural prices from falling. If this isn't the reason, then I don't know why, sorry.

Date: Apr 15, 2007

Kelsey Rae Lewin wrote:
Tanya, do you think Harrison's standpoint on tarrifs was wise knowing what we know today of tax and what it is or was used for, and do you think his "pension" proposal / criteria is familiar considering the pensions of retired workers, widows with families, etc. of today?
Do you think Benjamin Harrison being 23rd President of the United States gave him a solid influence or examples to go by of how to best deal with the issues he faced as President? (possibly due to the mistakes or accomplishments of previous leaders before him)

-kels

Well, like I just told Jarred, if that is the reason he repealed the tariff, then I guess it was good for the farmers, but for the rest of the nation it wasn't really all that good. So, I don't think it was all that wise for him to repeal it. Umm, I'm not really sure what you're asking me with the second question...but I guess it is familiar today since soldiers still get pensions today. Since there were 22 presidents before Harrison, he had a lot of issues and decisions to look back on. Like how Polk supported acquiring new land for the U.S., maybe Harrison considered decisions like that when he proposed to annex Hawaii. As time goes on, each president has an advantage to look back at the decisions and issues previous presidents faced. Hopefully those issues and decisions can help the present (whatever time period) president deal with the decisions he (maybe sometime in the near future she) has to face.

Date: Apr 15, 2007

kathryn wrote:
Jarred, I never heard of Chester Arthur... or the Father of Civil Service.
So did he really get rid of the Spoils system? Because i thought the presidents and government officials can fire people to replace them with other people.

After Garfield died, Arthur wanted to reform the spoils system. The Civil Service Commission made appointments to federal jobs on the basis of competitive examinations. Government officials now began to appoint people other than their 'friends' or people whom they hired as a reward for their support in elections. I'm not really sure the spoils system can be rid of entirely, I think it kinda depends on who's doing the hiring, and whether or not that person is looking out for the nation, or themselves. Arthur was the one to reform (change) the spoil systems use in government.