Top 7 Most Influential U.S. Presidents in History

November 7, 2024 | 03:53 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United States actively asserts its dominance on the global stage, permeating its significance through captivating international trade markets, military might, robust economic resources, and technological prowess. 

As the world's largest economy, the United States attracts global attention, with investors and people from all walks of life bound to study its policymakers, including its leaders. Abraham Lincoln, for instance, is widely regarded as one of the most influential presidents in U.S. history and has long been the subject of leadership studies worldwide. 

Numerous U.S. presidents have left enduring legacies during their time in office, as highlighted by C-SPAN and Business Insider. 

1. Abraham Lincoln - 16th President 

A survey of 100 historians conducted by C-SPAN in 2021 crowned Abraham Lincoln as the best U.S. president in history, with around 897 final scores. He was greatly praised as a commendable leader in multiple aspects, such as vision on the agenda, crisis leadership, performance in the context of the time, and moral authority. 

Renowned to be the active founder of the Republican Party, Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, freeing those slaves within the Confederacy. 

2. George Washington - 1st President 

Often referred to as the “Father of the Country”, the United States Capital is named after George Washington. His substantial impact on the country’s early advancements goes beyond that, as his face is prominently featured on the U.S. dollar bill and quarter. 

3. Franklin D. Roosevelt - 32nd President 

Elected as the 32nd President during the depths of the Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt scored high on characteristics like public persuasion, crisis leadership, and international relations. 

The vigorous strain between the United States and Russia had led Roosevelt to devote careful planning to the United Nations, in which he hoped to settle international difficulties. 

4. Theodore Roosevelt - 26th President 

Inaugurated at the age of 42, Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest U.S. president in the nation’s history. He brought a breath of fresh air to the office, even forging stronger foreign policies and progressive reforms. 

One of his praiseworthy acclamations was the Nobel Peace Prize, which he attained for mediating the Russo-Japanese War to reach a Gentleman's Agreement on immigration with Japan. 

5. Dwight D. Eisenhower - 34th President 

Dwight D. Eisenhower’s heroic status, tracing back to World War I, brought the committed general to become U.S. president without any political experience. As per the C-SPAN poll, his influence cut across multiple categories, including moral authority and international relations. 

During his two terms, Dwight D. Eisenhower made tremendous efforts in alleviating the tensions of the Cold War. 

6. Harry S. Truman - 33rd President 

Leading the United States through the final stages of World War II, Harry S. Truman developed a 21-point program that proposed the expansion of Social Security. The program was known as the Fair Deal and included the Full-Employment Program, the Permanent Fair Employment Practices Act, and public housing and slum clearance. 

7. Thomas Jefferson - 3rd President 

Thomas Jefferson was one of the most influential U.S. presidents, exemplifying his massive contribution by becoming the principal author of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. During his presidency, he managed to acquire the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon in 1803. 

These most influential U.S. presidents contributed a distinctive combination of long political careers and accomplishments that impacted not only the nation but also the world. 

Editor’s Choice: 10 U.S. Presidents Without College Degrees: From Washington to Truman

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