General Discussion

Donald Ian Rankin

(13,598 posts) Fri Sep 11, 2015, 05:52 PM Sep 2015

What do you make of the "era of bad presidents" from 1837 to 1885?

Idle musing on American political history, inspired by browsing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_rankings_of_Presidents_of_the_United_States

The first 7 presidents of the USA, from 1789 to 1837, all appear to be moderately well-thought-of (possibly because they're thought of as "founding fathers"?), and many of them served for 8 years.

But between 1837 and 1885, America got through 14 presidents, all but two of whom (Polk, Lincoln) are consistently ranked extremely poorly nowadays, and all but one of whom (Grant) failed to win reelection, possibly implying that their contemporaries thought poorly of them to (or possibly not, that's just me speculating).

After that era, we start seeing both popular presidents and reelecteed presidents again more frequently.

Thoughts?

2 replies

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What do you make of the "era of bad presidents" from 1837 to 1885? (Original Post) Donald Ian Rankin Sep 2015 OP

Pre-Civil Wat through to the beginning of the Progressive Era. JDPriestly Sep 2015 #1

Also, generally a period Seeking Serenity Sep 2015 #2

JDPriestly

(57,936 posts)

1. Pre-Civil Wat through to the beginning of the Progressive Era.

Reply to Donald Ian Rankin (Original post)

Fri Sep 11, 2015, 06:58 PM

Sep 2015

Those presidents had to deal with the fight over slavery and its aftermath.

That's just one reason, but I think it is important.

Times of great technological progress and change.

Seeking Serenity

(2,840 posts)

2. Also, generally a period

Reply to Donald Ian Rankin (Original post)

Fri Sep 11, 2015, 07:14 PM

Sep 2015

Of a strong legislative branch and a relatively weak executive.

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