Presidents of the United States of America

Wayne Wheelwright

Description

The United States of America is a relatively young country but already has a distinguished history and in this time has been shaped by some great men who have had to make brave and sometimes unpopular choices for the good of the country. This book has facts on the first 25 men to serve as President of the United States. Spanning from George Washington's birth in 1732 through to William McKinley's assassination in 1901. The book contains facts on the families, life before taking office, policies, political battles and the later lives of these influential leaders.

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Informations

• Publié par: Andrews UK
• Date de parution: 24 février 2014
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781783336395
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Title Page
Presidents of the United States of America
1732 - 1901
Wayne Wheelwright



Publisher Information
Presidents of the United States of America 1732 - 1901
Published in 2014 by Andrews UK Limited
www.andrewsuk.com
This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise circulated without the publisher’s prior written consent in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published, and without a similar condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.
Copyright © 2014 Wayne Wheelwright
The right of Wayne Wheelwright to be identified as author of this book has been asserted in accordance with section 77 and 78 of the Copyrights Designs and Patents Act 1988.



George Washington George Washington was born on February 22 nd , 1732 and died on December 14, 1799. George Washington was the first President of the United States of America and was President from 1789 - 1797. George Washington presided over the the convention that was responsible for the drafting of the Constitution which replaced the Articles of Confederation and helped move the United States towards becoming the most powerful nation in the world as it stands today. George Washington served two terms in office. He remained neutral in the wars that were happening in Europe, suppressed any rebellions and was a very popular leader among all types of Americans. George Washington is often known as ‘The father of his country’ and was often called it even during his lifetime. George Washington was born in Colonial Virginia to a wealthy family that owned tobacco plantations and slaves. George Washington became a senior officer in the colonial forces during the French and Indian War and was chosen to be commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. During the American Revolution George Washington managed to force the British forces out of Boston in 1776 but lost New York City later that year and was almost captured. During the dead of winter he crossed the Delaware River in the dead of Winter with his forces and retook New jersey invigorating the cause of the Patriots. When victory had been achieved in the Revolutionary War, George Washington resigned his post as Commander-in-chief instead of seizing power setting an example of his commitment to American republicanism as opposed to a dictatorship. After being named as the first president of the United States, George Washington set to work on bringing together rival factions to unify the nation. He supported the programs of Alexander Hamilton to pay off all of the nation’s debt whilst implementing an effective system of taxation and creating a national bank despite being opposed by Thomas Jefferson. George Washington secured the Jay Treaty in 1795 despite severe opposition from Thomas Jefferson and his followers which avoided war, allowed the United States to remain neutral in the affairs of Europe and led to a decade of peace and profitable trade with Great Britain. In George Washington’s final will he granted all of his slaves freedom. The building of the Washington Monument was delayed by the Jeffersonians who continued to distrust the influence of George Washington.



John Adams John Adams was born on October 30 th , 1735 and died on July 4 th , 1826 John Adams was born in what is now known as Quincy, Massachusetts and was the oldest of three children. John Adams became the second President of the United States serving in office from 1797 - 1801 having formerly served as the first vice president of the United States for George Washington John Adams was a statesman, diplomat and one of the leading advocates of America’s independence from Great Britain Abigail Adams, the wife of John Adams was one of his key advisers and John Adams wrote many letters to her explaining his many ideas and thoughts on republicanism, a strong central government and many other subjects In the early stages of the American Revolution, John Adams was a lawyer in Boston and as a delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress he played a major role in the decision of Congress declaring independence form Great Britain. John Adams assisted Thomas Jefferson in drafting the Declaration of Independence in 1776. John Adams wrote the Massachusetts Convention and Thoughts on Government which both heavily influenced American political thinking. In 1800 John Adams was defeated in his bid for re-election by Thomas Jefferson and retired to Massachusetts. John Adams was the father of John Quincy Adams. The sixth President of the United States. John Adams was the first President to reside in the executive mansion that would come to be known as the White House.



Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13 th , 1743 and died on July 4 th , 1826 Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States and served in office from March 4, 1801 - March 4, 1809 Thomas Jefferson was born in Shadwell, Goochland County, Virginia and was the third of ten children. Thomas Jefferson was the main author of the Declaration of independence. At the beginning of the American Revolution he served as the Virginia representative in the Continental Congress. After the Revolutionary War ended Thomas Jefferson served as a United States diplomat stationed in Paris. Thomas Jefferson was the first United States Secretary of State from March 22, 1790 - December 31 st , 1793, serving under the Presidency of George Washington. Thomas Jefferson resigned form George Washington’s cabinet and formed the Democratic-Republican party with his close friend James Madison. Thomas Jefferson was elected President in what he called the ‘Revolution of 1800’. He oversaw the purchase of the Louisiana territory from France in 1803 and sent the lewis and Clark expedition to explore the new west. Thomas Jefferson was fluent in five languages and had a deep interest in many fields including science, architecture, theology and philosophy. After leaving office Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia and designed his own mansion near Charlottesville, Virginia which he named Monticello. Many modern historians believe due to DNA and other evidence that Thomas Jefferson had a relationship with his slave Sally Hemings and probably fathered one or more of her children.



James Madison James Madison, Jr. was born on March 16 th , 1751 and died on June 28 th , 1836. James Madison was the fourth President of the United States of America from March 4 th , 1809 - March 4 th 1817. James Madison was born at Belle Grove Plantation near Port Conway, Virginia and was the oldest of twelve children. James Madison is hailed as the ‘Father of the Constitution’ for his role in the drafting in the United States Constitution and as author of the United States Bill of Rights. After the constitution had been drafted Madison was instrumental in the movement to ratify it and his collaboration with Alexander hamilton and john Jay resulted in the Federalist Papers which at the time were only circulated in New York. In 1789 James Madison became one of the leaders of the new House of Representatives during which time he drafted the first ten amendments to the Constitution earning himself the moniker of the ‘Father of the Bill of Rights’. James Madison served as Thomas Jefferson’s Secretary of State from 1801 - 1809 during which time he oversaw the Louisiana purchase which doubled the size of the nation. James Madison led the United States in the War of 1812 which lasted almost three years in response to what Madison saw as British encroachment on American honor and rights. James Madison was a slaveholder and inherited his slave plantation which was known as Montpelier.



James Monroe James Monroe was born on April 28 th , 1758 and died on July 4 th , 1831. James Monroe was the fifth President of the United States and served from March 4 th , 1817 - March 4 th 1825. James Monroe was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia. James Monroe was the last President who was a Founding Father of the United States of America and became the third of them to die on Independence day after John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. He was also the last President from the Virginia dynasty. James Monroe fought in the American Revolutionary War and was injured by a musket ball to the shoulder in the Battle of Trenton. James Monroe studiied law under Thomas Jefferson from 1780 to 1783 and like many of his Presidential predecessors served as a delegate in the Continental Congress. James Monroe staunchly opposed ratification claiming that it gave to much power to the central government and in 1790 was elected to the Senate of the first United States Congress where he joined the Jeffersonians. During his time as a diplomat in France James Monroe helped negotiate the Louisiana purchase in 1803. During the War of 1812 James Monroe held both the positions of Secretary of State and Secretary of War under President James Madison. James Monroe was elected President in 1816 winning easily after receiving 80% of the electoral vote. During James Monroe’s time in office the United States extended from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and in addition to the United States acquisition of Florida also secured the border of the United States along the 42 nd Parallel to the Pacific Ocean. James Monroe supported the founding of colonies in Africa for free African Americans which