Kulick,+Dustin

How did American foreign policy shift during these presidents’ terms?

George W – Neutrality and Isolationism (very secluded and ‘don’t bother anyone’ style)

John Adams - Believed “government should be chosen to attain the desired ends, which are the happiness and virtue of the greatest number of people” (Get it done and make the people happy)

Thomas Jefferson- Very “get stuff done” kinda guy. Ex. He started the battles with the Barbary pirates and the Embargo Act to fix issues… (Quite similar to J. Adams)

James Madison- Trys to avoid problems. He initially tried to go around the War of 1812, but once it started, he was 100% ready

James Monroe- Very tough and determined. He refused to be the victim of future European colonization, so he passed the Monroe Doctrine. (also carried a musket ball in his shoulder during battle)

JQ Adams- 100% diplomat. In the words of Wikipedia, “ As a diplomat, Adams played an important role in negotiating many international treaties”

Andrew Jackson- Aggressive (sometimes polarizing) He took many //bold//actions such as “ he destroyed the national bank and relocated most Indian tribes.” How did the US grow during their presidencies?


 * George Washington ** - Kentucky and Tennessee


 * John Adams ** - None


 * Thomas Jefferson ** - [|Arkansas], [|Missouri] , [|Iowa] , [|Oklahoma] , [|Kansas] , and [|Nebraska] ; parts of [|Minnesota] , most of [|North Dakota] , nearly all of [|South Dakota] , northeastern [|New Mexico] , a little bit of Texas , portions of [|Montana] , [|Wyoming] , and [|Colorado] and western [|Louisiana]

[|Mississippi] – December 10, 1817 [|Illinois] – December 3, 1818 [|Alabama] – December 14, 1819 [|Maine] – March 15, 1820 [|Missouri] – August 10, 1821
 * James Madison** – None
 * James Monroe** -
 * JQ Adams** - None
 * Andrew Jackson** – None


 * What makes a successful presidency? **
 * I believe that a successful presidency is defined by many things. For example, “you got to go big or go home.” I DESPISE Washington and Madison for being so cowardly about all issues; they should have taken charge and solved it. (Like Jackson) Also, a successful presidency is defined by diplomacy. Being Jackson’s downfall, a president must be able to peacefully control situations (Ex. JQ Adams) Without this, they become a headstrong train wreck. Finally, a great presidency requires a political background. all of the first seven presidents had a STRONG political background, leaving them prepared for taxing situations. In conclusion, a successful presidency is defined by Boldness, Diplomacy, and Political Background. **

Which of our first 7 presidents would you consider the most successful and why? Based SOLELY on facts, I would have to say Thomas Jefferson. He had the absolute most issues to handle, including, The Barbary Pirates and The Embargo Act. Also, Jefferson executed the Louisiana Purchase, nabbing the US a monumental slice of land. No other president had done the before. In summary, Jefferson was the most successful president because of his superior multi-tasking and just great luck.

What differences existed between these presidents in how they handled the complicated political issues at home? Not much, most presidents kept politics away from their home lives. However, scandals did follow some presidents. For example, Andrew Jackson had an illegitimate marriage to Rachel Donelson Robards (divorce complications) Also, James Madison’s wife Dolly and the famous White House Arsony. In conclusion, the majority of the first seven presidents kept politics separate from home, but some politics followed them.