Americas Greatest Democratic Presidents of the 20th Century

Americas Greatest Democratic Presidents of the 20th Century PDF Author: Charles River Editors
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781978287501
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 446

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Book Description
*Weaves the lives and presidencies of all 6 Democratic Presidents into one entertaining and educational narrative. *Includes dozens of pictures of the presidents and important people, places, and events in their lives. *Analyzes the legacies and accomplishments of each president. The Democrats who were elected president in the 20th century were responsible for a seemingly never ending list of accomplishments. Woodrow Wilson established the blueprint for the progressive presidents that would follow him, particularly Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson, while guiding the nation through World War I. FDR expanded that vision with his New Deal, completely revolutionizing the social contract between Americans and their federal government. While combating the Great Depression and the Axis powers in World War II, FDR has widely been considered one of the greatest presidents in history. When Roosevelt died in April 1945, Vice President Truman, somewhat unprepared for the Presidency, now had to fill some of the biggest shoes in American history. The new president had to usher America through victory in Europe in his first month and decide to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki a few months later, but the end of World War II produced only the first of many consequential decisions Truman would face during his nearly 8 years in office. As president, Truman would lay the groundwork for the next 50 years of American foreign policy, as the architect of Cold War containment, the man who signed off on the Marshall Plan, and the commander-in-chief during much of the Korean War. In many ways, John Fitzgerald Kennedy and his young family were the perfect embodiment of the '60s. The decade began with a sense of idealism, personified by the attractive Kennedy, his beautiful and fashionable wife Jackie, and his young children. Months into his presidency, Kennedy exhorted the country to reach for the stars, calling upon the nation to send a man to the Moon and back by the end of the decade. In 1961, Kennedy made it seem like anything was possible, and Americans were eager to believe him. The Kennedy years were fondly and famously labeled "Camelot," by Jackie herself, suggesting an almost mythical quality about the young President and his family. While Kennedy represented lofty ideals, it was LBJ who got in the weeds and made things happen. . To the surprise of many, the Southern Democrat relied on his wealth of Senate experience and dogged determination to help push through an ambitious and progressive social agenda that formed the backbone of modern American society. Known as the Great Society, President Johnson's legislation included the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as the establishment of Medicare, Medicaid, environmental protection, and the "War on Poverty." Everything from the National Endowment for the Arts to the Environmental Protection Agency has its roots in Johnson's presidency. The most popular Democrat alive today is "The Comeback Kid," Bill Clinton.Widely hailed as the greatest politician of his era, Clinton proved to be his own worst enemy, creating unnecessary scandals through his womanizing. Clinton was one of the first politicians to truly connect with young adults, yet in the process he provided ludicrous soundbytes like "I did not inhale." Long considered the Democratic Party's greatest spokesman and surrogate, Clinton's presidency was defined by centrist "triangulation." And though he is still publicly popular and considered a great president, Clinton became just the second president to be impeached in the House of Representatives. America's Greatest Democratic Presidents of the 20th Century looks at the lives and presidencies of these historic men and analyzes their legacies. Along with pictures and a Table of Contents, you will learn about them like you never have before.

Americas Greatest Democratic Presidents of the 20th Century

Americas Greatest Democratic Presidents of the 20th Century PDF Author: Charles River Editors
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781978287501
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 446

Get Book Here

Book Description
*Weaves the lives and presidencies of all 6 Democratic Presidents into one entertaining and educational narrative. *Includes dozens of pictures of the presidents and important people, places, and events in their lives. *Analyzes the legacies and accomplishments of each president. The Democrats who were elected president in the 20th century were responsible for a seemingly never ending list of accomplishments. Woodrow Wilson established the blueprint for the progressive presidents that would follow him, particularly Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson, while guiding the nation through World War I. FDR expanded that vision with his New Deal, completely revolutionizing the social contract between Americans and their federal government. While combating the Great Depression and the Axis powers in World War II, FDR has widely been considered one of the greatest presidents in history. When Roosevelt died in April 1945, Vice President Truman, somewhat unprepared for the Presidency, now had to fill some of the biggest shoes in American history. The new president had to usher America through victory in Europe in his first month and decide to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki a few months later, but the end of World War II produced only the first of many consequential decisions Truman would face during his nearly 8 years in office. As president, Truman would lay the groundwork for the next 50 years of American foreign policy, as the architect of Cold War containment, the man who signed off on the Marshall Plan, and the commander-in-chief during much of the Korean War. In many ways, John Fitzgerald Kennedy and his young family were the perfect embodiment of the '60s. The decade began with a sense of idealism, personified by the attractive Kennedy, his beautiful and fashionable wife Jackie, and his young children. Months into his presidency, Kennedy exhorted the country to reach for the stars, calling upon the nation to send a man to the Moon and back by the end of the decade. In 1961, Kennedy made it seem like anything was possible, and Americans were eager to believe him. The Kennedy years were fondly and famously labeled "Camelot," by Jackie herself, suggesting an almost mythical quality about the young President and his family. While Kennedy represented lofty ideals, it was LBJ who got in the weeds and made things happen. . To the surprise of many, the Southern Democrat relied on his wealth of Senate experience and dogged determination to help push through an ambitious and progressive social agenda that formed the backbone of modern American society. Known as the Great Society, President Johnson's legislation included the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as the establishment of Medicare, Medicaid, environmental protection, and the "War on Poverty." Everything from the National Endowment for the Arts to the Environmental Protection Agency has its roots in Johnson's presidency. The most popular Democrat alive today is "The Comeback Kid," Bill Clinton.Widely hailed as the greatest politician of his era, Clinton proved to be his own worst enemy, creating unnecessary scandals through his womanizing. Clinton was one of the first politicians to truly connect with young adults, yet in the process he provided ludicrous soundbytes like "I did not inhale." Long considered the Democratic Party's greatest spokesman and surrogate, Clinton's presidency was defined by centrist "triangulation." And though he is still publicly popular and considered a great president, Clinton became just the second president to be impeached in the House of Representatives. America's Greatest Democratic Presidents of the 20th Century looks at the lives and presidencies of these historic men and analyzes their legacies. Along with pictures and a Table of Contents, you will learn about them like you never have before.

America's Greatest Democratic Presidents of the 20th Century: Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and Bill Clinton

America's Greatest Democratic Presidents of the 20th Century: Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and Bill Clinton PDF Author: Charles River Charles River Editors
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781493707409
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 250

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Book Description
*Weaves the lives and presidencies of all 6 Democratic Presidents into one entertaining and educational narrative. *Includes dozens of pictures of the presidents and important people, places, and events in their lives. *Analyzes the legacies and accomplishments of each president. The Democrats who were elected president in the 20th century were responsible for a seemingly never ending list of accomplishments. Woodrow Wilson established the blueprint for the progressive presidents that would follow him, particularly Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Johnson, while guiding the nation through World War I. FDR expanded that vision with his New Deal, completely revolutionizing the social contract between Americans and their federal government. While combating the Great Depression and the Axis powers in World War II, FDR has widely been considered one of the greatest presidents in history. When Roosevelt died in April 1945, Vice President Truman, somewhat unprepared for the Presidency, now had to fill some of the biggest shoes in American history. The new president had to usher America through victory in Europe in his first month and decide to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki a few months later, but the end of World War II produced only the first of many consequential decisions Truman would face during his nearly 8 years in office. As president, Truman would lay the groundwork for the next 50 years of American foreign policy, as the architect of Cold War containment, the man who signed off on the Marshall Plan, and the commander-in-chief during much of the Korean War. In many ways, John Fitzgerald Kennedy and his young family were the perfect embodiment of the '60s. The decade began with a sense of idealism, personified by the attractive Kennedy, his beautiful and fashionable wife Jackie, and his young children. Months into his presidency, Kennedy exhorted the country to reach for the stars, calling upon the nation to send a man to the Moon and back by the end of the decade. In 1961, Kennedy made it seem like anything was possible, and Americans were eager to believe him. The Kennedy years were fondly and famously labeled "Camelot," by Jackie herself, suggesting an almost mythical quality about the young President and his family. While Kennedy represented lofty ideals, it was LBJ who got in the weeds and made things happen. . To the surprise of many, the Southern Democrat relied on his wealth of Senate experience and dogged determination to help push through an ambitious and progressive social agenda that formed the backbone of modern American society. Known as the Great Society, President Johnson's legislation included the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as the establishment of Medicare, Medicaid, environmental protection, and the "War on Poverty." Everything from the National Endowment for the Arts to the Environmental Protection Agency has its roots in Johnson's presidency. The most popular Democrat alive today is "The Comeback Kid", Bill Clinton.Widely hailed as the greatest politician of his era, Clinton proved to be his own worst enemy, creating unnecessary scandals through his womanizing. Clinton was one of the first politicians to truly connect with young adults, yet in the process he provided ludicrous soundbytes like "I did not inhale." Long considered the Democratic Party's greatest spokesman and surrogate, Clinton's presidency was defined by centrist "triangulation". And though he is still publicly popular and considered a great president, Clinton became just the second president to be impeached in the House of Representatives. America's Greatest Democratic Presidents of the 20th Century looks at the lives and presidencies of these historic men and analyzes their legacies. Along with pictures and a Table of Contents, you will learn about them like you never have before.

America's Greatest 20th Century Presidents

America's Greatest 20th Century Presidents PDF Author: Charles River Charles River Editors
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781492925798
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 238

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Book Description
*Includes dozens of pictures of the presidents and important people, places, and events in their lives. *Includes an original introduction for each president. *Includes bibliographies for further reading. If the 19th century was about America overcoming its own divisions to takes its place at the forefront of global affairs, the 20th century was about fulfilling those visions and goals. To get there, the nation needed the leadership of presidents of different stripes and ideologies to guide the United States toward its destiny. When McKinley was assassinated in 1901, young Theodore Roosevelt was thrust into the presidency, one that would earn him a place on Mount Rushmore, Roosevelt's "Square Deal" domestic policies favored average citizens while busting trusts and monopolies. Roosevelt also promoted conservation as an environmental stance, while his "speak softly and carry a big stick" foreign policy is still an oft used phrase today. Roosevelt even earned a Nobel Prize during his presidency. By the time Roosevelt died in 1919, he was an American icon. Franklin Delano Roosevelt might be America's greatest 20th century president, but there's no question that he was the most unique. A well-connected relative of Theodore Roosevelt, FDR was groomed for greatness until he was struck down by polio. Nevertheless, he persevered, rising through New York politics to reach the White House just as the country faced its greatest challenge since the Civil War. When President Franklin Roosevelt died in April 1945, Vice President Truman had to usher America through victory in Europe in his first month and decide to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki a few months later, but the end of World War II produced only the first of many consequential decisions Truman would face during his nearly 8 years in office. As president, Truman would lay the groundwork for the next 50 years of American foreign policy, as the architect of Cold War containment, the man who signed off on the Marshall Plan, and the commander-in-chief during much of the Korean War. During the middle of the 20th century, the United States completed its transformation into one of the world's superpowers, and few were as instrumental in this development as Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969), renowned for being the nation's principal commanding general during World War II and the president who served during the early, tumultuous Cold War years. Despite being one of America's oldest presidents, Eisenhower redefined the public relations nature of the office, in addition to positioning America during the Cold War standoff with the Soviet Union. In many ways, John Fitzgerald Kennedy and his young family were the perfect embodiment of the '60s. In 1961, Kennedy made it seem like anything was possible, and Americans were eager to believe him. The Kennedy years were fondly and famously labeled "Camelot," by Jackie herself, suggesting an almost mythical quality about the young President and his family. In the famous movie Back to the Future, Marty McFly travels back to 1955, and, in an attempt to convince his friend Doc Brown that he is from 1985, tells the 1955 version of Doc Brown that Ronald Reagan is president. Doc looks at him incredulously and laughs, chortling, "Ronald Reagan? The actor?" In a story that could have come straight out of Hollywood, the golden actor rose through California politics to become California governor and eventually the 40th President. Widely hailed as the greatest politician of his era, Bill Clinton proved to be his own worst enemy, creating unnecessary scandals through his womanizing. Long considered the Democratic Party's greatest spokesman and surrogate, Clinton's presidency was defined by centrist "triangulation." And though he is still publicly popular and considered a great president, Clinton became just the second president to be impeached.

America's Greatest 20th Century Presidents: the Lives of Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton

America's Greatest 20th Century Presidents: the Lives of Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton PDF Author: Charles River Charles River Editors
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781986038355
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 470

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Book Description
*Includes dozens of pictures of the presidents and important people, places, and events in their lives. *Includes an original introduction for each president. *Includes bibliographies for further reading. If the 19th century was about America overcoming its own divisions to takes its place at the forefront of global affairs, the 20th century was about fulfilling those visions and goals. To get there, the nation needed the leadership of presidents of different stripes and ideologies to guide the United States toward its destiny. When McKinley was assassinated in 1901, young Theodore Roosevelt was thrust into the presidency, one that would earn him a place on Mount Rushmore, Roosevelt's "Square Deal" domestic policies favored average citizens while busting trusts and monopolies. Roosevelt also promoted conservation as an environmental stance, while his "speak softly and carry a big stick" foreign policy is still an oft used phrase today. Roosevelt even earned a Nobel Prize during his presidency. By the time Roosevelt died in 1919, he was an American icon. Franklin Delano Roosevelt might be America's greatest 20th century president, but there's no question that he was the most unique. A well-connected relative of Theodore Roosevelt, FDR was groomed for greatness until he was struck down by polio. Nevertheless, he persevered, rising through New York politics to reach the White House just as the country faced its greatest challenge since the Civil War. When President Franklin Roosevelt died in April 1945, Vice President Truman had to usher America through victory in Europe in his first month and decide to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki a few months later, but the end of World War II produced only the first of many consequential decisions Truman would face during his nearly 8 years in office. As president, Truman would lay the groundwork for the next 50 years of American foreign policy, as the architect of Cold War containment, the man who signed off on the Marshall Plan, and the commander-in-chief during much of the Korean War. During the middle of the 20th century, the United States completed its transformation into one of the world's superpowers, and few were as instrumental in this development as Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969), renowned for being the nation's principal commanding general during World War II and the president who served during the early, tumultuous Cold War years. Despite being one of America's oldest presidents, Eisenhower redefined the public relations nature of the office, in addition to positioning America during the Cold War standoff with the Soviet Union. In many ways, John Fitzgerald Kennedy and his young family were the perfect embodiment of the '60s. In 1961, Kennedy made it seem like anything was possible, and Americans were eager to believe him. The Kennedy years were fondly and famously labeled "Camelot," by Jackie herself, suggesting an almost mythical quality about the young President and his family. In the famous movie Back to the Future, Marty McFly travels back to 1955, and, in an attempt to convince his friend Doc Brown that he is from 1985, tells the 1955 version of Doc Brown that Ronald Reagan is president. Doc looks at him incredulously and laughs, chortling, "Ronald Reagan? The actor?" In a story that could have come straight out of Hollywood, the golden actor rose through California politics to become California governor and eventually the 40th President. Widely hailed as the greatest politician of his era, Bill Clinton proved to be his own worst enemy, creating unnecessary scandals through his womanizing. Long considered the Democratic Party's greatest spokesman and surrogate, Clinton's presidency was defined by centrist "triangulation". And though he is still publicly popular and considered a great president, Clinton became just the second president to be impeached.

Woodrow Wilson

Woodrow Wilson PDF Author: H. W. Brands
Publisher: Macmillan
ISBN: 9781429997409
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 192

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Book Description
A comprehensive account of the rise and fall of one of the major shapers of American foreign policy On the eve of his inauguration as President, Woodrow Wilson commented, "It would be the irony of fate if my administration had to deal chiefly with foreign affairs." As America was drawn into the Great War in Europe, Wilson used his scholarship, his principles, and the political savvy of his advisers to overcome his ignorance of world affairs and lead the country out of isolationism. The product of his efforts—his vision of the United States as a nation uniquely suited for moral leadership by virtue of its democratic tradition—is a view of foreign policy that is still in place today. Acclaimed historian and Pulitzer Prize finalist H. W. Brands offers a clear, well-informed, and timely account of Wilson's unusual route to the White House, his campaign against corporate interests, his struggles with rivals at home and allies abroad, and his decline in popularity and health following the rejection by Congress of his League of Nations. Wilson emerges as a fascinating man of great oratorical power, depth of thought, and purity of intention.

The Top 5 Greatest Presidents

The Top 5 Greatest Presidents PDF Author: Charles River Charles River Editors
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781985829015
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 272

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Book Description
*Includes pictures. *Includes bibliographies. The Founding Fathers have held a special place in American society since the nation gained its freedom, and many of them had become national heroes even before then. Over 200 years later, Americans still look with reverence to these men, often debating with each other what the Founding Fathers would think about a certain issue, or how they would judge a certain law or legislation. In many respects, these men have become icons, whose words, thoughts and deeds are rarely questioned. Every American is taught a pristine narrative of the life and legacy of George Washington and can easily recite the highlights and myths of Washington's life. Washington's Secretary of State and the 3rd president, Thomas Jefferson was instrumental in authoring the Declaration of Independence, laying out the ideological groundwork of the notion of states' rights, leading one of the first political parties, and overseeing the expansion of the United States during his presidency. Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) is one of the most famous Americans in history and one of the country's most revered presidents. Schoolchildren can recite the life story of Lincoln, the "Westerner" who educated himself and became a self made man, rising from lawyer to leader of the new Republican Party before becoming the 16th President of the United States. Lincoln successfully navigated the Union through the Civil War but didn't live to witness his crowning achievement, becoming the first president assassinated when he was shot at Ford's Theater by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865. When McKinley was assassinated in 1901, young Teddy Roosevelt was thrust into the presidency. Roosevelt's "Square Deal" domestic policies favored average citizens while busting trusts and monopolies. Teddy also promoted conservation as an environmental stance, while his "speak softly and carry a big stick" foreign policy is still an oft used phrase today. Teddy even earned a Nobel Prize during his presidency. Teddy is on Mount Rushmore and might be America's greatest 20th century president, but if he's not it might be because of his own relative. Whether Franklin Delano Roosevelt was America's greatest 20th century president or not, there's no question that he was the most unique. A well-connected relative of Theodore Roosevelt, FDR was groomed for greatness until he was struck down by what was widely believed to be polio at the time. Nevertheless, he persevered, rising through New York politics to reach the White House just as the country faced its greatest challenge since the Civil War, beginning his presidency with one of the most iconic lines ever spoken during an inaugural address. For over a decade, President Roosevelt threw everything he had at the Great Depression, and then threw everything the country had at the Axis powers during World War II. Ultimately, he succumbed to illness in the middle of his fourth term, just before the Allies won the war.

America's Ten Greatest Presidents

America's Ten Greatest Presidents PDF Author: Morton Borden
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Presidents
Languages : en
Pages : 284

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Book Description


America's Greatest Cold War Presidents

America's Greatest Cold War Presidents PDF Author: Charles River Editors
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781493649662
Category : Cold War
Languages : en
Pages : 230

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Book Description
*Comprehensively covers the lives, careers and legacies of the 5 Presidents. *Includes pictures of important people, places, and events. *Includes Bibliographies for further reading. Among America's presidents, Harry Truman's presidency produced some of the nation's most crucial decisions and left one of the nation's most unique legacies. The new president had to usher America through victory in Europe in his first month and decide to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki a few months later, but the end of World War II produced only the first of many consequential decisions Truman would face during his nearly 8 years in office. As president, Truman would lay the groundwork for the next 50 years of American foreign policy, as the architect of Cold War containment, the man who signed off on the Marshall Plan, and the commander-in-chief during much of the Korean War. Despite being one of America's oldest presidents, Eisenhower redefined the public relations nature of the office, in addition to positioning America during the Cold War standoff with the Soviet Union. But Eisenhower's most lasting contribution as president was the construction of the interstate highway system, and it was in the final year of his presidency that his administration planned and implemented the Apollo space program that would land men on the Moon in 1969. By the time he died in 1969, President Nixon aptly described Eisenhower as "the world's most admired and respected man, truly the first citizen of the world." In many ways, John Fitzgerald Kennedy and his young family were the perfect embodiment of the '60s. The decade began with a sense of idealism, personified by the attractive Kennedy, his beautiful and fashionable wife Jackie, and his young children. Months into his presidency, Kennedy exhorted the country to reach for the stars, calling upon the nation to send a man to the Moon and back by the end of the decade. In 1961, Kennedy made it seem like anything was possible, and Americans were eager to believe him. The Kennedy years were fondly and famously labeled "Camelot," by Jackie herself, suggesting an almost mythical quality about the young President and his family. Of all the politicians who have left their mark on American history, few have had a political career or list of accomplishments and accolades that can even come close to rivaling Lyndon B. Johnson. Johnson is one of only 4 Americans to serve as a House Rep, U.S. Senator, Vice President and President, and he made the most out of each experience. The hard-nosed Texas Democrat became one of the legendary strongmen in the Senate, mastering that political body from 1949-1961 and spending six years as Senate Majority Leader, two as Senate Minority Leader, and two as Senate Majority Whip. The 70] year old former actor Ronald Reagan went on to have one of the most consequential presidencies of the 20th century, unquestionably making him one of the most influential men of the last 50 years. And his name is still as relevant in American politics today, with every politician with an R next to his or her name trying to claim Ronald Reagan's conservative mantle. In the Republican presidential nomination debates in 2011, Reagan's name was invoked an average of over 5 times per debate, more than every other president combined. Meanwhile, Americans of all stripes continue to debate the merits of "Reaganomics" more than 30 years after Reagan was elected. America's Greatest Cold War Presidents looks at the lives and presidencies of each of the Cold War presidents, their Cold War policies, and their enduring legacies. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about Truman, Ike, JFK, LBJ and Reagan like you never have before.

The Greatest American Presidents of the Twentieth Century and the Worst

The Greatest American Presidents of the Twentieth Century and the Worst PDF Author: Maxwell Kent
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 408

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Book Description


The Progressive Presidents

The Progressive Presidents PDF Author: Charles River Charles River Editors
Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN: 9781493654819
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 166

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Book Description
*Weaves the lives of the 4 progressive presidents into one entertaining and educational narrative. *Includes pictures of the presidents and important people, places, and events in their lives. *Includes some of the presidents' most colorful quotes. *Includes a Bibliography for further reading. When President McKinley was assassinated in 1901, young Vice President Theodore Roosevelt was thrust into the presidency, one that would earn him a place on Mount Rushmore, Roosevelt's "Square Deal" domestic policies favored average citizens while busting trusts and monopolies. Roosevelt also promoted conservation as an environmental stance, while his "speak softly and carry a big stick" foreign policy is still an oft used phrase today. Roosevelt even earned a Nobel Prize during his presidency. By the time Roosevelt died in 1919, he was an American icon. As one of the most influential men of the 20th century, there is no shortage of adjectives to use when describing Woodrow Wilson's two terms as president of the United States. Wilson was a pioneer of the Progressive movement both before and during his presidency, becoming a populist champion a generation before Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal. He ran for reelection by touting his neutrality during World War I, only to lead his nation into the war and become the architect of a world body that would lead to greater inter-connection among nations. Today Wilson is best remembered for his Fourteen Points, one of the most forceful arguments for an idealistic foreign policy in American history, and his fight for the League of Nations, which set the model for today's United Nations. Franklin Delano Roosevelt might be America's greatest 20th century president, but there's no question that he was the most unique. A well-connected relative of Theodore Roosevelt, FDR was groomed for greatness until he was struck down by what was widely believed to be polio at the time. Nevertheless, he persevered, rising through New York politics to reach the White House just as the country faced its greatest challenge since the Civil War, beginning his presidency with one of the most iconic lines ever spoken during an inaugural address. For over a decade, President Roosevelt threw everything he had at the Great Depression, and then threw everything the country had at the Axis powers during World War II. Ultimately, he succumbed to illness in the middle of his fourth term, just before the Allies won the war. Kennedy has been nostalgically and fondly remembered for his youth, vigor and sense of unfinished potential, but it would be President Johnson who would bring much of the agenda to fruition. To the surprise of many, the Southern Democrat relied on his wealth of Senate experience and dogged determination to help push through an ambitious and progressive social agenda that formed the backbone of modern American society. Known as the Great Society, President Johnson's legislation included the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as the establishment of Medicare, Medicaid, environmental protection, and the "War on Poverty." Everything from the National Endowment for the Arts to the Environmental Protection Agency has its roots in Johnson's presidency. Had Johnson's presidency included just his domestic agenda, he would have unquestionably been one of America's greatest presidents. Unfortunately, as he was engineering a new social contract at home, he was ramping up American military participation in a tiny country thousands of miles away in Southeast Asia. The Progressive Presidents chronicles the lives of each president and weaves their stories and accomplishments into one entertaining narrative, examining their records and analyzing their legacies. Along with pictures of important people, places, and events, you will learn about America's most important progressive presidents like you never have before.