American Presidents Fdr, Truman, Eisenhower, Jfk

When we analyze Presidents of the past and ask who are the most famous, or who did the best job while in their terms many tend to choose some of the much older Presidents. Many immediately refer to Presidents like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, however in today’s world is it fair to say that these Presidents would have done the same under the pressure of some of our modern day Presidents? While we may never know the answer to such a question is important to honor some of the great Presidents of the 20th century. When we honor the Presidents of the 20th century it is important to look at all of the achievements that these Presidents both foreign and domestic. When we speak of some of the great Presidents of the 20th century when easily refer to the likes of Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, and John F. Kennedy. It is these four presidents that have changed not only the United States but the world in their efforts as President of the United States. First we look at Franklin D. Roosevelt, it is thought that FDR is the most influential President of the 20th century. FDR came from a wealthy family in New York that held him high standards. He was the only child of James and Sara Roosevelt that instilled in him the ideals of gentlemanly conduct and civic responsibility. (Greenstein, 13) Although Franklin’s father passed away when he was in his first year at Harvard; and from that point on his became the focal point in his life. Sara was very much in control of the things that Franklin did including his finances well into his married life. However, it was another member of Franklin’s life that propelled him into doing his best in life, it was his fifth cousin Theodore Roosevelt. It was TR’s political career that that Franklin tried to model his own political career afterwards. First he was to strive to be governor of New York, then as the United States came upon its worst financial crisis since the founding, FDR then

Cited: Greenstein, Fred I. The Presidential Difference - Leadership Style from Fdr to George W. Bush. New York: Princeton UP, 2004. Leuchtenburg, William E. In the Shadow of FDR : From Harry Truman to George W. Bush. New York: Cornell UP, 2001. Roosevelt, Franklin D. "FireSide Chat." White House, Washington D.C. 7 May 1933.