Part 2

Starting with Known Quantities: Washington to John Quincy Adams

IN THIS PART …

Check out how George Washington became our first and one of our best presidents. I look at his administration and the important precedents he set for generations to come.

Examine the presidency of John Adams and his attempt to curtail basic freedoms, such as freedom of speech.

Successor to the rescue! Not only did Thomas Jefferson double the size of the country with the Louisiana Purchase, but he proved to be a president of the people, restoring many rights taken away by Adams.

Look at Jefferson’s unsuccessful successors, James Madison and James Monroe. James Madison, one of our founding fathers and author of the Bill of Rights, almost destroyed the country he helped to create in the War of 1812. James Monroe was a great foreign policy leader, adding Florida to the United States, but he allowed Congress to run the show on domestic issues.

See the only president elected by the House of Representatives: John Quincy Adams closes out the part. A great human being and superior congressman and diplomat, he suffered one of the worst presidencies to date.