Who were the first 10 presidents of the us

The Gilbert Stuart Williamstown portrait of George Washington (Public Domain)

After the Declaration of Independence in 1776, thirteen British colonies emerged to form a new nation. From the role’s creation in 1789 by its Founding Fathers until the eve of the Civil War, America saw 15 Presidents – each of whom helped shape the country’s history and define the presidential role.

Here are America’s first 15 Presidents in order:

1. George Washington (President from 1789-1797)

Washington became a national hero after commanding the Continental Army and leading it to victory over the British during the American Revolution (1775-1783).

After presiding over the convention that drafted the US Constitution, Washington was unanimously elected President – astutely aware of the precedent he’d set.

George. Where did it all go wrong? George Washington could have had a comfortable career as a loyal member of HIs Majesty's Virginia militia and colonial grandee. But no, he had to go and roll the dice. I am thrilled in this episode to be talking to historian Alexis Coe about her new biography of Washington. She has a fresh take on the first President, but no less scholarly for that.

2. John Adams (1797-1801)

John Adams’s presidency was largely taken up with foreign affairs as Britain and France were at war, which directly affected American trade.

3. Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809)

Thomas Jefferson was America’s first Secretary of State and the primary author of the Declaration of Independence (1776).

As President, Jefferson stabilised the US economy and successfully brokered the Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803, buying 800,000 square miles for $15 million, which doubled the size of the US.

Depiction of the territory gained in the Louisiana purchase. Credit: Frank Bond / Commons.

4. James Madison (1809-1817)

James Madison co-wrote The Federalist Papers, earning him the nickname ‘Father of the Constitution’, which ratified the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

The controversial War of 1812 against Britain was fought during his presidency.

5. James Monroe (1817–1825)

James Monroe was America’s last President from its Founding Fathers, and best known for his ‘Monroe Doctrine’ opposing European colonialism in the Americas.

His first term became known as the ‘Era of Good Feelings’ following his tour of the country, his seeking to unite Republicans and Federalists in a common cause, and the beginnings of international relief.

On 13 September 1759, on the Plains of Abraham near the city of Quebec, an outnumbered British army fought a battle that would change the history of the world: the Battle of Quebec.

6. John Quincy Adams (1825-1829)

Adams was the first US President who was the son of a President. Although a highly influential diplomat, hostile opposition from the Jacksonians meant many of his initiatives were either considered overambitious, failed to pass legislation or were badly underfunded.

7. Andrew Jackson (1829-1837)

Andrew Jackson, known as the “people’s president”, was the first to wield his veto power as a matter of policy. He founded the Democratic Party, destroyed the Second Bank of the United States (which he saw as corrupt), and instituted the Indian Removal Act of 1830 which forced the migration of Native Americans.

Jackson was also the target of the first presidential assassination attempt – and the first president to ride on a train, in 1833.

Portrait of Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States. (Public Domain).

8. Martin Van Buren (1837-1841)

Martin Van Buren – the first president born as a US citizen – had been known as the ‘Little Magician’ after his reputed skill as a politician. However, his time in office was dominated by the financial panic of 1837 and resulting economic depression. His popularity further waned after he blocked the annexation of Texas.

9. William Henry Harrison (1841)

William Henry Harrison was a military officer and politician. On his 32nd day as President, he became the first to die in office after developing pneumonia, and the shortest-serving president in US history.

10. John Tyler (1841-1845)

Nicknamed ‘His Accidency’, John Tyler was the first Vice President to succeed to the Presidency after the death of his predecessor. He was also the first president to have his veto overridden by congress, and the first to marry while holding office.

After vetoing bills aimed at reestablishing a national bank, Tyler was ostracized by congressional Whigs, becoming a president without a party.

11. James K. Polk (1845-1849)

During Polk’s presidency, the annexation of Texas as a state was concluded, resulting in the Mexican-American War which caused a bitter disagreement between the North and South over the expansion of slavery. Vast territories were also acquired in the Southwest and along the Pacific coast, along with the establishment of America’s northern border.

The stress of his presidency took a toll on Polk, and he died just 3 months after leaving office.

Susan Schulten presents a selection of maps from the fascinating collection of maps that feature in her book 'A History of America in 100 Maps'.

12. Zachary Taylor (1849-1850)

Zachary Taylor had served in the US Army for nearly 40 years and was seen as a hero from the Mexican-American War.

After California’s population expanded following the Gold Rush, there was pressure to resolve the issue of its statehood. Though a slaveholder himself, Taylor’s time in the army had given him a strong sense of nationalism and he opposed the creation of new slave states. This incensed some southern leaders who threatened secession.

In early July 1850, he suddenly fell ill and died.

13. Millard Fillmore (1850-1853)

Millard Fillmore was a member of the Whig party – the last President not to be affiliated with either the Democratic or Republican parties.

Fillmore passed the Fugitive Slave Act (1850), making it a crime to support slaves trying to escape to free territories, and helped create the Compromise of 1850. Increased settlement in the west had led to clashes with Native Americans, and Fillmore approved one-sided treaties that forcibly moved them onto government reservations.

Reynolds’s Political Map of the United States 1856 (Public Domain).

14. Franklin Pierce (1853-1857)

Pierce hoped to ease North/South divisions but by signing the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which allowed settlers of a territory to decide whether slavery would be allowed within the new state’s borders, he hastened the disruption of the Union. Anger around this Act turned Kansas into a battleground for the country’s conflict over slavery, setting America on its path to civil war.

15. James Buchanan (1857-1861)

It was hoped Buchanan could avert a national crisis but his refusal to take a firm stand on either side and inability to halt southern states’ moves toward secession led to the Union breaking apart. By February 1861 seven Southern states had seceded. Civil war became increasingly inevitable.

Chris Price is an online writer and history enthusiast. He enjoys sharing what he learns with readers.

Each president in American history has had a unique impact on the nation. Here is a handy list of our first ten presidents that includes the years that they served and a few interesting facts about each of them.

Let's get started with numero uno: His Excellency, George Washington.

George Washington, Federalist, served as president from 1789-1797. President Washington, in addition to being first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen, avoided getting smallpox during the American Revolution because he got a mild case on his only trip outside the American colonies/United States. He went to Barbados with his brother early in life. Contrary to popular belief, he did not cut down his father's cherry tree.

John Adams, Federalist, served as president from 1797 to 1801. Adams was known as "His Rotundity" for his portly physique. Probably lost any chance at re-election by not going to war against France. He was the first president to live in the White House but did not stick around to see his successor inaugurated.

The Jeffersonian Virginia Dynasty

3. Thomas Jefferson, Democratic-Republican, served as president from 1801-1809. Jefferson's major achievement was the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from Napoleon. Jefferson actually felt the purchase was unconstitutional, but went through with it anyway. Almost lost his first election to his Vice Presidential candidate, Aaron Burr. Jefferson is widely believed to have fathered children by his slave, Sally Hemmings.

4. James Madison, Democratic-Republican, served as president from 1809-1817. Madison as the shortest president in history, with a height of only 5'4". He is also known as the Father of the Constitution because of his impact on this founding document.

5. James Monroe, Democratic-Republican, served as president from 1817-1825. Was the last of the Virginia Dynasty to serve as president. Came closest to George Washington's record of being elected unanimously. Only one elector refused to vote for him in 1820.

6. John Quincy Adams, Democratic-Republican, served as president from 1825-1829. Many believed that Adams only won the presidency because of a "corrupt bargain" with Speaker of the House Henry Clay. Followed his father as the second one-termer in American history. Served as a Representative for Massachusetts after leaving the White House and died on the floor of the House. Won the 1824 election, which was the first to count the popular vote in a few states.

7. Andrew Jackson, Democrat, served as president from 1829-1837. Jackson rode into Washington, DC, on a horse and left on a train. He lived an interesting life. Jackson killed a man in a duel and was the first president to survive an assassination attempt after his assailant's two handguns misfired. He was the only president to oversee the paying off of the national debt. Jackson's membership in the Masonic Lodge led to the creation of the first third party in American history.

8. Martin van Buren, Democrat, served as president from 1837-1840. Van Buren is widely acknowledged as the first political campaign strategist, who led Jackson to victory. Van Buren had the misfortune of being on the receiving end of a massive depression caused largely by his predecessor's banking policies. The depression basically covered his entire presidency, and the voters blamed him for the economic downturn after the Panic of '37.

9. William Henry Harrison, Whig, served as president for a month in 1841. Old Tippecanoe won one of the first campaigns to focus upon soundbites. The popular song Tippecanoe and Tyler Too endeared the Log Cabin Campaign into the hearts of the voters. Harrison probably accomplished the least of any president. His inaugural address was the longest, however. He gave it in a cold rain, caught a cold, and died of pneumonia about a month later. Harrison had the shortest term of any president and was the first to die in office.

10. John Tyler, Whig, served as president from 1841 to 1845. Tyler was a supporter of states' rights, which did not endear him to the Whigs, who basically kicked him out of the party. As a man without a party, Tyler was one of the most hopeless lame ducks in American history. Tyler had more children than any president in history with 15--eight with his first wife (she did NOT die in childbirth) and seven with his second. Tyler became known as "His Accidency" after taking over the duties of president after Harrison's death

Well, there are a few of the more interesting facts about our first ten presidents. The facts are by no means comprehensive, but they show that each was unique in his own way.

Who is your favorite?

Chris Price (author) from USA on July 25, 2012:

You are quite welcome, Jo. I'm glad you enjoyed the article. I plan to make it a series and talk about all of the presidents.

Jo Miller from Tennessee on July 25, 2012:

Thanks for this informative article. I started a project about a year ago to read biographies of all the Presidents I wanted to know more about. I'm still working on the list.