Топик: Институт президенства в США
John F. Kennedy presided over the execlusive branch of the United States government for only a little more than 1,000 days. During that time American involvement in Vietnam and other areas of Southeast Asia increased moderately, but the beginnings of a thaw in the cold war were also noticeable, and in 1963 the. Soviet Union and the United States signed the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Kennedy's years in the White House were also marked by increased social consciousness by the US government. With the Great Society program of his successor, Lyndon Baines Johnson, Congress eventually enacted a number of Kennedy's proposals, including medical care for the elderly and greater opportunities for black Americans.
In addition to his various governmental programs, Kennedy's presidency was also no_table for a new, vital style. John and Jacqueline Kennedy and their two children, Caroline and John Jr., quickly captured the imagination of the nation, and their activities were widely reported by the media. Cer_tainly the Kennedys exuded a youthful vi-brance, and their interests seemed unending. Jacqueline Kennedy was responsible for redecorating the public rooms of the White House and inviting a glittering array of cul_tural and intellectual leaders to the executive mansion.
An assassin's bullet abruptly ended the life of John Fitzgerald Kennedy on Novem_ber 22,1963, as he rode in a motorcade through the streets of Dallas, Texas. The entire nation mourned the tragic death of the Chief Executive. Many millions watched on television as the 35th President was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on November 25, 1963.
Every state of the United States and almost every nation in the world has erected memorials to Kennedy. One of the monu_ments dearest to his family is the house at 83 Seals Street in Brookline, Massachusetts, where the late President's parents lived from 1914 until 1921 and where four of their chil_dren - including John - were bom. The house was repurchased by the Kennedys in 1966 and was designated a National Historic Site by Congress in 1967. On May 29, 1969, the 52nd anniversary of John F. Kennedy's birth, the family turned over the deed of the house to the National Park Service.
Both of President Kennedy's younger brothers, Robert F. and Edward M. Kennedy, served in the Senate. Many of the former President's compatriots hoped to see his goals and promise carried forward when Robert Kennedy, who had served as his at_torney general and closest adviser, an_nounced early in 1968 that he would seek the Democratic nomination for President. In another tragedy that shook the nation to its roots, Robert Kennedy was shot down by an assassin just after claiming victory in the California presidential primary. He died in Los Angeles just over 25 hours later, on June 6,1968.
Presidents at a Glance
NAME | SERVED | ACHIEVEMENTS |
| 1. George Washington | 1789-1797 |
The first President, he determined in large measure what the job of President should be. Held the country together during its early days and gave it a chance to grow. Ranked by historians as a "great" President. |
| 2. John Adams | 1797-1801 |
Saved his country from an unnecessary war. Ranked by historians as a "near great" President. |
| 3. Thomas Jefferson | 1801-1809 |
Bought the Louisiana Territory and doubled the size of the country. Made sure the government stayed in the hands of the people. Ranked by historians as a "great" or "near great" President. |
| 4. James Madison | 1809-1817 |
Allowed the country to get into unnecessary war, but made peace as quickly as possible. Ranked by historians as an "average" President. |
| 5. James Monroe | 1817-1825 |
Took Florida from Spain. Created the Monroe Doctrine. Signed the Missouri Compromise. Ranked as one of the best of the "average" President. |
| 6. John Quincy Adams | 1825—1829 |
Rated by some historians as a failure because little was done during his term. Some historians rank him as "average". |
| 7. Andrew Jackson | 1829-1837 |
Did more to show how great the powers of the office were than any President after Washington. Used these powers to help make laws. Ranked by historians as a "great" or "near great" President. |
| 8. Martin Van Buren | 1837-1841 |
Was caught in one of the nation's worst financial depressions. This was unfairly blamed on him. Ranked by historians as an "average" President. |
| 9. William Henry Harrison | 1841 |
Was President for only one month. |
| 10. John Tyler | 1841-1845 |
Made clear that on the death a President the Vice President became President with all the powers of the office. Served as a President without a party. Ranked by most historians as "below average". |
| 11 .James Knox Polk | 1845-1849 |
Bullied a small, weak nation (Mexico) into fighting a war it did not want, but added California and much of the South-west to the United States. Settled the Canadian border without war. Ranked by historians as a "near great" President. |
| 12. Zachary Taylor | 1849-1850 |
Knew little about the duties of a President but faced his problems honestly though with little political talent. Served only two years. Ranked by many historians as "below average." |
| 13. Millard Fillmore | 1850-1853 |
Sent the U. S. fleet to open trade with Japan. Helped pass the Great Compromise of 1850. Ranked by historians as "below average." |
| 14. Franklin Pierce | 1853-1857 |
Put through the Gadsden Purchase acquiring what is now southern Arizona and New Mexico. Favored the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which opened the door to the Civil War. Ranked by historians as "below average." |
| 15. James Buchanan | 1857-1861 |
Faced the final breakup of the nation over slavery. Tried hard to prevent war but made matters worse instead of better. Ranked by historians as "below average." |
| 16. Abraham Lincoln | 1861-1865 |
Held the nation together in its most difficult time. In a speech at the Gettysburg battlefield he said it was the people's duty to make sure "that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." More than any other one man, he helped make these words come true. Ranked by historians as a truly "great" President. |
| 17. Andrew Johnson | 1865-1869 |
Took office in a. time of great trouble. Fought for what he believed was right, but did not have the power to persuade and lead men. Was impeached by Congress and came within one vote of being removed from office. Ranked by historians from "near great" to "below average." |
| 18. Ulysses Simpson Grant | 1869-1877 |
Was personally honest, but many of the men around him were crooks. His administration was one of the most dishonest in American history. One of the three Presidents rated as a "failure". |
| 19. Ruthertord Birchard Hayes | 1877-1881 |
Ended the period of Reconstruction. Tried to reform the federal government after the Grant administration. Tried to improve the civil service system, but met with little success. Ranked by historians as "average." |
| 20. James Abram Garfield | 1881 |
Was killed only a few months after taking office. Yet his death may have done more to improve honesty in government than he could have done had he lived. |
| 21. Chester Alan Arthur | 1881-1885 |
Helped pass the first effective civil service laws and administered them honestly. Helped develop a modern navy. Ranked by historians as "average." |
| 22 and 24. Grover Cleveland | 1885-1889 and 1893-1897 |
Made needed reforms in the federal government. Helped restore the confidence of the people in their government. His intentions were always good, but his methods sometimes failed. Ranked by historians as a "near great" President. |
| 23. Benjamin Harrison | 1889-1893 |
Favored a strong foreign policy. Enlarged the navy. Wanted a better civil service, but Congress continually opposed him. Ranked by historians as "average." |
| 25. William McKinley | 1897-1901 |
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