Special Sub-Topic: Schlesinger Poll of Presidential Ratings Click Here To Play: Schlesinger Poll of Presidential Ratings

According to the Schlesinger Poll, which President was ranked the highest?

Abraham Lincoln. Some historians take exception to "Honest Abe" ranking first in this poll. They point out although he did keep the country from falling apart and ended slavery, he also abused his powers as president to curtail civil liberties. For example, he suspended the writ of habeaus corpus (which guaranteed everyone the right to a speedy trial) and imprisoned 18,000 suspected Confederate sympathizers without a trial.

Who was ranked lowest on the Schlesinger Poll?

Warren Harding. Although the administration of President Harding saw some accomplishments, such as formally ending World War I by enacting several peace treaties, all of this was overshadowed by the notorious Teapot Dome scandal, in which many members of his administration accepted bribes regarding some oil reserves in Wyoming. Criminal charges were eventually filed, and it has been speculated that had not Harding died while in office, he may have been held liable as well.

President John Adams was given which rating by the Schlesinger Poll?

Near Great. Although wildly unpopular while president, time has been kind to President Adams. He was able (although just barely) to stay out of the violence between England and France. Many political leaders, such as his own Vice-President Thomas Jefferson, pressed him to take a stand, but he was determined to keep the country neutral.

How was Calvin Coolidge rated in the Schlesinger Poll?

Below Average. Although President Coolidge himself has stated that he knew a depression was coming, he preferred to do very little during his administration to stop the gross misconduct on the stock market.

Who placed second on the Schlesinger Poll?

George Washington. President Washington, who some thought ought to be finish first, placed second. Some historians thought that President Washington used unwarranted force in putting down the Whiskey Rebellion, which may have cost him top honors.

How was James Monroe ranked in the Schlesinger Poll?

Average. This surprises me a little, as the Administration of President Monroe was the "Era of Good Feelings" and the enactment of the Monroe Doctrine. I guess the Panic of 1819, which caused great financial hardship, prevented him from getting a higher rating.

Who was the first president who was in office after Lincoln to be ranked Great or Near Grant in the Schlesinger Poll?

Grover Cleveland. Another fact that surprised me a little. I imagine President Cleveland got very high marks for ending the "Spoils System," and instituting more fair ways of filling government posts.

Five presidents were ranked Great by the Schlesinger Poll. What do three of them have in common?

They served during wartime. Abraham Lincoln, Woodrow Wilson, and Franklin Roosevelt all served in wartime. (The Civil War, World War I, and World War II, respectively.) It seems as if leading a country through a war can be a recipe for greatness, in the minds of the historians who participated in this poll.

Thomas Jefferson was ranked as Great by the Schlesinger Poll despite the fact that he caused the following action?

Assumed presidential powers not specified in the Constitution. President Jefferson is probably best known for the Louisiana Purchase, which is the first time a U.S. president purchased land for his country. This act was in direct opposition of Jefferson's views before this act, when he stated numerous times that the president only had the rights specifically granted to him by the U.S. Constitution.

All of the presidents who served between 1900 and 1950 were ranked average by the Schlesinger Poll were members of the Republican party.

t. William McKinley, William Howard Taft and Herbert Hoover were all Republican presidents who served between 1900 and 1950 and were ranked average. It appears that the historians rated President Hoover Average due to his Administration enacting several policies which saw their way into President Roosevelt's New Deal.