Accidental Presidents: Eight Men Who Changed America

Accidental Presidents: Eight Men Who Changed America

by Jared Cohen

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	21081 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	530 pages

FREE

Accidental Presidents: Eight Men Who Changed America is a fascinating look at the lives and presidencies of eight men who unexpectedly ascended to the highest office in the land. These men, from John Tyler to Gerald Ford, faced unprecedented challenges and made lasting impacts on American history.

The book begins with a profile of John Tyler, who became president after the death of William Henry Harrison in 1841. Tyler was a staunch Whig who vetoed numerous bills passed by the Democratic-controlled Congress. He was also a strong advocate for the annexation of Texas, which he eventually achieved in 1845.

The next president profiled in the book is Millard Fillmore, who succeeded Zachary Taylor after his death in 1850. Fillmore was a moderate Whig who tried to appease both the North and the South during the growing sectional crisis. He signed the Fugitive Slave Act into law, which angered many Northerners, and he also sent troops to Utah to quell the Mormon rebellion.

Franklin Pierce, the next president featured in the book, was a Democrat who served from 1853 to 1857. Pierce was a strong supporter of slavery and the expansion of American territory. He signed the Kansas-Nebraska Act into law, which allowed slavery to be extended into the territories, and he also supported the Ostend Manifesto, which called for the annexation of Cuba.

James Buchanan, the next president profiled in the book, was a Democrat who served from 1857 to 1861. Buchanan was a weak and indecisive leader who failed to address the growing sectional crisis. He allowed the South to secede from the Union, and he also failed to prevent the outbreak of the Civil War.

Andrew Johnson, the next president featured in the book, was a Democrat who served from 1865 to 1869. Johnson was a strong supporter of the Union, and he worked to reunite the country after the Civil War. He was impeached by the House of Representatives for "high crimes and misdemeanors," but he was acquitted by the Senate.

Chester Arthur, the next president profiled in the book, was a Republican who served from 1881 to 1885. Arthur was a reformer who fought against corruption and patronage. He signed the Pendleton Civil Service Act into law, which established a merit-based system for hiring government employees.

Theodore Roosevelt, the next president featured in the book, was a Republican who served from 1901 to 1909. Roosevelt was a strong leader who expanded the power of the presidency. He negotiated the end of the Russo-Japanese War, and he also led the country through the Panama Canal crisis. He was also a conservationist who created numerous national parks and forests.

Gerald Ford, the next president profiled in the book, was a Republican who served from 1974 to 1977. Ford was a moderate who worked to heal the country after the Watergate scandal. He pardoned Richard Nixon for his role in the scandal, and he also signed the Helsinki Accords, which promoted human rights in Eastern Europe.

Accidental Presidents: Eight Men Who Changed America is a well-written and informative book that provides a fascinating look at the lives and presidencies of eight men who unexpectedly ascended to the highest office in the land. These men faced unprecedented challenges and made lasting impacts on American history.

Accidental Presidents: Eight Men Who Changed America

by Jared Cohen

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	21081 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	530 pages

FREE