Schlesinger Poll of Presidential Ratings Quiz

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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.

Answer: True

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.