Characteristics Of Antebellum President

A president has always had high expectations to perform upon the moment they are placed in the authoritative position. In particular, the antebellum presidents dealt with a young nation that was developing immensely, resulting in each president accommodating to the needs of the nation after the previous. Each antebellum president contributed to shaping America whether the impact be positive or negative. A few presidents have been given higher recognition for the successful growth of the nation than others depending on their contribution to America. The criteria for being considered an effective president would include going beyond the nation’s need for stability and establishing goals of prosperity by ensuring the rights and needs of the people

of America, and preventing any internal and foreign tension from disrupting the nation’s growth, while still maintaining economic management. To determine the utmost successful antebellum president their actions must be compared with the criteria of one.
Some presidents however, were not given a chance to provide their contribution to America.

In the election of 1841 William Henry Harrison took office, though unfortunately he died shortly after from pneumonia, making no contributions to America. Harisson’s term on record is the shortest in presidential history ever served. Another member of the Whig Party, Zachary Taylor, who became the twelfth president of the United States in 1849, also passed away shortly after being put into office along with his notions for preserving the Union. While the performance of these two candidates may have had an impact on the country their ideas rest with them, which is why they shall never be known for success. One president in particular achieved the criteria in order to be considered the most favored president, that being George

Washington.
Economic Management. A successful economy is crucial for a growing nation, therefore it must be maintained, however, the best presidents don’t just sustain an economy they establish one that thrives. George Washington, the first president of the United States, was put in the position to essentially construct an economy for the infant nation. After the American Revolutionary War their economic ties with Britain were cut and the war left the nation with a hefty debt, leaving Washington with a heavy responsibility of setting the nation in motion. In the beginning of his presidency he took on Hamilton’s Financial Program. Hamilton’s Program consisted of three parts for the purpose of settling the nation’s financial issues. The actions include “(1) Pay off the national debt and have the federal government assume the war debts of the states. (2) Protect the nation’s young industries that were in the process of developing and collecting adequate revenue at the same time through high tariffs. (3) Create a national bank for depositing governmental funds and printing banknotes, providing the basis for a stable U.S currency” (Newman and Schmalbach.110). It showed responsibility and consideration of all, something that even the mature nations at the time had not grasped. This program provided a stable base for the economy to develop upon, and showed much promise through the years. An act passed by George Washington, known as the Tariff of 1789 also supported the success of trade and revenue. Its purpose was to raise revenue and protect commerce, similar to what Hamilton’s financial plan suggests. Inevitably this tax did not favor everyone. The north benefited more from high tariffs than the south, although it was the right call on Washington’s part or the economy wouldn’t have ever benefited or strengthened. “The act remains significant for setting the basics of U.S trade policy” (Malloy, Michael P.). For young America having these laws independently set into place for economic prosperity was an achievement alone. While the trade policies were forming America’s first National Bank was established in 1791, where federal funds would be managed and later be organized to use for internal renovation of the country.
In the birth of the nation the economies policies and base was set into place by George Washington for the new nation and proceeding his term the economy was taken into the hands of presidents that maintained its success rather than enhancing or ruining it.

The election after Washington’s term expired the second president was elected, John Adam’s. Much like Washington he took on and continued Hamilton’s Financial Program for the logical reason that it was allowing the nation to finally build after becoming independent. However, once the nation began to gain financial stability Thomas Jefferson took a large risk regarding the nation’s income. He obtained a large piece of territory using federal funds, otherwise known as the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Jefferson’s risky action consequently resulted in an economic success. “The one prominent feature of Louisiana upon which all powers agreed as being both markedly fixed and of utmost significance for advancing national interests further west was the Mississippi River”(Library of Congress. 3). The gain in control of the Mississippi River provided a high economic opportunity due to the extensive internal trading access it would offer through the country. Although, the Louisiana Purchase was a success Jefferson’s decision of using federal funds to acquire the territory was a large move and nowhere in the Constitution did it state he could, questioning the expanse of power given to the presidential position, which one feared in

America could possess too much. Later in Jefferson’s term he set a law that potentially was one of the worst notions during his presidency. In 1807 the Embargo Act was placed with the purpose of attempting to prevent foreign tension with France and Britain by not allowing American ships to any foreign ports and eliminated international trade. “The embargo, however, backfired and brought greater economic hardship to the United States than Britain” (Newman and Schmalbach. 136). While Jefferson’s attempt to preserve the economy failed once he passed the Embargo Act, he later at least recognized his doings during his presidency that it must be repealed. The embargo eventually got repealed in 1809, during James Madison’s term.