AP U.S. History Presidents

George Washington (1789–1797)

Definition: 1st U.S. President; former Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army.

Significance: Set key precedents for the presidency; avoided political parties and foreign entanglements.

Key Events: Judiciary Act (1789), Whiskey Rebellion (1794), Neutrality Proclamation (1793), Farewell Address (1796).

John Adams (1797–1801)

Definition: 2nd President; Federalist leader and former Vice President.

Significance: Strengthened the federal government but faced backlash over civil liberties.

Key Events: XYZ Affair (1797), Alien and Sedition Acts (1798), Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions (1798).

Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809)

Definition: 3rd President; Democratic-Republican; author of the Declaration of Independence.

Significance: Expanded U.S. territory and reduced federal power.

Key Events: Louisiana Purchase (1803), Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–1806), Embargo Act (1807).

James Madison (1809–1817)

Definition: 4th President; “Father of the Constitution.”
Significance: Led the U.S. through the War of 1812; strengthened nationalism.
Key Events: War of 1812 (1812–1815), Treaty of Ghent (1814), Hartford Convention (1814).

James Monroe (1817–1825)

Definition: 5th President
Significance: Era of Good Feelings; promoted nationalism and U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere.
Key Events: Monroe Doctrine (1823), Missouri Compromise (1820), Panic of 1819.

John Quincy Adams (1825–1829)

Definition: 6th President; son of John Adams; National Republican.

Significance: Faced opposition from Jacksonians; promoted internal improvements and education.

Key Events: “Corrupt Bargain” (1824), Erie Canal completion (1825), Tariff of Abominations (1828).

Andrew Jackson (1829–1837)

Definition: 7th President; Democrat; “Champion of the Common Man.”

Significance: Expanded presidential power and popular democracy; controversial Indian policies.

Key Events: Indian Removal Act (1830), Nullification Crisis (1832), Bank War (1833–1836), Trail of Tears (1838).

Martin Van Buren (1837–1841)

Definition: 8th President; Jackson’s VP; Democrat.
Significance: Faced severe economic downturn from Jackson’s policies.
Key Events: Panic of 1837, continued Indian removal policies.

William Henry Harrison (1841)

Definition: 9th President; Whig; hero of Tippecanoe.
Significance: Shortest presidency—died one month after inauguration.
Key Events: First president to die in office.

John Tyler (1841–1845)

Definition: 10th President; “His Accidency”; former Democrat turned Whig.
Significance: Clashed with Whig Party; advanced Manifest Destiny.
Key Events: Webster-Ashburton Treaty (1842), Texas annexation (1845).

James K. Polk (1845–1849)

Definition: 11th President; Democrat; expansionist.
Significance: Fulfilled Manifest Destiny through territorial expansion.
Key Events: Annexation of Texas (1845), Oregon Treaty (1846), Mexican-American War (1846–1848), Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.