Major elections

1789

George Washington, First president, only unanimous election

1800

Thomas Jefferson

Bloodless revolution, first peaceful transition of power between parties

1824

John Quincy Adams

Corrupt bargain

1828

Andrew Jackson

Common man, First Democratic Prez.

1860

Abraham Lincoln

triggers secession, first elected Republican

1876

Rutherford B. Hayes

End of reconstruction (Compromise 1877)

1896

Wlliam McKinely

Death of silver conversation/Populists third party challenge

1912

Woodrow Wilson

Four candidates, two third party influences (Progressive + Socialist), contest over progressive politics

1932

Franklin D. Roosevelt *need first and last

landslide Democrat election

1960

John F. Kennedy

First televised debate, youngest elected president, first Catholic president

1980

Ronald Reagan

landslide Republican election, ushers in rise of modern conservative movement

2000

George W. Bush

Recount controversy- decided by Bush v. Gore

2008

Barack Obama

First African American president

2016

Donald Trump

Candidate who didn’t win popular vote wins, pollsters wrong