The Changing Role of the President
George Washington
President #
1
Years in Office
1789-1797
Previous
Occupation(s)
Planter
Surveyor
Delegate
Commanding General - Continental Army
Salary (Yearly)
$25,000
Adopted the title of “Mr. President”
Created the institution of a Presidential Cabinet. (Originally 4 Departments - State, Treasury,
War and Attorney General)
Established the role of Chief Legislator by bringing suggested legislation to Congress such as
the Judiciary Act of 1789
Established the role of Chief Diplomat by negotiating treaties especially those created to
remain neutral to European conflicts
Established the role of Commander in Chief when he personally led troops to deal with the
Whiskey Rebellion
Supported and developed fiscal initiatives to control the national debt
Established the required address to Congress as a speech to Congress instead of a letter
Established the schedule of a president by conducting business during the morning to early
evening and leaving the late afternoon and evenings for social gatherings and meetings with
the public
Established the tradition of a “Farewell Address”
Chose to leave office after serving 2 terms, a precedent followed until Franklin D. Roosevelt
was elected four times to office
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The Changing Role of the President
Ronald Reagan
President #
40
Years in Office
1981-1989
Previous
Occupation(s)
Actor
Governor
Salary (Yearly)
$200,000
Decreased the role of the federal government:
Called for cuts in income tax (25% reduction)
Cut federal spending on Great Society programs (Entitlement programs under Johnson)
Cut federal spending on educational programs
Cut federal spending on food stamp programs
Increased federal spending on the military
Increased the pressure on the Soviet Union (Peace Through Strength)
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The Changing Role of the President
Woodrow Wilson
President #
28
Years in Office
1913-1919
Previous
Occupation(s)
Teacher
Governor
Salary (Yearly)
$75,000
Introduced and persuaded Congress to pass Progressive legislation including:
Federal Reserve Act
Federal Trade Commission Act
Clayton Anti-Trust Act
Federal Income Tax (Amendment)
limitations on Child Labor
8 hour workday for railroad workers
During World War I:
Pushed through legislation to limit/suspend Constitutional rights (Espionage Act of
1917 / Sedition Act of 1918)
Wrote The Fourteen Points to outline what should happen after the war had ended in
order to avoid further conflict
Set the precedent of the President being a leader in global politics
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The Changes in the Role of the President
Franklin D. Roosevelt
President #
32
Years in Office
1933-1945
Previous
Occupation(s)
Lawyer
Asst. Secretary of the Navy
Governor
Salary (Yearly)
$75,000
Driving force behind the economic recovery during the Great Depression (New Deal)
Built the perception that the federal government is the safety net to protect the people who
need assistance through the development of programs such as Social Security and other
entitlement programs
With the addition of new programs, the federal government expanded its power
World War II placed the United States firmly on the world stage
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The Changing Role of the President
Theodore Roosevelt
President #
26
Years in Office
1901-1909
Previous
Occupation(s)
Author
Lawyer
Governor
Asst. Secretary of the Navy
Salary (Yearly)
$50,000
Developed the role of the President being the Steward of the United States. (In Roosevelt’s
view, the President is the caretaker of everyone in the United States)
Pushed for the preservation of the natural environment of the United States
Pushed for “trust-busting” legislation to break down large monopolies and trusts
Led the charge for the Progressive Movement
Extended the Monroe Doctrine (Roosevelt Corollary)
Extended the international holding of the United States through the construction of the
Panama Canal
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating the end of the Russo-Japanese War
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The Changing Role of the President
Abraham Lincoln
President #
16
Years in Office
1861-1865
Previous
Occupation(s)
Lawyer
U.S. Representative
Salary (Yearly)
$25,000
Used “emergency powers” during the Civil War including:
established a naval blockage without the approval of Congress
borrowed money for the war effort without the approval of Congress
declared martial law in areas of rebellion
ended slavery in areas of rebellion
suspended habeas corpus
placed some vocal critics in military prison without a trial
Called state militias into federal service as Commander in Chief
Rotated through Generals during the Civil War as Commander in Chief
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The Changing Role of the President
Andrew Jackson
President #
7
Years in Office
1829-1837
Previous
Occupation(s)
Lawyer
Planter
General
Salary (Yearly)
$25,000
Promoted the power of the people over the power of the wealthy
Ended the party caucus system (simple meeting of a few) to a convention nomination system
for determining party leaders
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The Changing Role of the President
Thomas Jefferson
President #
3
Years in Office
1801-1809
Previous
Occupation(s)
Planter
Lawyer
Diplomat
Author of the Declaration of
Independence
Governor
Salary (Yearly)
$25,000
Nurtured the concept of party politics in the United States to “bridge the gap” between the
Executive and Legislative branches leading to establishing the role of Political Party Leader.
Extended the power of the President through negotiating the Louisiana Purchase with France,
doubling the size of the United States. (Loose interpretation of the powers granted by the
Constitution) Jefferson referred to these as “inherit powers.”
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