Presidential Courage
A President with presidential courage has the ability to be courageous, brave, and true to what they believe in. They are able to make decisions for the United States of America during crucial times, no matter how it may change the country's future. Even if it may be controversial to everyone else in the nation, they stand strong in their belief that the decision they are about to make is the right and best one. Presidents with this quality are willing to jeopardize themselves for an essential cause; they are willing to do the right thing even if it is unpopular.
1. President Abraham Lincoln
President Abraham Lincoln was a strong and fascinating human. He confronted the hard decision to issue the Emancipation Proclamation in 1864 with confidence. Even though signing this proclamation was the reason he was losing the election, and those around him disagreed with his decision, he still followed through. This brave act freed millions of those who were enslaved at the time at the risk of dividing the already feuding country more in half. Lincoln stuck to his conviction that slavery must be gone to bring the beginning of peace within the country.
2. PResident Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a wise president. He knew that the President’s job was to not follow the public’s opinion but lead them. Even though a majority of Americans want to keep out of World War II, Roosevelt knew this was not the best choice. He decided to use our military power to help aid places like Britain and France against the Nazis, and to blockade then defeat Japan. Leading for FDR might have included telling half-truths, impinging on civil liberties, and possibly breaking the law in the name of nation security, but he was the one to ultimately help end World War II. He has become a model for many modern presidents and helped to make the United States a strong country, both politically and in the military power.
3. President George Washington
George Washington faced his greatest challenge and decision in the field of politics in 1795. He was trying to avert a new war with Great Britain that he knew the new United States of America would not be able to survive. Washington risked his popularity by doing all he could to persuade the public to accept a peace treaty that had been negotiated with the British. Many wanted him impeached, and even executed, but George Washington kept his ground.
4. President John Adams
John Adams’ biggest challenge was similar to that of Washington’s. There was the danger of a war with France at the time of his presidency. In his attempt to make peace, he was vilified and reviled by the war-hawks of his own party. Luckily, he succeeded in protecting America, but at a major cost. He paid the price of losing his second term in office. Still, Adams deserves much credit because he did not stay silent but ran the risk of displeasing the people knowing that his decision would be good for them in the long-run.
5. President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy did not want to be on either side of supporting African-Americans’ rights at first, but stay more lukewarm. Soon, thanks to Martin Luther King, Jr.’s influence, JFK became a civil rights advocate. Kennedy came to understand that if he did not send a civil rights bill to Congress the country would be in total chaos. He knew what it would cost, his second term in presidency, but he stayed brave and true. Kennedy lost his second chance of being president for an honest and equal matter of principle.
6. President Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore, or Teddy, Roosevelt was already against the pro-business conservatism as soon as he took office, thus, taking aim at Wall Street immediately. He understood the risks of challenging the wealth and power of big business and monopolies. This “rebellion” against the elite power almost lost him his nomination in 1904, and almost destroyed his character. Roosevelt did not let this stop him though, he wanted to save the small business and stimulate the economy. He forged ahead and ended up establishing the government’s right to scrutinize great corporations and mediate between management and labor. With his pulsing ambition, sense of history, and moral purpose, Roosevelt felt great Presidents took noble risks; a politician must care about the country not his own success.
7. President Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson took the stand against the Second Bank of the United States during his presidency. To Jackson the Bank profaned America’s revolutionary ideals. It had the ability to spread vast sums of money among newspaper editors, Senators, and Congressmen. So, when Congress, at his request, voted to renew the Bank’s charter Jackson vetoed the measure, thus succeeding in crippling the Bank. When Jackson established this new authority for himself, he also set new authority for the future presidents. Andrew Jackson’s audacity gave later Presidents more power. He redefined the veto, and broadened the expectations of what Presidents owed people.