Presidents Born West of the Mississippi River
The American landscape runs from the Atlantic seaboard to the Mississippi River. Beyond the Mississippi are plains and mountains, deserts and plateaus. It was on this land, west of the Mississippi, that some of the most important figures in American history were born. There have been eight presidents born west of the Mississippi: Ulysses S. Grant, Chester A. Arthur, Benjamin Harrison, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, William T. Taft, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Ronald Reagan.
Born on April 27, 1822, Ulysses S. Grant was the first president born west of the Mississippi. Serving as commander of the Union Army during the Civil War, Grant would go on to become the 18th president of the United States, serving from 1869-1877. He was also the youngest president, at the time, to have served.
Chester A. Arthur was born on October 5, 1829, in Fairfield, Vermont. Elected as the 21st president of the United States in 1881, he served for only one term. He is best remembered for the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, which mandated that federal government employees would be hired based on merit, instead of patronage.
Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd president of the United States, was born on August 20, 1833, in North Bend, Ohio. He was the first president to use electricity in the White House. His time in office was punctuated by tumultous economic times, but his administration ushered in the Sherman Antitrust Act and the first federal law protecting the rights of laborers.
Grover Cleveland was born on March 18, 1837, in Caldwell, New Jersey. He was the 24th president, serving two separate terms in office, first from 1885-1889 then again from 1893-1897. Though he was the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms in office, he was known as the “veto president” due to his frequent use of the presidential veto.
Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president, was born on October 27, 1858, in New York City. He was the first president to ride in an automobile and fly in an airplane. He was also the first president to become a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. His presidency was marked by his aggressive policies in foreign affairs, most notably the Roosevelt Corollary and the construction of the Panama Canal.
William H. Taft was born on September 15, 1857, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was the 27th president from 1909-1913, before going on to serve as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court from 1921-1929. During his presidency, he pioneered the enactment of sweeping conservation legislation and was the first president to introduce the term “dollar diplomacy” in foreign policy.
Lyndon B. Johnson was born on August 27, 1908, in Stonewall, Texas. He was the 36th president of the United States, serving from 1963-1969. His most noted accomplishment during his time in office was the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which outlawed discrimination based on race, national origin, and gender.
Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, was born on February 6, 1911, in Tampico, Illinois. During his two terms as president, from 1981-1989, he championed the Cold War and helped bring an end to the Cold War by pursuing a foreign policy of confrontation and negotiation.
Legacies of the Eight Presidents
Although these presidents were born west of the Mississippi, their legacies remain with us today. As commander of the Union Army, Ulysses Grant secured a decisive victory in the Civil War and as president, Grant secured civil rights for African Americans. Chester Arthur was important for his initiation of civil service reforms and for fighting political corruption. Benjamin Harrison is remembered for his ability to navigate economic upheaval and promoting civil liberties. Grover Cleveland was known for his restraint in using presidential power and an unwavering commitment to fiscal responsibility. Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy was that of a progressive reformer and the champion of civil service and corporate accountability. William Taft was recognized for strengthening the power of the executive branch and upholding the power of the judiciary branch. Lyndon Johnson’s legacy was the civil rights revolution he ushered in with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. And Ronald Reagan was remembered for his leadership in ending the Cold War and ushering in an era of economic prosperity.
Significant Events during their Presidentships
Along with the legacies of these eight presidents, there are also significant events that occurred during their presidencies. Ulysses Grant presided over the beginning of Reconstruction and completion of the first Transcontinental Railroad. Chester Arthur was in office when the Brady Bill was passed, the first federal gun control legislation in the United States. Benjamin Harrison’s administration saw the enactment of the McKinley Tariff, one of the most influential tariffs enacted in U.S. history. Grover Cleveland oversaw the transformation of the Navy from a largely sail-based fleet to a modern and efficient steam-powered navy. Theodore Roosevelt oversaw the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, which was the first federal legislation regulating the manufacture, sale, and distribution of food and drugs in the United States. William Taft upheld the Supreme Court’s ruling on the dissolution of Standard Oil and presided over the passage of the Sixteenth Amendment, which enabled the federal government to impose an income tax. During Lyndon Johnson’s administration, the Voting Rights Act was passed, which gave African Americans the right to vote. And Ronald Reagan implemented his “Reaganomics” policies, which included increased military spending and tax cuts for the wealthy.
Impact of their Policies on Modern America
The policies of these presidents have had a lasting impact on modern America. Many of the social and economic reforms of the Reconstruction Age are still with us today. The destruction of the Indian reservations that happened during Ulysses Grant’s presidency left a legacy of suffering and loss of resources that Indigenous peoples are still grappling with today. Grover Cleveland’s focus on fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget set the stage for budgetary battles that are still being fought today. Theodore Roosevelt’s conservation policies laid the foundation for later legislation such as the Endangered Species Act. The voting and civil rights reforms ushered in by Lyndon Johnson still shape the political and social landscape of the United States. And Ronald Reagan’s policies, particularly his tax cuts, still influence the economic policies of the United States.
Assessment and Analysis
The eight presidents born west of the Mississippi have all contributed to the growth, prosperity, and development of the United States. But their legacies are not without controversy, as some have enacted policies that have had a lasting and damaging impact on many Americans. As the United States continues to grapple with the issues of civil rights and economic inequality, it is important to remember the complex legacies of these presidents and acknowledge their contributions and mistakes. Their policies and decisions still shape the modern United States and are an important part of our history.
Conclusion of the Impact of their Presidency
All eight presidents born west of the Mississippi left a lasting legacy and imprint on this great nation. Beyond their legacies, the significant events that occurred during their presidencies and the policies they enacted continue to shape the United States today. It is important to remember the complexity of their legacies and the lasting impact they have had on the people of this country. Understanding the eight presidents born west of the Mississippi is essential to truly understand the United States as a whole.
