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America's Presidents
Throughout the history of the American presidency, from George Washington's inauguration to the present day, the chief executive's duties have encompassed more than politics. Our presidents are charged with responding to the hopes and aspirations of the American people, and this is a tremendous burden -- one that has crushed some and elevated others.
The Constitution only minimally defines the powers of the president because the Founders sought to create an office that could change and develop as the course of American history unfolded. They trusted in posterity and relied upon the character and wisdom of American citizenry. in our democracy, the power of the office is subject to the leader's relationship with the electorate, and the most influential American presidents have transcended their own eras to shape the country's present as well as its future.
When these individuals took the oath of office, they all accepted an enormous responsibility. But their specific circumstances and their distinct personalities leave us with unique stories of both triumph and failure. On their own, each of the portraits in America's Presidents depicts a leader whose life offers lessons in governance, endurance, and character. Collectively, they reveal the contours of the history of the United States. |