Question: Can you please simplify the history of the Presidency?

Yes. George Washington was the first President, and he set certain precedents, or trends. He assembled the first cabinet, gave a farewell address, and only stayed in power for two terms. All Presidents followed suit, for the exception of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was elected four times.

Though Washington spoke out against political parties, they soon emerged. Thomas Jefferson was the first liberal to be President, and his victory signaled the “Revolution of 1800.” Another “common man” who took office was Andrew Jackson. Until the twentieth century, most Presidents were weak. The only ones considered much stronger than Congress were Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt. Woodrow Wilson had a bit more clout, but the Senate never ratified his Treaty of Versailles. However, since 1933, the Presidency has been a much more powerful office.

Although Andrew Jackson was famous for his veto that killed the Bank of the US, it should be noted that vetoes are not the norm. The greatest veto power was exhibited by Democrats Grover Cleveland and Franklin D. Roosevelt. When one party controls the Legislative Branch, and another is in charge in the White House, more vetoes occur. However, vetoes are rarely overridden. Andrew Johnson, the first President to be impeached, suffered the greatest percentage of overridden vetoes.

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