46th President of the USA in the period 2021-2025

Joe Biden (*1946)

Democratic

Joe Biden took office in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and focused on combating the crisis and on climate policy. He worked to strengthen international alliances and promoted infrastructure projects and measures to combat climate change.

1st President of the USA in the period 1789-1797

George Washington (1732–1799)

Non-party

George Washington, the first president of the USA, was a hero of the War of Independence and helped to unite the country after the victory over Great Britain. He laid the foundation for many of the traditions of the presidency and decided to step down after two terms to ensure a peaceful transfer of power. Washington's leadership style profoundly shaped the young nation.

2nd President of the USA in the period 1797-1801

John Adams (1735–1826)

Federalist

John Adams, the second president and first vice president of the USA, played a decisive role in the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. His time in office was characterized by tensions with France, which led to domestic political conflicts. However, Adams promoted the strengthening of the US navy and kept the country out of war.

3rd President of the USA in the period 1801-1809

Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826)

Democratic-Republican

Thomas Jefferson was the author of the Declaration of Independence and served as the third president of the USA. His time in office was characterized by the expansion of the country through the Louisiana Purchase and his vision of an agrarian society. Jefferson championed individual freedoms and played a key role in shaping American democracy.

4th President of the USA in the period 1809-1817

James Madison (1751–1836)

Democratic-Republican

James Madison, also known as the “Father of the Constitution”, led the country during the British-American War of 1812. His political writings and the Constitution formed the foundation of American democracy. He strengthened the nation through reforms and expanded its international influence.

5th President of the USA in the period 1817-1825

James Monroe (1758–1831)

Democratic-Republican

James Monroe was the fifth President of the United States and was known for the “Monroe Doctrine”, which warned Europe not to interfere in American affairs. His presidency, also known as the “Era of Good Feelings”, was a time of national growth and cohesion. Monroe strengthened the USA's independence in foreign policy.

6th President of the USA in the period 1825-1829

John Quincy Adams (1825–1829)

Democratic-Republican

John Quincy Adams was the sixth president and son of John Adams. An advocate of education and infrastructure, he championed the establishment of universities and scientific institutions. Despite political setbacks, Adams was an important diplomat and abolitionist who later achieved great recognition as a congressman.

7th President of the USA in the period 1829-1837

Andrew Jackson (1829–1837)

Democratic

Andrew Jackson, a hero of the War of 1812, was known for his populist style and his opposition to the national banking system. Jackson's policy of “Indian Removal” led to fierce criticism, but his vision of a strong president and his reforms had a lasting impact on American democracy.

8th President of the USA in the period 1837-1841

Martin Van Buren (1782–1862)

Democratic

Martin Van Buren was a political strategist and founder of the Democratic Party. His presidency was marked by the economic crisis “Panic of 1837”, which diminished his popularity. Nevertheless, he was a pioneer of modern party politics in the USA.

9th President of the USA in 1841

William Henry Harrison (1773–1841)

United States Whig Party

William Henry Harrison served only 31 days as president before dying of pneumonia - the shortest term in office in US history. He became famous for his military successes, in particular the Battle of Tippecanoe, which earned him the reputation of a folk hero.

10th President of the USA in the period 1841-1845

John Tyler (1841–1845)

United States Whig Party

John Tyler was the first vice president to take office after the death of a president. His presidency was characterized by domestic political conflicts, especially because of his decision to act against the National Bank, which was supported by his party. Nevertheless, he supported the annexation of Texas.

11th President of the USA in the period 1845-1849

James K. Polk (1845–1849)

Democratic

James K. Polk was known for the expansion of the USA, particularly through the Mexican-American War, which led to the annexation of California and Texas. Under his leadership, the country grew by a third. Polk kept his promise to serve only one term and shaped the US as a great continental power.

12th President of the USA in the period 1849-1850

Zachary Taylor (1849–1850)

United States Whig Party

Zachary Taylor was a war hero of the Mexican-American War. As president, he championed the preservation of the Union and opposed the expansion of slavery. His term was short, as he died during the second year of his presidency.

13th President of the USA in the period 1850-1853

Millard Fillmore (1850–1853)

United States Whig Party

Millard Fillmore assumed the presidency after the death of Zachary Taylor. He is best known for passing the Compromise of 1850, which attempted to calm tensions between Northern and Southern states by offering short-term solutions to the slavery issue.

14th President of the USA in the period 1853-1857

Franklin Pierce (1804–1869)

Democratic

Franklin Pierce attempted to unify the nation through territorial expansion and the Kansas-Nebraska Act. However, the latter exacerbated tensions over slavery, which led to escalation. His presidency is often considered unfortunate as it exacerbated the crisis that led to the Civil War.

15th President of the USA in the period 1857-1861

James Buchanan (1791–1868)

Democratic

James Buchanan was the last president before the Civil War. Despite his efforts to preserve the Union, tensions between North and South worsened during his time in office, leading to the secession of the Southern states. His hesitant actions made him a controversial figure.

16th President of the USA in the period 1861-1865

Abraham Lincoln (1861–1865)

Republican

Abraham Lincoln led the USA through the Civil War and is famous for the abolition of slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation. His commitment to the unity of the nation and equality had a profound impact on the USA. He was assassinated in April 1865 shortly after the end of the war and is considered one of the greatest presidents.

17th President of the USA in the period 1865-1869

Andrew Johnson (1808–1875)

Democratic (Union)

Andrew Johnson took office after Lincoln's assassination and led the USA through the difficult phase of Reconstruction. His opposition to Congress on the integration of the southern states almost led to his impeachment, which had a major impact on his presidency).

18th President of the USA in the period 1869-1877

Ulysses S. Grant (1822–1885)

Republican

As a former Civil War general, Ulysses S. Grant led the nation during Reconstruction. His time in office was characterized by economic growth, but also by corruption scandals. He campaigned for the protection of the civil rights of former slaves.

19th President of the USA in the period 1877-1881

Rutherford B. Hayes (1822–1893)

Republican

Rutherford B. Hayes won the controversial election of 1876 and ended military Reconstruction in the South. His policies were aimed at national reconciliation and reducing corruption. Hayes was a reformer who also championed public service.

20th President of the USA in 1881

James A. Garfield (1831–1881)

Republican

James A. Garfield had only a short term in office before he was fatally injured in an assassination attempt that same year. However, his civil service reforms began to lay the groundwork for later changes. Garfield is remembered for his commitment to civil rights and education.

21st President of the USA in the period 1881-1885

Chester A. Arthur (1829–1886)

Republican

Chester A. Arthur took office after the assassination of James A. Garfield. He is best known for introducing the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, which was intended to curb corruption in the civil service. His presidency surprised many as he transformed himself from political insider to reformer.

22nd President of the USA in the period 1885-1889

Grover Cleveland (1837–1908)

Democratic

Grover Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms. His early years were characterized by efforts to combat cronyism. Cleveland stood for financial honesty and endeavored to preserve the government's independence from special interests.

23rd President of the USA in the period 1889-1893

Benjamin Harrison (1889–1893)

Republican

Benjamin Harrison, grandson of President William Henry Harrison, advocated high tariffs and an active foreign policy. During his term of office, the Sherman Antitrust Acts were passed to regulate monopolistic companies. Harrison also promoted the modernization of the navy.

24th President of the USA in the period 1893-1897

Grover Cleveland (1837–1908)

Democratic

Grover Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms. His early years were characterized by efforts to combat cronyism. Cleveland stood for financial honesty and endeavored to preserve the government's independence from special interests.

25th President of the USA in the period 1897-1901

William McKinley (1843–1901)

Republican

William McKinley's presidency was characterized by the Spanish-American War, which established the USA as a colonial power. Under his leadership, the USA gained control of Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines. McKinley was assassinated in his second term, making Theodore Roosevelt president.

26th President of the USA in the period 1901-1909

Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919)

Republican

Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest president of the USA and is known for his progressive reforms. He championed conservation and strengthened the government's role in regulating monopolies. Roosevelt was also a passionate supporter of American expansion and the construction of the Panama Canal.

27th President of the USA in the period 1909-1913

William Howard Taft (1857–1930)

Republican

William Howard Taft was both President and later Chief Justice of the USA. His term of office was characterized by the continuation of Theodore Roosevelt's anti-trust policy. Taft modernized the government, but was not re-elected due to internal party conflicts.

28th President of the USA in the period 1913-1921

Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924)

Democratic

Woodrow Wilson led the USA through the First World War and campaigned for the League of Nations. His “Fourteen Points” plan shaped the peace negotiations. In terms of domestic policy, Wilson introduced important reforms in banking and labor law.

29th President of the USA in the period 1921-1923

Warren G. Harding (1865–1923)

Republican

Warren G. Harding promised a return to “normality” after the First World War. However, his presidency was overshadowed by corruption scandals. Despite his initial popularity, these events diminished his reputation.

30th President of the USA in the period 1923-1929

Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933)

Republican

Calvin Coolidge assumed the presidency after Harding's death and was known for his quiet, frugal governance. He promoted economic expansion and reduced government spending, which contributed to the prosperity of the “Roaring Twenties”.

31st President of the USA in the period 1929-1933

Herbert Hoover (1874–1964)

Republican

Herbert Hoover took office shortly before the outbreak of the Great Depression. His attempts to overcome the crisis were often seen as inadequate, which led to a decline in his popularity. The Depression dominated his time in office.

32nd President of the USA in the period 1933-1945

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945)

Democratic

Franklin D. Roosevelt led the USA through the Great Depression and the Second World War. He implemented the “New Deal” program to stabilize the economy and was the only president to serve four terms. His leadership during the war cemented his place as one of the most important presidents of the USA.

33rd President of the USA in the period 1945-1953

Harry S. Truman (1884–1972)

Democratic

Harry S. Truman took office after Roosevelt's death and was responsible for the decision to drop the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. He initiated the post-war period and supported the Marshall Plan for the reconstruction of Europe. Truman was also instrumental in the founding of the United Nations.

34th President of the USA in the period 1953-1961

Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890–1969)

Republican

Dwight D. Eisenhower was a respected World War II general and led a policy of economic stability and the containment of communism during his presidency. Under his leadership, the interstate highways were built and he championed civil rights.

35th President of the USA in the period 1961-1963

John F. Kennedy (1917–1963)

Democratic

John F. Kennedy, the youngest elected president, championed civil rights and space travel. His foreign policy during the Cold War, in particular the Cuban Missile Crisis, shaped his time in office. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas in 1963, shocking the nation.

36th President of the USA in the period 1963-1969

Lyndon B. Johnson (1908–1973)

Democratic

Lyndon B. Johnson championed the civil rights movement and passed important legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964. His “Great Society” programs were aimed at combating poverty. At the same time, however, his time in office was burdened by the escalation of the Vietnam War.

37th President of the USA in the period 1969-1974

Richard Nixon (1913–1994)

Republican

Richard Nixon is best known for his resignation in the wake of the Watergate scandal, the only resignation by a US president. However, he also carried out successful foreign policy initiatives, including the resumption of diplomatic relations with China and ending the Vietnam War.

38th President of the USA in the period 1974-1977

Gerald Ford (1913–2006)

Republican

Gerald Ford took over the presidency after Nixon's resignation and endeavored to reconcile the country after the Watergate affair. His controversial pardon of Nixon overshadowed his time in office, but he focused on stabilizing the economy and international disarmament.

39th President of the USA in the period 1977-1981

Jimmy Carter (*1924)

Democratic

Jimmy Carter concentrated on human rights and international peace efforts during his time in office. The peace treaty between Israel and Egypt (Camp David Accords) was one of his greatest successes. However, economic problems and the hostage-taking in Iran led to his re-election defeat.

40th President of the USA in the period 1981-1989

Ronald Reagan (1911–2004)

Republican

Ronald Reagan, a former actor, led the USA during a period of economic boom and the Cold War. His “Reaganomics” promoted tax cuts and deregulation. Internationally, his tough stance towards the Soviet Union was influential and contributed to the end of the Cold War.

41st President of the USA in the period 1989-1993

George H. W. Bush (1924–2018)

Republican

George H. W. Bush led the USA through the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War. During his time in office, he led the international coalition in the Gulf War that liberated Kuwait from Iraqi occupation. Despite foreign policy successes, he was weakened economically during his second term of office.

42nd President of the USA in the period 1993-2001

Bill Clinton (*1946)

Democratic

Bill Clinton's time in office was characterized by economic growth and a budget surplus. He championed education reforms and access to healthcare. However, his presidency was overshadowed by personal scandals that led to impeachment proceedings, from which he was acquitted.

43rd President of the USA in the period 2001-2009

George W. Bush (*1946)

Republican

George W. Bush led the USA after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and launched the war on terror. His foreign policy was determined by the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. Domestically, his second term in office was characterized by the handling of the financial crisis.

44th President of the USA in the period 2009-2017

Barack Obama (*1961)

Democratic

Barack Obama was the first African-American president of the USA. His most important achievements include the reform of the healthcare system (“Obamacare”) and overcoming the economic crisis of 2008. In terms of foreign policy, he focused on the withdrawal of troops from Iraq and a new diplomatic rapprochement with Cuba.

45th President of the USA in the period 2017-2021

Donald Trump (*1946)

Republican

Donald Trump was known for his unconventional policies and emphasis on “America First”. His presidency was characterized by economic growth, but also by political controversies and social tensions. He was impeached in 2019 as the third president of the USA, but was acquitted.