The role of Presidents Flashcards
When was Abraham Lincoln’s presidency?
1861-65
Was his impact positive or negative?
Positive
Why?
Introduced the 13th amendment that abolished slavery across the entire country (social)
How can this view be challenged?
His impact is limited by the overall outlook of the era who were hesitant to the idea of equality and he had an initial reluctance to advocate for full racial equality only doing the minimum to preserve and strengthen the union of the states.
When was Andrew Johnson’s presidency?
1865-69
Was his impact positive or negative?
Negative
Why?
He opposed reconstruction policies aimed at ensuring equality and vetoed key civil rights legislation. His leniency towards former confederates and resistance to Black suffrage hindered progress and allowed systemic racism to persist in the post-war South
When was Ulysses Grant’s presidency?
1869-77
Was his impact positive or negative?
Positive
Why?
Enforced reconstruction laws, supported the 15th amendment and actively combatted the KKK through measures like the Civil Rights Act of 1871.
When was Rutherford B Hayes’ presidency?
1877-81
Was his impact positive or negative?
Negative
Why?
The compromise of 1877 ended reconstruction , withdrawing troops from the South and leaving African Americans vulnerable to disenfranchisement and racial violence.
When was Grover Cleveland’s presidency?
1893-97
Did he have an overall positive or negative impact?
Negative
Why?
He largely ignores racial issues and opposed federal intervention in the South, allowing segregation and disenfranchisement to persist.
When was Woodrow Wilson’s presidency?
1913-21
Was his impact positive or negative?
Negative
Why?
He segregated federal agencies and allowed racial discrimination to worsen.
When was Franklin D Roosevelt’s presidency?
1933-1945
Was his impact positive or negative?
Positive
Why?
The introduction of the New Deal provided jobs and economic relief for African Americans and Introduced the Black Cabinet
When was Harry S Truman’s presidency?
1945-53
Was his impact positive or negative?
Positive
Why?
He desegregated the Armed Forces and supported the establishment of the President’s Committee on Civil Rights.
When was Dwight Eisenhower’s presidency?
1953-61
Was his impact positive or negative?
Positive
Why?
He enforced desegregation in schools, notably sending troops to Little Rock, Arkansas to protect Black students in 1957.
How can this view be challenged?
He acted reluctantly in desegregating schools, emphasising law and order over moral justice.
When was John F Kennedy’s presidency?
1961-63
Was his impact positive or negative?
Positive
Why?
He publicly supported the movement and introduced significant civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1963.
When was Lyndon B Johnson’s presidency?
1963-69
Was his impact positive or negative?
Positive
Why?
He successfully passed landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
When was Jimmy Carter’s presidency?
1977-81
Was his impact positive or negative?
Positive
Why?
He appointed more African Americans to key government positions than any president before him and advocated for racial equality. His administration also focused on economic opportunities and improving conditions for African Americans.
When was Ronald Reagan’s presidency?
1981-89
Was his impact positive or negative?
Negative
Why?
His administration scaled back key civil rights protections and opposed affirmative action and anti-discriminatory laws.
