The Least Experienced Presidents of The USA

Following my previous segment on the most experience people to ever be elected President of the US, I have decided to run an article on the least experienced Presidents. You will find that some Presidents were complete successes and others failed to really ever accomplish anything.

The Least Experienced Presidents

1. Zachary Taylor

Before being elected President, Taylor never held any political office. He rose to fame as a successful American General during the Mexican American War, in which he proved to be a well liked military commander. Taylor only served as President for two months, before dieing due to gastroenteritis. His short term had the daunting task of dealing with the slavery issue and was mildly successful, at the very least, of asserting the preservation of the Union at all costs. Taylor could have accomplished much more had he lived longer. All in all, the United States has seen much worse Presidents.

2. Ulysses S. Grant

Best known for his work as a General during the Civil War, Grant was elected the 18th President of the United States in 1869. Despite being elected to two terms, the Grant Presidency is renowned for its corruption. As President he supported amnesty for Confederate leaders and also decided to limit the number of troops stationed in the south to avoid further conflict. His Presidency was hit hard by the Panic of 1873, as historians feel Grant did little to stabilize the nation. His cabinet was increasingly corrupt and Grant did little to halt this. He meant well but Grant was not able to accomplish a whole lot.


3. George Washington

Washington set the precedents for the majority of all Presidential duties. Being the first President, Washington really didn't have an opportunity for experience. A member of Virginia colonial legislature, Washington led the Continental army to a victory during the Revolutionary War. As President he was flawless, calling for America to stay separate from foreign affairs and focus on what is going on at home. Perhaps his greatest feature was his humbleness, as he willingly gave up command of the country following the Revolution to the Continental Congress. He was never power hungry and refused running for a third term because he did not want to be like a King. Many scholars consider him the greatest President in American History.

4. Abraham Lincoln

Another worthy man is the "inexperienced" Senator from Illinois and no, I do not mean Barack Obama. Abraham Lincoln, like Obama, was a junior Senator from Illinois. Lincoln was elected in 1860 and reigned in the most turbulent period in American history. He was faced with a southern secession and a subsequent civil war. Poised and focused, Lincoln led the Union to victory and was able to achieve the abolition of slavery throughout the entire country. Although this was achieved, Lincoln ran for President with the intention of maintaining slavery as it was, without expanding it. Despite his success as President, Lincoln was the first President in US history to be assassinated. It has been said that Lincoln was the last casualty of the Civil War. Like Washington, Lincoln is often considered the best President in US history.

5. Dwight D. Eisenhower

The former Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe during WWII, Eisenhower never held political office. His popularity as a military figure led to his ascension to the nations highest office in 1953. Eisenhower pioneered the construction of highways throughout the country, supported the ruling of Brown V. Board of Education and asserted a strong foreign policy. During his Presidency, Alaska and Hawaii were admitted to the Union. Eisenhower proved to be an able commander in chief and was well liked during his Presidency.



Other notables include: Chester A. Arthur, Theodore Roosevelt, Barack Obama, Andrew Jackson, Franklin D. Roosevelt and W00drow Wilson.