Presidents and the West

 

Joe Biden numbers forty-six on an ever-lengthening line of U. S. presidents. Ask anybody who served first in the office and they’ll name George Washington. But then ask them to  name a few more in the order of their service and the hemming and hawing begins. I had a college professor who had us memorize them, so I could recite them at the time. Bear in mind that was in 1963 when John F. Kennedy numbered only the 35th. 

   For those who know the long line, take it another step and list the big events or accomplishments each president achieved. Then take it one last step. What impact did each have on the development of the region we call the West? Different historians compile varying lists that don’t always agree in names or numbers. We’ll decide who should be included and make our own list.

   1. Thomas Jefferson - The fact of his Louisiana Purchase in 1803 has been taught early in our schools and can’t be argued with. It doubled the size of the country at the time. Who knew the future president James Monroe negotiated the deal when he served as Jefferson’s emissary to France? 

   2. Abraham Lincoln - He did more than free the slaves. He spurred Congress to establish the Homestead Act  where settlers could claim 160 acres of surveyed government land; the Morrill Act that allowed for the creation of land-grant colleges in U.S. states using the proceeds of federal land sales; and the Pacific Railroad Act promoted the construction of a transcontinental railroad by authorizing the issuance of government bonds and the grants of land to railroad companies.

   3. James K. Polk -  From his presidential action we can say, “from sea to shining sea.” He saw successful completion of his major goals, a couple of which were to secure the Oregon Territory from Great Britain and acquire the territories of California and New Mexico from Mexico with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

   4. Theodore Roosevelt -  Among other things, TR was the conservationist president and wanted lands kept away from developers and set aside for future generations. He established five national parks, sixteen national monuments, four game refuges, and fifty-one national bird reservations. He created the National Forest Service along with the Reclamation Service.

   5. Franklin D. Roosevelt -  Among many other things, after the devastating effects of the depression, FDR created several institutions that affected this homeland of ours: The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) which employed three million men over a nine year period. The Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) increased farm income by 50% by paying farmers subsidies to reduce crop production. Public Works Administration (PWA) built large-scale public works and drove America’s biggest construction effort up to that time, including dams, bridges, hospitals, and schools. We can’t forget Social Security and a national minimum wage.

   6. Dwight D. Eisenhower - He forwarded a huge plan to Congress for them to  consider and approve the National Interstate and Defense Highway Act (1956) which gave birth to our modern, interstate highway system. It was the largest public-works program in U. S. history. Eisenhower had first realized the value of good highways in 1919, when he participated in the U.S. Army's first transcontinental motor convoy from Washington, DC, to San Francisco. Again, during World War II, Eisenhower saw the German advantage that resulted from their autobahn highway network, and he also noted the enhanced mobility of the Allies, on those same highways, when they fought their way into Germany. These experiences significantly shaped Eisenhower's views on highways and their role in national defense. It is a road system many of us travel on frequently.

   7. Jimmy Carter - Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (1980) - It was, and remains to date, the single largest expansion of protected lands in history and more than doubled the size of the National Park System. It created or added to 13 national parks, 16 wildlife refuges, 2 national forests, 2 national monuments, 2 conservation areas, and 26 wild and scenic rivers. All-in-all ANILCA protected more than 104 million acres in Alaska.

   What will future presidents do? President Biden is preparing an infrastructure bill that will impact all of our lives. It’s in the arguing stage now, then negotiation. I predict something will come of it. Should any other presidents be added to the list? James Monroe and the Monroe Doctrine? LBJ’s Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act? Ronald Reagan’s stirring the conservative West? Andrew Jackson’s relocating Indians? Readers can add or delete from this list. As I stated at the beginning, this is my list.