George Washington served as a modest executive and helped grow public support for the presidency

He set numerous precedents such as assembling a cabinet, serving 2 terms, and holding a somewhat isolationist stance towards foreign policy

He exercised and helped define executive powers as the first president, and used various diplomatic powers, especially with Native American tribes. He held back on legislative powers, preferring to avoid vetos and let Congress do its work. He filled all the roles, but especially the first "Chief Executive" and "Representative of Nation"

Thomas Jefferson was a strong believer in the Constitution, and initially aimed to cut down government spending. However, he also stretched the powers of the presidency

He completed the Louisiana purchase and fought the Barbary pirates without Congressional approval, and used the U.S. military against the interests of the people for the sake of negotiations

He expanded the scope of the President's military, executive, and diplomatic powers, and also somewhat reduced the formality of the office. He was a strong "Commander in Chief" and a new "Representative of Nation"

Seen as a war hero and popular with the working class, Jackson brought significant new energy to the presidency

He used the veto more than any other president, frequently battling with Congress for control. He also tried to end the Bank of the United States by cutting its funding

Jackson expanded the president's legislative powers and could be seen as the strongest "Chief Agenda Setter" to date

Going to unprecedented lengths to keep the nation united, Abraham Lincoln was a hero and still controversial

He ignored numerous Constitutional provisions, assembling a militia, expanding the armed forces, suspended habeas corpus, and arrested people/seized property without warrant

As the one who kept the U.S. together through the Civil War, he could be seen as a powerful "Commander in Chief" and "Representative of Nation"

Respected by the people and progressive in his views on the environment and big business, Roosevelt believed that the president should be a "good steward" to the American people

He expanded the Monroe Doctrine and sent the U.S. Navy around the world; one notable accomplishment was the acquisition of property for the Panama Canal. He used the president's "bully pulpit" to advance messages to citizens and Congress alike. He also introduced the idea of executive orders and executive agreements (alternative to treaties).

He expanded the president's military, executive, and diplomatic powers, making him a powerful "Chief Executive"

Known for bringing the U.S. into WW1, he expanded the president's role in foreign diplomacy and at home

He revived the State of the Union address to help set the agenda in Congress, also drafting and campaigning for legislation himself, and led the U.S. into ww1 to help make the world "safe for democracy."

For his expansion of the presidency's military powers, he could be seen as an early "Chief of State," and a "Chief Agenda Setter" for his expansion of legislative powers

Known for his ability to connect with the public, he led the U.S. through significant turmoil, completely changing the president's role in doing so

In order to escape the Great Depression, he passed minimum wage, created social security, started public works programs, and more. During WW2, he acted as a strong commander in chief who the public rallied behind, even getting elected to additional terms beyond the precedented 2

Roosevelt changed the presidency in the public eye and in relation to the rest of government, making him important in nearly every role

Known for his numerous social programs aimed at building a "Great Society," Johnson signed key legislation like the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights act into law

Johnson also escalated the United States' involvement in the Vietnam War, expanding the president's military powers

Johnson served as an important "Chief Agenda Setter," "Commander in Chief," and "Representative of Nation"

Richard Nixon is known for expanding the President's diplomatic powers through his visit to China and negotiations with the Soviet Union. He also signed important environmental legislation like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act

Nixon used vetos and impoundment of funds as methods of pushing Congress towards a certain agenda, expanding the president's legislative powers

The Watergate Scandal, which Nixon is also known for, showed that he had abused powers of the executive branch to make political gains, leading to later reforms by Congress

Bush is known for enacting increased surveillance as a result of the 9/11 attacks, and for launching the War on Terror, both of which expanded the president's military powers

Bush promoted the idea of a "Unitary Executive," in which the president is a powerful Chief Executive with less oversight from Congress

Bush's administration set new precedents for national security and surveillance, many of which are actively being debated today.