Not all fun and games
Who were the least-liked presidents in the history of the US?
Image: Sora Shimazaki
Becoming President of the United States is a tremendous honor, but it's not always a bed of roses. For one reason or another, quite a few who made it to the Oval Office weren't exactly well-liked or left office with reputations that are, at best, debatable. Historians haven’t overlooked Herbert Hoover’s inaction during the Great Depression, just as the public hasn't forgotten Nixon's role in the Watergate scandal. Join us as we take a look at 10 presidents often considered among the least popular in American history!
1
Richard Nixon (1969–1974)
Image: History in HD
One of the most controversial presidents in US history, Richard Nixon, led the country from 1969 to 1974. Although it's true that Nixon was indeed popular for his foreign policy achievements before the Watergate scandal, his involvement in that unforgettable episode forced him to resign, making him the first and only US president to step down from office.
2
Herbert Hoover (1929–1933)
Image: Tomasz Zielonka
Judging a president goes beyond assessing their decisions: a lack of empathy for the people they serve can be just as damaging. Herbert Hoover was president when the Great Depression began, following the stock market crash of October 1929. He maintained a largely hands-off approach that was harshly criticized as inadequate and led many to see the president as out of touch with the suffering of Americans.
3
Ulysses S. Grant (1869–1877)
Image: Library of Congress
Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th US President, was a polarizing figure. As a Union general, he played a crucial role in securing victory during the Civil War. However, during his presidency, there were several scandals related to corruption that affected his image negatively, both during his time in office and for many years afterward.
4
Andrew Johnson (1865-1869)
Image: Library of Congress
After Abraham Lincoln's assassination, Andrew Johnson served as the US president from 1865 to 1869, just six weeks after becoming Lincoln's vice president. It was a critical period in American history, and he is remembered for opposing many Reconstruction efforts . He even vetoed several key congressional initiatives, including the Civil Rights Act of 1866, though Congress overrode many of his vetoes. In 1868, Johnson became the first US president to be impeached.
5
James Buchanan (1857-1861)
Image: Library of Congress
Often ranked among the least popular presidents, James Buchanan led the nation during a period of deep internal division, just before Abraham Lincoln took office. Despite the growing tensions, he chose to stay out of the conflict. He's most often criticized for his inaction as Southern states began seceding from the Union and making only minimal efforts to prevent the Civil War.
6
Chester A. Arthur (1881–1885)
Image: Library of Congress
Some presidents aren't necessarily considered unpopular because of any specific scandal or failure, but rather they simply went unnoticed. One such figure is Chester A. Arthur, who served as president from 1881 to 1885 after the assassination of James A. Garfield. Although many historians view him as a capable and reform-minded leader, Arthur remains one of the most overlooked presidents in US history.
7
Warren G. Harding (1921–1923)
Image: Library of Congress
Warren G. Harding, the 29th President of the United States, is often regarded by historians as an ineffective leader. Although Harding himself wasn't directly involved, corruption scandals implicating members of his administration – along with his inaction in response to them–did the most damage to his reputation and legacy.
8
Millard Fillmore (1850–1853)
Image: Pixabay
Millard Fillmore, who served as US president from 1850 to 1853, is widely criticized for decisions that deepened national divisions , most notably his signing of the Fugitive Slave Act. The law inflamed tensions in an already fractured nation, pushing the country even closer to civil conflict.
9
John Tyler (1841–1845)
Image: Joanna Kosinska
In 1841, John Tyler became the first vice president to assume the presidency following the death of a sitting president. His assumption of office was unexpected – even for himself–and his frequent clashes with Whig Party leaders didn't help his image among voters. In fact, he was expelled from the party while still in office. To make matters worse, years after his presidency, Tyler sided with the Confederacy during the Civil War.
10
Zachary Taylor (1849–1850)
Image: Library of Congress
Zachary Taylor became the 12th President of the United States in 1849, but his sudden death in July 1850 meant his time in office lasted only 16 months. While he isn't necessarily disliked, he's less remembered, partly because of his short time in office.
