Shinobu Sensui

Yeah, it's some New Year's Resolution thing. We can't talk about current administrations or politics that start after the December of 1991! That's as far as I know. I just barely got here about a month ago on this forum.

Baltis

No need to hold back, tell us what you really think.

Anyway, I don't think your characterization of the 19th century Presidents is all that correct. They were just as bad about jumping into war then as the 20th century guys. Quite possibly worse. Always searching for glory and believing they would find it by killing others on a battlefield.

mikainen

You mean sending other people into battlefields.

Shinobu Sensui

You know you're right! Let's make a list!

Andrew Jackson
Abraham Lincoln (wait's for the flame war to happen)
James Polk
William McKinley


Am I missing someone? Who else started unnecessary wars?

Kotromanic

I am remembering something about the first Adams administration putting new navy ships to the test against the French fleet. I don't know whether many Americans were killed in that action, but sadly the list begins with the second American President.

tjadams

President Washington saddled the US with the Jay Treaty, Napoleon's actions
and the Quasi-War with France, led to President Adams requesting the
construction of Navy of 54 ships. Among the six frigates was the Constitution.
The Quasi-War was over pretty quickly with a small amount of US sailors losing
their lives. Most of the action was the US chasing off French privateers. This 'war' was
more of a defensive measure, not conquest, of US shipping
The new US Navy
was expensive, as James Madison predicted, and the taxes raised by Adams to pay for the navy
helped cost him re-election to Jefferson. When Jefferson becomes president, he drastically
reduced the size of the navy & cut internal taxes & wanted to remain neutral.

Rongo

Hmmm. Well this thread is about the most obscure Presidents, and I hardly think Lincoln qualifies. Why don't you start a new thread and tell us how Lincoln started an unnecessary war, and perhaps you'll get your discussion.

Shinobu Sensui

Teehee! Sorry! I forgot the thread I was in!

I think I'll follow you up on that very soon though. ;-)

Rongo

OK. I'll keep an eye out for it!

WeisSaul

James K. Polk isn't too well known. I find that strange considering it was under him that Texas, the Oregon territory and Mexican cession occurred. He made good on his promise to stretch us to the pacific, though he isn't talked about too much. Perhaps it was his unsavory tactics that keeps us from talking about him too much.