It's impossible to provide a definitive "ranking" of U.S. Presidents because such rankings are inherently subjective and vary widely depending on the criteria used (e.g., leadership qualities, legislative achievements, economic impact, foreign policy, moral authority, crisis management, popular appeal, etc.) and the perspective of the historian or pollster.
However, various polls of historians, political scientists, and the public have consistently shown some presidents ranking at the top, and others frequently appearing at the bottom.
Consistently High-Ranking Presidents (Often considered "Great" or "Near Great")
These presidents frequently appear at the top of most academic and public polls:
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Abraham Lincoln: Universally praised for preserving the Union during the Civil War and abolishing slavery.
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George Washington: Revered as the nation's founder, establishing precedents for the presidency, and guiding the young republic.
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Franklin D. Roosevelt: Commended for his leadership during the Great Depression (New Deal) and World War II.
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Theodore Roosevelt: Known for his progressive reforms, conservation efforts, and "Square Deal."
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Thomas Jefferson: Lauded for the Louisiana Purchase and his vision for American democracy, despite complexities regarding slavery.
Consistently Low-Ranking Presidents (Often considered "Below Average" or "Failure")
These presidents frequently appear at the bottom of most rankings:
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James Buchanan: Criticized for his inability to prevent the secession crisis leading to the Civil War.
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Andrew Johnson: Known for his impeachment and poor handling of Reconstruction after the Civil War.
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Franklin Pierce: Presided over increasing sectional tensions that led to the Civil War, notably through the Kansas-Nebraska Act.
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Millard Fillmore: Often seen as ineffective in addressing the growing national divisions over slavery.
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Donald Trump: His presidency is too recent for a settled historical consensus, but early academic polls often place him low due to perceived challenges to democratic norms and divisive rhetoric, while public opinion on his performance remains sharply divided.
Mid-Tier and Variable Rankings
Many presidents fall into the middle, with their rankings fluctuating more based on the specific criteria and era of the poll. Presidents like Dwight D. Eisenhower, Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan often rank highly for their distinct achievements, while others like Richard Nixon (despite significant foreign policy achievements) suffer due to scandal, or certain 19th-century presidents are less remembered.
It's important to remember that these rankings are a snapshot of expert and public opinion at a given time and can evolve as historical perspectives change.