tem". In his second term he became the first President to use economic sanctions against a foreign power, with the embargo act of 1807, in order to achieve a goal. With the exception of the Louisiana Purchase, Jefferson’s administration was a negative presidency in that it rolled back federal policies. His economic policies enabled future presidents to use the foreign treaty powers as a weapon in diplomatic negotiations with other countries without interference from congress.In the election that ended the “Era of good feelings”(1824) John Q. Adams won the presidency. While he was not a very powerful president himself, he is responsible for the beginning of the legislative role of the presidency. He believed the role of the president was to be a steward of the people and favored a loose interpretation of the constitution. He advocated internal improvements such as better roads, canals, schools, and a better army and navy. The action of Adams in an attempt to get the federal government to finance those projects is the basis that is used to legitimize federal funding even today. Andrew Jackson is arguably one of the most influential presidents in history. He believed that government had a social obligation to the people and that it was the most democratic branch. He was the first president to create a grassroots political party and used its strong public support to tie the Electoral College to the popular vote among other things. He used the power of the presidency in a manner that no previous president had by influencing legislation with threat of a veto. James K. Polk is the first dark horse candidate to win the presidency and in spite of this fact he was still able to significantly expand the power of the office. He believed in being a steward of the people and maintaining strong executive power. By paying close attention to the budget and setting a budgetary agenda he was able to increase the power of the presidency a...
