Who Do You Think Was a Better President: Abraham Lincoln or George Washington?

[Stoner710]

My take is that both of these men are brilliant and their legacy as well live on as long as human history well.

George Washington grew up in Virginia you serve in the British military during the French and Indian war. He was a slave owner but in as will he put died all of his slaves were to be set free is why I followed in his example. This is a man who could have declared herself king of America. This is the man who fought for American independence and one he was the only president to get a unanimous vote I feel the most historians feel like the biggest part of his legacy as president was that he stepped down and gave credibility four corners were performing at the greatest experiment of all time.

Abraham Lincoln was raise it now Illinois became a lawyer was an abolitionist he was a Backwood present and he came from poverty unlike Washington. I soon as Abraham Lincoln was elected the south left the union. Abraham Lincoln fought The Civil War not on the front lines like Washington. And originally had no intention of fraying the slaves in but realize that that was the biggest issue the South had the north was just gonna voted out anyway which is right. And obviously the south didn't want that and to get blacks to fight for The union Lincoln entice them and promised to give them freedom he was a man of his word. Eventually United States remain as a whole and slavery was abolished in the United States Andrew Johnson really screwed up he was a Democrat by the way.

But if Lincoln was not assassinated and Woodward Wilson was never elected we might be living in a time with no racism Or very little of it. Teddy Roosevelt who is a Republican and invited Booker T. Washington to the White House and receive a major criticism for it but and therefore he never had another black person to the White House again. Wilson denied African Americans the right to fight for their country he denied them the right to vote he got us through WW1 but he was horrible when it came to race relations. Next time you see a Democrat thank them for being racist.

[Anonymous]

MLK wans't a republican. He was very critical of both the Democratic and Republican party.

[Stoner710]

He was a republican. And was critical of both party's

[Opinion Owner]

thinkprogress.org/.../

He wasn't. You can say otherwise all you want but wishful thinking isn't reality

[Stoner710]

So basically what I was taught in high school middle school and collage is a lie. I just look it up again he was neither I swear any school that teaches lie should be blown up with the people teaching lies in if

[Opinion Owner]

A lot of shit people are taught in elementary is a lie. It's not always them intentionally telling a lie. Internet wasn't as common until the last two decades. It's harder to fact check stuff before the internet.

[Stoner710]

Internet isn't always right either especially since we have the 3 biggest liers on it and they are call fox CNN and MSNBC

[Messianic_Monk]

This is such a tricky question.

I did a presidential ranking and had Lincoln and Washington tied for first. Here's what I would say:

Lincoln did what was in my opinion, much more profound and important things for this country culturally as well as worldwide. Freeing the slaves, setting the stage for equal rights with black people, inventing the American dream. But he also did some very suspect things during his presidency like suspending Habeas Corpus without consent from congress, censoring the press in the north, etc.

Washington did great things in his presidency... but I don't think they can really compare to the ground-breaking things that Lincoln did. But I feel that his administration had fewer objectionable things to it than Lincoln's did.

Once you average it all out, I feel like Lincoln and Washington are neck and neck in terms of being the best president ever.

[Stoner710]

I like how you’re answering this question after many years of this being on the website, I appreciate it to be honest.

Both of them contributed very very highly to the culture and creed of the American system. After further reflection, I would say Washington is.0000000001 (1 googolplex to the power of 1 googolplex years later of writing 0s) is better than Lincoln. Simple because he stepped down after 2 terms even somebody like doctor Sun Yet Sen (China) was trying to implement what Washington did Dr. Sun didn’t take power after an entire revolution, which probably would’ve prevented China from becoming communist. Washington excepted his role as a leader, even though he was not interested in politics, or being the leader of a country.. Which definitely is a confirmation of the argument that l greatness is not born, but greatness is thrust upon you. Washington could’ve become king of America, but he became president and step down as quiet. I think he is a googolplex to the googolplex power better than Lincoln and yes, I’m using a googolplex percentage because the Washington administration really didn’t do much Lincoln administration, had a massive in impact, not only on the United States, but worldwide except communist China

[Messianic_Monk]

And I don't think I would argue with that because those are all valid points 👍🏾 Washington is really awesome and I won't tell anyone they're wrong to think that Washington or Lincoln is better.

What I WILL say is that if Lincoln didn't commit some of the borderline unconstitutional things that he did (operating very often without consent from congress, ignoring various court rulings) he would make a strong case to be the unquestionable goat of our presidents. But because of all that I gotta ding him for it.

Funny how we debate whether Washington or Lincoln are better... both had to navigate a vulnerable country through a dangerous war that if won would fundamentally change the country for the better and lead it in the direction of moral enlightenment. Washington and his gang declared that all men are equal and Lincoln upheld and enforced that. Both had to face enemies that did not believe that.

[Stoner710]

This is very true. To be fair but we have changed a lot from the first president to now. The idea of checks and balances were a lot different. The idea was congress passes the laws the count interprets the laws and president effectuates the law. All 3 branches could check the other. Washington not upholding some court decision was constitutional back then.

Andrew Jackson was told the Indian removal act wasn’t constitutional Andrew Jackson said who’s going to stop be. FDR was told the japan interment was unconstitutional FDR ignored it. Even the president today could ignore the gay marriage decision today. Gonna be a lot more backlash today then they would be during Washington’s time because the constitution is interpreted way different than it was back then

[Hiphopcountrygirl]

I think both