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February 1, 2026- by Steven Greer
POTUS 11 through 20
Grok
– **11. James K. Polk** (1845–1849)
Elected in 1844 as a “dark horse” Democratic candidate. Key reason: Strong support for aggressive westward expansion (annexation of Texas and claiming all of Oregon), unifying Democrats around Manifest Destiny. **Identified as from: Tennessee** (moved there as a child; built his political career as a congressman and governor there).
– **12. Zachary Taylor** (1849–1850)
Elected in 1848 as a Whig. Key reason: Hero status as a victorious general in the Mexican-American War; appealed as a non-political figure to bridge sectional divides. **Identified as from: Virginia** (born and raised there; military career roots; though he lived in various places later, Virginia is his primary association).
– **13. Millard Fillmore** (1850–1853)
Assumed office upon Taylor’s death (not elected to the presidency). Key reason: Vice president on the 1848 Whig ticket; automatic succession. **Identified as from: New York** (born and lifelong resident; political career as state assemblyman, congressman, and comptroller there).
– **14. Franklin Pierce** (1853–1857)
Elected in 1852 as a Democrat. Key reason: Landslide amid Whig divisions; seen as a moderate “Northern man with Southern principles” to preserve party unity on slavery.
**Identified as from: New Hampshire** (born, raised, and political career there as lawyer, state legislator, congressman, and senator).
– **15. James Buchanan** (1857–1861)
Elected in 1856 as a Democrat. Key reason: Experienced moderate (Northern sympathizer to Southern views); won amid sectional tensions and Whig collapse. **Identified as from: Pennsylvania** (born and lifelong resident; long career as congressman, senator, secretary of state, and diplomat from there).
– **16. Abraham Lincoln** (1861–1865)
Elected in 1860 as a Republican. Key reason: Democratic Party split over slavery expansion allowed Lincoln to win with Northern support and anti-slavery platform. **Identified as from: Illinois** (moved there young; built career as lawyer and politician in Springfield; “The Rail Splitter” and Illinois ties central to his identity).
– **17. Andrew Johnson** (1865–1869)
Assumed office upon Lincoln’s assassination (not elected to the presidency). Key reason: Vice president on 1864 National Union ticket (Southern Democrat for wartime unity). **Identified as from: Tennessee** (born in North Carolina but lifelong Tennessee resident; tailor, congressman, governor, and senator from there).
– **18. Ulysses S. Grant** (1869–1877)
Elected in 1868 (and re-elected 1872) as a Republican. Key reason: Civil War hero status; platform of Reconstruction and peace. **Identified as from: Ohio** (born in Point Pleasant; though military life nomadic, Ohio roots and post-war association emphasized, part of “Ohio presidents” era).
– **19. Rutherford B. Hayes** (1877–1881)
Elected in 1876 as a Republican (disputed; via Compromise of 1877). Key reason: Backlash to Grant-era scandals; promise to end Reconstruction. **Identified as from: Ohio** (born and lifelong resident; Civil War general, congressman, and governor from there).
– **20. James A. Garfield** (1881)
Elected in 1880 as a Republican. Key reason: Compromise candidate; Civil War veteran status and party unity appeals. **Identified as from: Ohio** (born and raised there; teacher, Civil War general, congressman from Ohio district).