Who is the most important historical figure in American History?

Question

The choices are broad and many, but everyone may have a strong opinion.

Answer 1

I would say lincoln. This is because while the founding fathers (and many others) created the united states, it truly was a group effort. As much as they've tried to simplify it down to one great Law-Giver, the absolute truth of the matter is that removing just one founding father would have led to an america so different we'd barely recognize it.

The civil war created modern america. Practically every defining characteristic of modern america (as opposed to the early republic) came about during the Civil War. The civil war was definitely a turning point; what interests me is the fact that it can be viewed as a delayed triumph of the federalists over the antifederalists. (I say this because in the early part of the century, the federalists seem to have lost on all accounts. But by the end of the civil war, it was the federalist/hamiltonian view that won out). Ok, so that is why I think the Civil War is important. So then, why Lincoln? Obviously no one person can be singled out for explaining why it turned out as it did. In fact, there are many people and many points where you could throw the whole thing into question by positing that they weren't there. Yet I think Lincoln was the biggest example of the right person in the right place at the right time.

There is no way I could go into that in detail...it'd take far too long. But let me just say, Lincoln's ideals (which evolved, something people forget when they use things he said in 1850 to condemn him), his pragmatism, his sense of timing, and his growth as a president...his grasp of strategy, his ability to communicate and inspire... and the fact that he was an extremely capable politician...you just can't get beyond it. Had Lincoln not been president, I don't know that the union would have won. Oh, for sure, it would have had the ability, but whether that ability would have been utilized.... and whether the outcome would be the same (say, the 13th-15th amendments, all that remained after the failure of reconstruction and the counter revolution of the redeemers)... well, I have to say he shaped America more than any other single individual in American History.


(off what someone said above: As to the story about Washington and kingship: it is based off a roman republican legend... the actual history is much more interesting. The young republic was foundering, mostly due to the fact that the federal government was more than broke, and had no way to get money out of the states. And for many reasons, this was leading to disaster. Alexandar Hamilton and others were concerned by this but were frustrated by the fact the states would not recognize that there was a problem. So they started a quasi-conspiracy. Hamilton convinced certain army officers to make moves and statements that would suggest that the army was getting....restless from the fact they were not being paid. Washington caught word of the conspiracy, and rushed to put a stop to it. Whatever their intentions, you can see how the threat of military coup would be a bad precedent to set. He masterly shamed the officers into giving up the plan... mostly by making oblique reference to the sacrifices he had made). ....

Answer 2

Lincoln

Answer 3

Gotta go with George Washington on this one. My favorite story about him was that after we won our independence everyone wanted to make him king, and he easily could have done it, but he said that is what they had been fighting for was to get away from was a king. Most would have taken being a king right away, but he did what was best for the country.

Answer 4

Martin Luther King.

Answer 5

Ronald Regan, A charismatic political leader just when we needed one, not afraid to say what he means. Made the Berlin Wall fall and ultamiately the USSR collapse because of his demands of democracy. He dislikes walls very much is the main point

Answer 6

For me, it is a toss up between Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin. You have asked a tough question, and you will get varied answers. I just hope Brittany Spears isn't one of them.

Answer 7

Historians would say Jefferson, Washington, and Lincoln.

Pop Historians would say Oprah.

Answer 8

Erm... Washingtion? though Ben Franklin is pretty important too

Answer 9

Lincoln or Washington but Blacks will say MLKing

Answer 10

Roosevelt, he pulled the country up from depression