The Presidents

WASHINGTON to MONROE: 1789-1825 -- During the heady days of the Constitutional Era, America's Founding Fathers set the future of a nation on its course. Washington helps define the Presidency that evolves through Monroe's administration, while Adams sees the country through the XYZ Affair and Jefferson signs the Louisiana Purchase.

JOHN Q. ADAMS to POLK: 1825-1849 -- In a period of rapid growth for the nation and contentious politics in Washington, Jackson heralds in the era of the Common Man and Manifest Destiny. Quincy Adams threatens to undo the virtues of American politics, while the economy tumbles during Van Buren's term. Harrison dies in office and Polk declares war on Mexico.

TAYLOR to LINCOLN: 1849-1865 -- The most volatile period in U.S. history leads to the American Civil War. From the rough style of Taylor -- the second president to die in office -- and the relative ineffectiveness of Fillmore and Pierce, to the near treason of Buchanan's administration, and Lincoln's shocking assassination.

CLEVELAND to TAFT: 1885-1913 -- During an era of unbridled economic growth called the Gilded Age, Cleveland becomes the first president to serve two non-consecutive terms, McKinley is assassinated, Teddy Roosevelt launches an all-out anti-trust assault on Big Money monopolies, and Taft becomes estranged from his mentor and friend, Teddy Roosevelt.

WILSON to FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT: 1913-1945 -- While America emerges as a super-power, Wilson promises to "make the world safe for democracy," Harding's administration is wracked by scandal, Coolidge ushers the nation to a dangerous economic precipice that leaves Hoover with the Great Depression -- which finally ends as FDR leads the nation through WWII.