21st President · 1881–1885 · Republican
Chester A. Arthur
A machine politician who surprised everyone: began the modern steel Navy and signed civil service reform. Also signed the Chinese Exclusion Act.
OverallBGPA 2.99
The grades
- SovereigntyDid they put American interests first and keep decisions in American hands?B
- HemisphereDid they guard the Americas against rival powers and threats?B
- RestraintDid they keep the country out of wars of choice that weakened it?B+
- StatecraftDid they use diplomacy, force and alliances skillfully, on American terms?A-
- Industry and tradeDid they protect and build American industry?B+
- Working AmericansDid ordinary working families do better because of them?C+
- BuildingDid they build things that lasted and push the frontier forward?B
- NationDid they strengthen a shared American identity and the Union?C
- CompetenceWere they capable, honest and effective in office?B+
On the axes
MarketEconomyPopulist
Free tradeTradeProtectionist
RestraintForeign policyInterventionist
CosmopolitanNationNational
Dark dot: Chester A. Arthur. Red mark: the Monroe Society. Ideological closeness to the Society: 83%.