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George Washington is not often thought of as a scandalous president, but even he could not get away from some rumors. This included having been accused of fathering children out of wedlock, something not acceptable to 18th-century norms. However, one documented scandal did great problems for him and may have contributed to his somewhat early death. The Jay Treaty was a treaty signed in 1795 between the United States Government and Great Britain, which helped establish a firmer peace between the two countries at the time. The treaty gave Britain favored trading status and this greatly angered France, the ally of the United States, and led to a split among US politicians, with Jefferson accusing Washington of treason. The Jeffersonian party saw this as a power grab by the Hamiltonians; in Washington's own farewell address he warned against party politics and the influence of political parties(Figure 1).<ref>For more on the Jay Treaty, see: Estes, T. (2006). <i>The Jay Treaty debate, public opinion, and the evolution of early American political culture</i>. In Political Development of the American Nation. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press.</ref>
Andrew Johnson is known as the president who came closest The wives of Jackson's cabinet refused to being impeached. His relationship socialize with Congress was so fractious that he even refussed O'Neale, leading to carry out laws they had passed, resulting in continous problems between the president Jackson becoming angry with his cabinet and Congress. He also fired officials despite scolding them for not having been warrned he could not and repeatly created crises their wives socialize with congressional leadersO'Neale. In factEventually, his violation Jackson's entire cabinet resigned, as they saw Eaton's relationship as scandalous for the moral standards of the Tenure of Office Actday.<ref>For more on John Eaton and how this scandal affect Jackson, which gave authority to Congress for removing certain office holderssee: Marszalek, is what led to impeachmentJ. F. (2000). <i>The scandle did not reflect well on Congress eitherpetticoat affair: manners, mutiny, as it was seen by the wider public as an attempt by Republicans to assert their authority on the President rather than being a legitimate reason for the impeachementand sex in Andrew Jackson’s White House</i>. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press. </ref>
Perhaps among the biggest scandals of 19th century American presidents involved Grover Cleveland. In 1884, he ran for president Andrew Johnson is known as a clean, moral president and was labeled as "Grover the GoodPresident who came closest to being impeached." The reality His relationship with Congress was so fractious that he even refused to carry out laws they had fathered an illegitimate child years earlier. The woman passed, resulting in question was Maria Halpin, a widow. Cleveland quickly admitted to continuous problems between the affair once it was revealed president and said Congress. He also fired officials despite having been warned he even took care of the child in question by finding a family to adopt the child, even though he stated he was could not sure he was the father of the child and Halpin had been accused of being repeatedly created crises with other mencongressional leaders. Cleveland said he was being gallant for taking responsibility for the child even if he was not sure he was the father. HalpinIn fact, on his violation of the other handTenure of Office Act, accused him of having forced her which gave authority to give up the child and had effectively bribed his way out of the issue by making the child disappear from political scrutiny. This scandal occurred mostly during the campaign and Congress for removing certain office holders, is what led to a very close election that Cleveland was able to win perhaps through some clever spinning by making it look like he was ultimately trying to help the childimpeachment.
==From World War I The scandal did not reflect well on Congress either, as it was seen by the wider public as an attempt by Republicans to assert their authority on the President rather than being a legitimate reason for the Cold War==impeachment.<ref>For more on Johnson's various conflicts with Congress, see: McKitrick, E. L. (1988). <i>Andrew Johnson and Reconstruction</i>. New York: Oxford University Press.</ref>
Herbert Hoover was President from 1929-1933. Unfortunately Halpin, on the other hand, accused him of having forced her to give up the child for him, this was perhaps some adoption and Cleveland had effectively bribed his way out of the worst economic years in US historyissue by paying to have the child taken by adoptive partents and away from political scrutiny. The Great Depression It was likely not caused by him, but bad enough to force the public needed someone child to blame be taken away from Halpin and to then try to hide the President often is the first story, but Cleveland was able to get blamed. Howeverpush his version of events, what made it worse for him is that World War I veteransperhaps through some clever spinning, who were made jobless by the Great Depression, conducted a protest because they were promised pay bonuses that they never received. Hoover sent a general, by the name of Douglas MacArthur, he was trying to break up do the demonstrationhonorable thing in a difficult situation. Unfortunately, This scandal occurred mostly during the general seemed campaign and led to be informed a very close election that a group of socialists Cleveland was protesting rather than former soldiers who were made joblessable to win.<ref>For more on Cleveland and his scandals, see: Lachman, C. This led him to be far harsher than he might have otherwise been in breaking up the protest(2011). Once <i>A secret life: the public heard about thissex, the public became even more negative lies and scandals of Hoover and this easily paved the way for Franklin Roosevelt to become PresidentGrover Cleveland</i>. New York: Skyhorse Pub.</ref>
During the years after ====From World War II, Harry Truman faced allegations of corruption when an investigation discovered widespread impropriety at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Overall, this led I to the firing of 166 employees at the IRSCold War====[[File:Teapotdomei13. While nothing directly implicated Truman, this continued to haunt his administrationjpg|thumb|left|Figure 2. The next Tea Pot Dome scandal was perhaps one of the biggest corruption scandals involving a President's administration, that of Dwight D. Eisenhower, faced numerous allegations of corruption, mainly ]]Perhaps the most notorious scandal to occur early in the form of gifts given to administration officials that may have derived from tax payments 20th century occurred during the curtailed presidency of the federal budgetWarren Harding. One person called to account for this The Teapot Dome scandal was Richard Nixon, who was Eisenhowera scandal involving bribes taken by members of Harding's Vice-President at administration in exchange for oil held in reserve by the US government (Figure 2). It involved oil reserves that the timeUS government held in Wyoming that it began illegally leasing out to private companies. He had been The scandal affected Harding directly because he was accused of taking $18having let the scandal occur and possibly being involved in bribery. Nevertheless,000 giftsHarding would die while in office, but his administration would continue to be accused of corruption even after he disputed this and said he only received a dog as a gift from anyone during his time in officehad died. After Eisenhower was John F<ref>For more on the Teapot Dome scandal, see: McCartney, L. Kennedy(2009). His scandals involve mainly accusations of affairs he had from <i>The Teapot Dome Scandal: how big oil bought the well-known case of Marilyn Monroe Harding White House and tried to his own personal secretariessteal the country</i> (Random House trade pbk. ed). He was mostly able to evade these accusations until his assassinationNew York: Random House Trade Paperbacks.</ref>
==Recent Scandals==Herbert Hoover was President from 1929-1933. Unfortunately for him, this was perhaps some of the worst economic years in US history. The Great Depression was likely not caused by him, but the public needed someone to blame and the President often is the first to get blamed. However, what made it worse for him is that World War I veterans, who were made jobless by the Great Depression, conducted a protest, what became known as the Bonus Riot, because they were promised pay bonuses that they never received. Hoover sent a general, by the name of Douglas MacArthur, to break up the demonstration. Unfortunately, the general seemed to be informed that a group of socialists was protesting rather than former soldiers who were made jobless. This led him to be far harsher than he might have otherwise been in breaking up the protest. Once the public heard about this, the public became even more negative of Hoover and this easily paved the way for Franklin Roosevelt to become President.<ref>For more on Hoover and his handling of veteran protesters, see: Lisio, D. J. (1994). <i>The President and protest: Hoover, MacArthur, and the Bonus Riot</i> (2nd ed). New York: Fordham University Press. </ref>
Lydon Johnson mostly had to contend with During the years after World War II, Harry Truman faced allegations of corruption when an unpopular war in Vietnaminvestigation discovered widespread impropriety at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). However, after he had left officeOverall, this led to the revelation firing of 166 employees at the Pentagon Papers by IRS. While nothing directly linked Truman to this, this continued to haunt his administration. The next administration, that of Dwight D. Eisenhower, faced numerous allegations of corruption, mainly in the Washington Post indicated he had extensively lied form of gifts given to administration officials that may have derived from tax payments and money from the American public about its involvement in Vietnamfederal budget. But even One person called to account for this was overshadowed by the next President, Richard Nixon, who had ordered the breakwas Eisenhower's Vice-in on the Democratic National Committee offices in President at the Watergate complex in Washington DCtime. While the story He had been accused of this is well knowntaking $18,000 gifts, the coverup with but he disputed this scandal, and said he only received a dog as with many others, is what often gets a President gift from anyone during his time in troubleoffice. After Eisenhower was John F. Kennedy. Nixon repeatedly evaded and refused to hand over evidence about His scandals involve mainly accusations of affairs he had from the breakwell-in and this ultimately led Congress known case of Marilyn Monroe to begin formal impeachment proceedings on himhis own personal secretaries. This threat He was enough for him mostly able to resign evade these accusations until his assassination.<ref>For more on the early Cold War presidents and leave office as the only President who has resignedtheir alleged scandals, see: Klein, W. (2010). This also led to <i>The inside stories of modern political scandals: how investigative reporters have changed the next scandal, which was Gerald Ford's unconditional pardoning course of NixonAmerican history</i>. This prevented Nixon from being tried or being brought before Congress for any testimony on his actionsSanta Barbara, Calif: Praeger. </ref>
The Regan administration is best known for the Iran====Recent Scandals====<dh-Contra Affairad/>Lydon Johnson mostly had to contend with an unpopular war in Vietnam. However, after he had left office, which saw arm sales the revelation of the Pentagon Papers by the Washington Post indicated he had extensively lied to Iran being used to fund antithe American public about its involvement in Vietnam. But even this was overshadowed by the next President, Richard Nixon, who had ordered the break-Communist fighters in Nicaraguaon the Democratic National Committee offices in the Watergate complex in Washington DC. These fighters were accused While the story of numerous war crimes and this is well known, the fact that the actions violated US sanctions on Iran coverup with this scandal, as with many others, is what often gets a President in trouble. Nixon repeatedly evaded and refused to hand over evidence about the act itself was done break-in secret by Regan administration officials and this ultimately led Congress to begin formal impeachment proceedings on him. This threat was enough for him to accusations against resign and leave office as the only Presidentwho has resigned. Regan was never directly linked, but the fact his administration This also tried led to prevent papers and other documents the next scandal, which was Gerald Ford's unconditional pardoning of Nixon. This prevented Nixon from being sent to tried or being brought before Congress for an investigation led to accusations against any testimony on his actions.<ref>For more on the Pentagon Papers, see: Ellsberg, D. (2003). <i>Secrets: a memoir of Vietnam and the PresidentPentagon papers</i>. New York: Penguin Books.</ref>
After NixonThe Regan administration is best known for the Iran-Contra Affair, perhaps which saw arm sales to Iran being used to fund anti-Communist fighters in Nicaragua. These fighters were accused of numerous war crimes and the second most well remembered scandal was fact that the Monica Lewinsky affair during Clinton's time as President. Similar to Nixon, actions violated US sanctions on Iran and the coverup of the affair act itself was done in secret by Regan administration officials led to Congress investigation further and ultimately drawing articles of impeachment accusations against him for perjurythe President. UltimatelyRegan was never directly linked, Clinton triumphed against the impeachment but made this among the most memorable scandals of fact his time. During the presidency of Geogre W. Bush, perhaps the Iraq war administration also tried to prevent papers and events related other documents from being sent to how the war was sold Congress for an investigation led to accusations against the public might be the biggest scandalsPresident. It did lead to <ref>For more on Regan and the arrest and jail time for one administration officialIran-Contra Affair, Scooter Libbysee: Wroe, for having leaked a name of a CIA opperative who was the wife of a prominent Iraq war criticA. (1991). Accusations also revolved around how much did the Bush administration know before they launched the war <i>Lives, lies and if they lied to start the warIran-Contra affair</i>. London; New York: I.B. Tauris & Co.</ref>
==Conclusions==After Nixon, perhaps the second most well-remembered scandal in recent history was the Monica Lewinsky affair during Clinton's time as President. Similar to Nixon, the coverup of the affair led to Congress investigating further and ultimately drawing articles of impeachment against him for perjury. Ultimately, Clinton triumphed against the impeachment but made this among the most memorable scandals of his time. During the presidency of George W. Bush, perhaps the Iraq war and events related to how the war was sold to the public might be among the biggest scandals of the administration.
Admin moved page What is the History of US Presidential Scandals? to What is the History of US Presidential Scandals
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[[File:Jay's-treaty.jpg|thumbnail|left|250px|Figure 1. The Jay Treaty was perhaps the first scandal to directly affect a sitting President. ]]
Presidential scandals, in all countries, have a long history and this is the case in the United States. Such history has included affairs, corruption, and various crimes and misdemeanors. Some of the scandals are hard to believe even, yet the American public has often been forgiving, as history shows.
====The Early Presidents====George Washington is not often thought of as a scandalous president, but even he could not get away from some rumors. This included having been accused of fathering children out of wedlock, something not acceptable to 18th-century norms. However, one documented scandal did great problems for him and may have contributed to his somewhat early death. The Jay Treaty was a treaty signed in 1795 between the United States Government and Great Britain, which helped establish a firmer peace between the two countries at the time. The treaty gave Britain favored trading status and this greatly angered France, the ally of the United States, and led to a split among US politicians, with Jefferson accusing Washington of treason.
Another early scandal , and perhaps the first major scandal involving sex, involved a cabinet member of Andrew Jackson, John Eaton, who was Secretary of Warin the so-called Petticoat affair. Eaton had just married Peggy O’Neale after his previous wife had died. O'Neale herself was a young widow and had soon married Eaton after her husband died, which led to many accusations that the two were conducting an affair prior to what was seen as a convenient death. The wives of Jackson's cabinet refused to socialize with O'Neale, leading to Jackson becoming angry with his cabinet and scolding them for not having their wives socialize with O'Neale. Eventually, Jackson's entire cabinet resigned, as they saw Eaton's relationship as scandalous for the moral standards of the day.
Perhaps among the most notorious biggest scandals of 19th-century American presidents involved Grover Cleveland. This scandal also demonstrates the power of the public to occur early in give a President a pass, albeit the 20th century occurred public may have been deceived. In 1884, Cleveland ran for president as a clean, moral president and was labeled as "Grover the curtailed presidency of Warren HardingGood." The reality was he had fathered an illegitimate child years earlier. The Teapot Dome scandal woman in question was Maria Halpin, a scandal involving bribes taken by members widow. Cleveland quickly admitted to the affair once it was revealed and said he even took care of Harding's administration. It involved oil reserves that the US government had child in Wyoming that it leased out question by finding a family to private companies. The scandal affected Harding directly because adopt the child, even though he stated he was not sure he was accused the father of having let the scandal occur child and possibly Halpin had been accused of being involved in briberywith other men. Nevertheless, Harding would die while in office, but his administration would continue to be accused of corruption Cleveland said he was being gallant for taking responsibility for the child even after if he had diedwas not sure he was the father.
It did lead to the arrest and jail time for one administration official, Scooter Libby, for having leaked a name of a CIA operative who was the wife of a prominent Iraq war critic. Accusations also revolved around how much did the Bush administration know before they launched the war and if they lied to start the war.<ref>For more on Clinton and George W. Bush scandals, including media responses, see: Entman, R. M. (2012).<i> Scandal and silence: media responses to presidential misconduct</i>. Cambridge, UK ; Malden, MA: Polity Press. </ref>
====Conclusion====
The last two presidents, Obama and Trump, have also had various accusations of scandals. For Obama, the biggest may have been the storming and killing of the US ambassador in Libya, where the administration was accused of a cover-up. For Trump, many accusations, including affairs, corruption, treason, and other crimes and impropriety, have been leveled but to this day nothing has been formally established. Throughout US history, we see that Presidents are often held to a high ethical standard. When they fail, it can be disastrous to their political careers but the public has also shown itself to be forgiving, such as the case of Clinton and Cleveland show, with Cleveland winning another term after his scandal became public.
====References====<references/>[[Category:Wikis]] [[Category:United States History]] [[Category:19th Century History]] [[Category:20th Century History]]
