Significant Presidents of the United States The president of the United States is the person who is elected to be the head of state and government. The president is also the commander and chief of the armed forces. There have been a total of 44 presidents in the United States since 1789 to present. I believe the most significant US presidents in the period from 1797-1841 were James Madison, James Monroe and Andrew Jackson. President James Madison served from 1809-1817 as the fourth American President. He is a significant president because he is the father of the constitution. During his 2 terms as president he composed the first drafts of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. These documents shaped the great country we are right now. He also founded the Democratic - Republican Party, which has been called America’s first opposition political party. James Monroe served from 1817-1825. He is important to U.S history because he fought to assure a free American continent as he introduced the Monroe Doctrine. The policy stated that the Americas should be free from future European colonization. This also informed countries that the US would support their efforts to open up trade relations. Lastly Andrew Jackson was in office form 1829-1837. Jackson is significant because he was America’s most influential political figure during the political revolution. He made the presidential election the focus of public attention. He campaigned in new ways never seen before, including banquets, conferences,