14. James K. Polk (1845-1849)
For his vision and agenda-setting skills, Polk ranked highest. The U.S. acquired more than 800,000 square miles of western land under Polk’s leadership, extending its border to the Pacific Ocean. In 1849, Polk left office and returned to Tennessee, where he died three months after leaving the White House, true to his campaign pledge to serve only one term.
13. James Monroe (1817–1825)
For his skillful international relations, historians commended Monroe most. He established the Monroe Doctrine, which warned the Western Hemisphere not to be colonized or interfered with by European nations. Historians have generally ranked him as an above-average president.