[VIDEO] Benjamin Harrison – 23rd President of the United States of America

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Benjamin Harrison
23rd President – Term: 1889-1893

Benjamin Harrison – 23rd President of the United States of America

Learn more about the 23rd President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison. This video quickly covers his background, rise to the presidency, and little discussed facts about the Commander in Chief.

Transcription:

 Benjamin Harrison was born in North Bend, Ohio, into a family with a notable political lineage—his grandfather was William Henry Harrison, the 9th U.S. President. He grew up in Indiana, where he later established a law practice. Harrison was a member of the Republican Party, and his interest in politics was sparked by his involvement in the Republican Party’s activities and his commitment to the values of the abolitionists.

Significant achievements marked Benjamin Harrison’s presidency. His aggressive foreign policy and expansive naval policy were notable, as he advocated for and oversaw the expansion of the U.S. Navy. This modernization effort transformed the Navy into a formidable force capable of safeguarding American interests globally. Domestically, his administration implemented high tariffs and the Sherman Antitrust Act, a landmark legislation to curb monopolies. His tenure also witnessed the admission of six new states into the Union, a record unmatched by any other presidency.

Benjamin Harrison was the first president to use electricity in the White House. However, he was reportedly afraid of being electrocuted and would not touch the light switches himself. Harrison’s tenure is also remembered for the ecological initiative of the first U.S. forest reservations, which laid the groundwork for national forest conservation efforts.