This chapter looks at the lives and times of some of the great presidents in the history of the United States. George Washington, known as the Father of the Nation, and other founders, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and James Monroe come under the spotlight. Their contributions in building the United States and contradictions between their public and private lives are examined. The chapter notes that they spoke of lofty ideals such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but they sought to achieve the goal of building the nation by extreme force. They used enslaved labor to maintain their wealth and status. They knew, and often privately admitted, that injustices were being committed on slaves and that slavery was a sin. However, they were silent in public. The chapter then goes on to look at the role of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president, regarded as one of America’s greatest heroes, for guiding the Union during the Civil War and working to emancipate enslaved people.