Grover Cleveland

ModernPoliticianUnited States1837 — 1908

Only president to serve two non-consecutive terms.

Compare Grover Cleveland with another historical figure:

Quick Facts

Born

1837

Died

1908

Country

United States

Era

Modern

Occupation

Politician

Score Overview

Military (10%)50

Political (20%)45

Influence (20%)55

Legacy (20%)48

Leadership (15%)80

Strategy (15%)42

Total Score53.7

Grover Cleveland — Complete Timeline

1884 AD

Election as President of the United States (First Term)Political Action◆ Major

Cleveland, a Democrat, won the 1884 presidential election against Republican James G. Blaine. The campaign was marked by personal attacks, but Cleveland's reputation as a reformer helped him win a narrow victory.

Presidential ElectionDemocratic Party

Impact: national

1887 AD

Signing of the Interstate Commerce ActReform◆ Major

Cleveland signed the Interstate Commerce Act, which created the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) to regulate railroad rates and practices. This was the first federal agency to regulate private industry, marking a significant expansion of federal power over commerce.

Railroad RegulationFederal Regulation

Impact: nationalconstructive

1892 AD

Election as President of the United States (Second Term)Political Action◆ Major

Cleveland won the 1892 presidential election against incumbent Benjamin Harrison, becoming the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms. His victory was a repudiation of the McKinley Tariff and Republican economic policies.

Presidential ElectionNon-Consecutive Terms

Impact: national

1894 AD

Intervention in the Pullman StrikePolitical Action◆ Major

Cleveland ordered federal troops to break the Pullman Strike, a nationwide railroad strike led by Eugene V. Debs. The intervention was controversial, as it used federal power to suppress labor unrest, and led to Debs' imprisonment.

Labor StrikeFederal Intervention

Impact: nationaldestructive