10. Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt is remembered for steering the United States through the Great Depression and World War II, leaving an indelible mark on American history. Yet, his presidency is also stained by the internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII—a policy that uprooted and incarcerated over 100,000 innocent people. This decision, widely condemned today, exposes the troubling side of FDR’s wartime leadership. The National Archives offers a detailed look at this dark chapter, reminding us that even revered leaders can make grave mistakes.
