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Ulysses S. Grant Born: April 27, 1822 Died: July 23, 1885 Political Party: Republican Term: March 4, 1869 – March 4, 1877 (two terms) Vice President: [|Schuyler Colfax] (1869-1873) (1 term) [|Henry Wilson] (1873–1875) (1 term) None (1875–1877)

Ulysses S. Grant is known mostly for his leadership and heroism during the Civil War in America. He led the Northern Union army to victory over the South to end the war. This strong, courageous, aggressive and successful General would seem like a great person to serve as the president, but because of Grant’s indecisiveness, lack of knowledge and the corrupt acts of his administration, he did not turn out to be the president everyone thought he would be. Grant did not do a very good job of bringing the country together as a whole and focused solely on his political party and his work in office. Overall, Grant deserves a C- for his time in office.

President Grant had many goals for the United States. He came to believe that the federal government had to preserve the sacrifices of the war by protecting African Americans from racist Southern governments and preventing former Confederates from retaking power. One of his main goals was to get equal freedom for African Americans and for them to gain Civil Rights. Grant wanted to finish reconstructing the South, so the country could be whole and united.

Surprisingly Grant had a very good relationship with Congress, which sadly did not reflect his presidency at all. In addition to Grant pushing for Civil Rights, he also was trying to fix the economic issues that were happening in America at the time. Together Congress and Grant had passed many Acts such as the Currency Act and the Funding Act. There was also the Force Act, Public Creation Act, General Mining Act, Timber Culture Act, the Page Act and the Resumption Act. Most of these acts worked for the people and helped with land, mining, money and immigrants. One of the most important Acts was the Desert Land Act, which began economic growth in the western part of the United States and started to industrialize it. Overall, these Acts were intended to move the country forward, but they never were very successful. Grant’s presidency never took off despite the fact of all the attempts he made to get the country back on his feet.

During Grant’s time in office, there were not many positive outcomes. His most significant positive was his ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment. The Fifteenth Amendment concerned blacks’ right to vote. Many people were still against this and did not want to see it put into action. Grant sent many armed forces out to control issues between people who wanted blacks to vote and those who did not. Because of Grants forcefulness, voting has become what it is today. Any person over the age of 18, regardless of race, gender or religion is privileged to vote.

The negatives in Grant’s Administration had a more significant impact on the country. The negatives were scandalous. Numerous corrupt acts were committed by his associates and overlooked by Grant during his years in office, such as Black Friday and the Credit Mobilier. Along with the scandals, the country also suffered through the Panic of 1873. The Panic put the United States way down economically. The administration it is remembered mostly for its failures, and the corruptness of many of its members.

Grant is looked upon as someone with very positive ideals. Many presidents have followed his passion for promoting civil rights. He fought for what he believed in such as civil rights and forming the Union once again. Grant had many goals for peace throughout the country and making it work as a whole. His reconstruction of the U.S. during his time in office was very successful and his fight for nationalism was great too. Despite how amazing this all sounds, these were just goals and many problems arose during his Presidency. Grant still deserves a C- for his efforts. Because of Grant’s lack of oversight of conniving administration members and inexperience in running a government, his Presidency did not run smoothly or have great success. Bibliography

"American President: Ulysses S. Grant: A Life in Brief." //Miller Center of Public Affairs //. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2009. <[]>.

Degregorio, William A. //The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents //. 3rd ed. Avenel: Wings Books, 1984. Print.


 * "Ulysses S. Grant - Life & Career." **//Welcome to the Website of the Grant Monument Association //**. Web. 12 Nov. 2009. <[]>. **