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Born: April 27, 1822 Died: July 23, 1885 Political Party: Republican Dates In Office: March 4, 1869 - March 4, 1877 (2 Terms) Vice President(s): Schulyer Colfax (1869-1873) Henry Wilson (1873-1875) None (1875-1877)
 * Ulysses S. Grant**

Ulysses S. Grant had some success but many failures during his presidency. Although Grant fought for African American rights using federal troops and government to help the African Americans exercise their civil rights but, the Grant Administration was very corrupt and was involed in many scandals. Therefore I think that Ulysses S. Grant deserves a C for his presidency.

One of Grant's goals was to keep civil rights for the African Americans. In 1870 Congress passed a series of laws known as the Enforcement Acts which helped protect black citizens right to vote. While white southerners used intimidation to keep black citizen's away from the polls Grant used military and federal force to allow blacks to vote freely, but he only wanted to involve the federal government to intervene in extreme cases of violence. Grant did not want to interfere with the South too much, although he sometimes provided federal troops to matiain law and order he refused to decide which state authority was right or wrong.

Grant had an okay relationship with Congress. His own administration was very corrupt because Grant wanted to surround himself with people that he trusted, causing the cabinet to be very divided. Grant relied strongly on state governments and congress over a strong executive branch. Even though Grant surrounded himself with people he "trusted" he still vetoed 93 bills causing his relationship with congress to be a mediocre one.

The most successful action taken by Grant was the Enforcement Acts of 1870. This series of laws helped enforce the rights of African Americans. Although the blacks had already been issued their freedom they were still indimidated by manily white southerners to stay segregated in every way possible. Grant even used federal troops to enforce these civil rights so that African Americans could excercise these rights freely without fear. Many African Americans were driven away from the polls when it came time to vote, by whites, this angered Grant causing him to use the federal army and government to enforce the civil rights of African Americans.

Although Grant fought for African Americans he still had a very scandolous administration known as the "Grant Administration". Many scandals were brought to light slowly revealing the corruption taking place within Grant's administration. A great amount of fraud was taking place like how the railroad companies was overcharging millions. Fraud was brought to light in every part of the nation from the mid-west to the north-east fraud was being discovered in every part of the country, and all of this was traced back to the Grant Administration.

Grant left many lasting impressions on the United States. He did believe in social equality, fighting for the rights of the minorities and greatly enforcing those rights when they were won. Also, Grant ratified the fifteenth amendment, which gave African Americans the right to vote. After the ratification of the fifteenth amendment took place women grew bolder in their statements for women to earn the right to vote, this eventually took place with the ratification of the nineteenth amendment. We still see the lasting effects of this today, now everyone eighteen and older, regardless of race or gender, has been given the right to vote. This all started with Grant ratifying the fifteenth amendment.

Considering the events that took place throughout Grant's presidency such as the fight for social justice and all of the fraud that took place within his administration I believe that Grant was neither better off or worse at the end of his term as president. The successes and the failures balance out eachother in this case. Yes, Grant did earn African American's the right to vote but also his administration was involved in many scandals and committing a great amount of fraud. Although he is remembered for fighting for social justice and equality Grant was not very true and fair when the fraud that was taking place within his administration was uncovered. Therefore, I believe that Grant deserves a C for his term as president.

Sources: "American President: Ulysses S. Grant". Miller Center of Public Affairs. April 8, 2010 .

"Ulysses S. Grant". President USA. April 8, 2010 .

"Ulysses S. Grant". The White House. April 8, 2010 [].