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 * Ulysses S. Grant**

Born: April 27, 1822 Point Pleasant, Ohio Death: July 23, 1885 Mount Gregor, New York Political Party: Republican Term: March 4, 1869-March 3, 1877 Vice President: Schuyler Colfax (1869-1873), Henry Wilson (1873-1875)

Based on Ulysses S. Grant's successes, failures, and scandals that occurred during his presidency, he appropriately deserves a C-. Succeeding Andrew Johnson, Grant was the eighteenth president of the United States, serving two consecutive terms. Grant was well qualified for the position in the opinion of America, as a former major general of the Union during the Civil War he played a critical role in the first major Union victory. In fact, the victory launched his national reputation. However, he proved to be subject to several major scandals and corruption that afflicted his presidency. Among the decisions and corruption of Grant and his administration during his presidency include scandals, the Treaty of Washington, reconstruction, the Panic of 1873, the Resumption of Specie Act, the ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment, and the admission of one state to the Union.

Prior to taking office as president, Grant served in the army during 1843-1854 and 1861-1869 rising from second lieutenant to general. He fought in the Mexican War (1846-1848) despite privately opposing the war and viewing the U.S. as the aggressors. He served in the Civil War (1861-1865) contributing to the organization of Galena volunteers and serving as mustering officer under the Illinois general. Grant was later appointed colonel of the Twenty-first Illinois infantry, stationed in Missouri. As commander he captured Fort Donelson, Tennessee, the first major Union victory and one that launched Grant’s national reputation.

During his administration, Grant sought to bring the greatest good to the greatest number, a situation to be embarked upon in the absence of prejudice, hate, or sectional pride. Nominated for the presidency unanimously by the Republicans, the Republican platform supported black suffrage in the South but agreed to let northern states decide for themselves whether to enfranchise blacks, opposed using greenbacks to redeem U.S. bonds, encouraged immigration and endorsed full rights for naturalized citizens, and favored radical reconstruction as distinct from the more tolerate policy of President Johnson. However, under Grant the United States gradually retreated from Reconstruction. Reconstruction state governments controlled by “carpetbaggers,” northern whites who traveled to the South with impractical motives, “scalawags,” white southerners who supported Reconstruction, as well as former slaves possessed diversified views of morality.

The relationship of Grant with Congress was in Grant’s favor. During both terms, he enjoyed the majority party in both houses of Congress, Republican from 1869-1875. However, the majority party in the House differed from Grant’s stance from 1875-1877. On multiple occasions Congress failed to enact legislation that make reforms permanent following his term of office.

During Grant’s administration, the action that had the most positive outcome was undoubtedly the Treaty of Washington signed in 1871. Under the treaty, the U.S. and Great Britain agreed to submit to international arbitration of the //Alabama// claims. Therefore, the United States suit against Britain for the damages done during the Civil War on Union warships by the //Alabama// as well as other Confederate warships originating from the ports of Britain. During a meeting in Geneva in 1871, the arbitration panel presented the United States with $15.5 million. Long term, the treaty had a significant impact on the United States relationship with Canada and Great Britain, building the foundation for the uniting of the interests of the Unites States and Britain alike.

In contrast, Grant’s administration was subject to numerous accounts of corruption. He was the first president whose administration was marked by major scandal. For example, Black Friday in which investors James Fisk and Jay Gould set out to corner the gold market. Fisk and Gould employed the president’s brother-in-law Abel R. Corbin to exercise influence with the White House, in order to ensure that the administration would not foil their scheme. They presumed to encourage speculation that Grant was in their corner. The pair began to purchase gold aggressively, causing the price to increase. Realizing that he had been deceived, Grant ordered Treasury Secretary Boutwell to sell off immediately $4 million in federal gold. Price nosedived, ending the crisis, however not before a number of investors and businesses were ruined-on Black Friday, September 24, 1869. Grant's administration was affected by at least five major scandals, all of which decreased his effectiveness as President. Nonetheless, under Grant the Fifteenth Amendment was passed in 1870, disallowing the United States government to deny a citizen the right to vote upon the basis of race, color, or “previous condition of servitude.” This amendment granted African Americans a basic right of which they had been denied of for so long. In one sense, this was a step towards uniting the nation and supported the movement of "equal" equality.

Under Grant, the nation did not prosper or make any significant gains economically, politically, or socially. Although he was thought to be qualified to be a leader of the nation, he proved to be unable to accomplish much other than be incognizant of unlawful schemes. At the conclusion of Grant’s administration corruption had largely destroyed any chance of success through his two terms. Unfortunately, he was unable to avoid the greed and corruption that characterized the very time period and his trust in certain individuals reflected poorly on his judgment. Additionally, the insecure business and political morality of the period ignited the Panic of 1873 which led to nation into yet another serious depression.

Bibliography:

"Art & History Home Origins & Development Party Division." //U.S. Senate//. Web. 07 Apr. 2011. .

DeGregorio, William A., and Sandra Lee. Stuart. //The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents//. Fort Lee, NJ: Barricade, 2009. Print.

"Ulysses S. Grant." //The White House//. Web. 07 Apr. 2011. .