POTUS

Ulysses S. Grant: A Rundown

Overview

Ulysses S. Grant (born Hiram Ulysses Grant) was the 18th POTUS (1869-1877), serving two terms marked by both significant achievements in Reconstruction and widespread corruption within his administration. Prior to his presidency, he was a celebrated Union general who led the United States to victory in the Civil War.

Key Events and Associations

• Civil War General: Grant rose to prominence as a Union general during the Civil War.
  • Battles: He secured key victories at Vicksburg, Shiloh, and ultimately accepted the Confederate surrender from Robert E. Lee at Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse.
  • “Unconditional Surrender” Grant: His demand for unconditional surrender earned him this nickname and demonstrated his relentless pursuit of victory.
  • Appointed General-in-Chief (1864): Abraham Lincoln appointed Grant as general-in-chief of the Union Army, entrusting him with overall command.
  • Anaconda Plan: He was instrumental in implementing the Anaconda Plan, which involved blockading the South and squeezing its resources.
• Reconstruction Era President: Grant’s presidency largely focused on Reconstruction efforts in the South.
  • Military Reconstruction Act: Enforced the Reconstruction Act of 1867, using the military to oversee elections and protect Black citizens’ rights in the South.
  • Ku Klux Klan Act (1871): Aimed to suppress the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups that terrorized African Americans.
  • Enforcement Acts (1870-1871): A series of laws designed to protect Black voting rights and punish those who interfered with them.
  • Panic of 1873: A severe economic depression that plagued Grant’s second term, diverting attention and resources from Reconstruction.

Important Legislation Signed

• 15th amendment: While not directly signed into law (amendments don’t require presidential signatures), Grant strongly supported the 15th amendment, which guaranteed voting rights regardless of “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”
• Ku Klux Klan Act (1871): As mentioned above, this act was crucial in combating white supremacist violence.
• Specie Resumption Act (1875): Aimed to restore the nation to the Gold Standard after the Civil War.

Groups and Political Affiliations

• Republican Party: Grant was a staunch member of the Republicans. He relied on the support of Radical Republicans in Congress to advance his Reconstruction agenda.
• Grand Army of the Republic (GAR): A fraternal organization composed of Union veterans, the GAR was a powerful political force that supported Grant.
• Supported African American Suffrage: Grant publicly supported the rights of African Americans to vote and participate in the political process.

Impact on the Country

• Preservation of the Union: Grant’s military leadership was critical to preserving the United States during the Civil War.
• Advancement of Civil Rights (Limited): His administration took steps to protect the rights of African Americans during Reconstruction, but these efforts were ultimately undermined by resistance in the South, economic problems, and a decline in Northern support.
• Corruption and Scandals: Grant’s presidency was marred by numerous scandals, including:
  • Credit Mobilier Scandal: Involved fraudulent stock deals related to the Transcontinental Railroad.
  • Whiskey Ring: A conspiracy among distillers and government officials to defraud the government of excise taxes on whiskey.
  • Indian Ring: Government officials accepted bribes from contractors dealing with Native American affairs.
• Weakened Reconstruction: The scandals and the Panic of 1873 weakened public support for Reconstruction, ultimately contributing to its failure.
• Native American Policy: Grant implemented a “Peace Policy” toward Native Americans, aiming to assimilate them into American society. However, this policy was often undermined by corruption and violence.
• Legacy of Division: While Grant sought to unite the nation after the Civil War, his presidency highlighted the deep divisions that remained, particularly over race and economic inequality.