Ulysses S. Grant 1869-1877

1. Ulysses S. Grant1869-1877 Republican Birthplace: Ohio Born: April 27, 1822 Died: July 23, 1885

2. Family Ties • Father: Jesse Root Grant (operated a successful tannery in point pleasant) • Mother: Hannah Simpson Grant • 5 children; 3 girls & 2 boys • Grant was the first child • 1832 family moves to Ohio. • Wife: Julia Boggs Dent (daughter of a St. Louis merchant and slaveholder) - 4 children; 3 sons and one daughter

3. Military Career • Graduated from West Point • In 1846, Grant served with General Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott during the war with Mexico. • By the end of the war he was promoted to 1st lieutenant. • Continued serving the military until 1854 and tried farming. • Had a hard time and eventually had to sell the farm. • He did not join the army until 1861 with the outbreak of the civil war

4. U.S. Civil War • At the beginning of the Civil War, Grant rejoined the military as a colonel of the 21st Illinois Infantry. • Captured Fort Donelson, Tennessee in February 1862 [first major Union victory] • He was promoted to major General • In March 1864, he was made the commander of all Union forces • After the war, he served as secretary of war (1867-1868)

5. Rise to Presidency • Grant was unanimously nominated by the Republicans in 1868. • Republicans supported black suffrage in the south and a less lenient form of reconstruction than that espoused by Andrew Jackson • Grant was opposed by Democrat Horatio Seymour • In the end, Grant received 53% of the popular vote and 72% of the electoral vote • In !872, Grant was easily renominated and won over Horace Greeley despite the many scandals that occurred during his administration.

6. Life After the Presidency • After Grant retired from the presidency, he and his wife travelled throughout Europe, Asia and Africa. • Grant then was struck by financial disaster • As a way to generate money, Grant accepted an offer from Century Magazine to write articles about his experiences in the Civil War. • And then decided to write memoirs

7. Domestic Affairs • Reconstruction-The Civil War was over, and the country was grappling worth how to rebuild and reunite in the war’s aftermath. • Fiscal Policy-During the Civil War, the government had issued an excess of paper money, known as greenbacks, to finance its wartime spending. • Native American Policy-This approach attempted to move Indians closer to white civilization.

8. Foreign Affairs • Cuban Insurrection-Cuban rebels began to fight a guerilla campaign against Spain to win independence • Annexing Santo Domingo-Santo Domingo had a suitable bay, and its government was interested in having the United States annex the country. • Alabama Claims-After the Britain owned it compensation for disrupting shipping, prolonging the length of the war, and violating neutrality.

9. “ My failures have been errors in judgment, not of intent” -Ulysses S. Grant

10. “Rosebud” Rosebud turns into a beautiful flower, same as Grant he was just a mere soldier and he became the President. Also roses have thorns, Grant was considered one of the worst presidents of US and the thorns represents all the bad decisions he made. When the rose withers and dies its beauty fades away same as Grant after retiring as President everything went downhill for him.

11. Scandals • Black Friday - September 24, 1869. Two speculators, Jay Gould and James Fisk, tried to buy up enough gold to corner the gold market while keeping Grant from dumping federal gold on the market. They drove up the price of gold quickly before Grant realized what was going on and was able to add enough gold onto the market to bring the price down • Credit Mobilier - 1872. In order to cover up stealing money from the Union Pacific Railroad, officers of the Credit Mobilier company sold stocks cheaply to members of Congress. • Grant's Secretary of the Treasury, William A. Richardson gave special agent John D. Sanborn the job of collecting delinquent taxes allowing Sanborn to keep 50% of what he collected. • Whiskey Ring - 1875. Many distillers and federal agents were keeping money that was being paid as liquor taxes. Grant called for punishment but protected his own personal secretary. • Belknap Bribery - 1876. Grant's Secretary of War W. W. Belknap was taking money from traders selling at Indian posts.

12. Impact And Legacy • He was a successful general that his failings as President seem hard to comprehend • He was a natural leader on the battlefield but was not an especially effective leader of his country. • He also executed a successful foreign policy and was responsible for improving Anglo-American relations. • He fought to protect the rights of African American more than any other presidents.

13. Thoughtson whether this President could be successfully run for President today. • Eunice: “No! I wouldn’t want our economy to get worst as it is right now. And if he was to become our president right now every will downhill.” • Abigail: “I don’t think It’ll work out because he’s a bad president. And he showed a lot of bad habits as a president during his term. And I don’t want that!” • Gerald: “He’s a good leader if were talking about war but economically wise I don’t think so. Our country right now is in a bad shape and you don’t want it to get any worst. So I don’t think he is suitable to be our president at this time.”

14. Cabinet Members • Hamilton Fish-U.S. Secretary of State • George S. Boutwell-Secretary of Treasury • Benjamin H. Bristow-Secretary of Treasury • Zachariah Chandler-Secretary of Interior • John A.J. Creswell-U.S. Postmaster General

15. Record/Video

16. Fun Facts • Grant suffered intense migraine headaches which were sometimes reported bouts of drunkenness. • Grant was christened as “Hiram Ulysses Grant” • Demonstrated love of horses • When the democratic congressman (Thomas Hammer) submitted Ulysses name to the war department. He mistakenly transcribed Ulysses S. Grant and from that point on he was known as Ulysses S. Grant. • Grant was tone deaf and could not recognize any of the light airs of the time

17. Bibliography • www.presidentprofiles.com • www.americanhistory.about.com • www.millercenter.org • www.faculty.css.edu/mkelsey/usgrant/facts.hatm • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EMXFa9KxGY

18. GROUP Eunice A b i g a i l G e r a l d