The Ulysses S. Grant administration (1869–1877) was a transformative period in U.S. history. Grant, the 18th President of the United States and a former Civil War general, served two terms during the height of Reconstruction, tackling civil rights issues, economic challenges, and significant corruption scandals. Despite controversies, Grant’s presidency also saw notable strides in rebuilding the Union and advancing civil rights for African Americans.

Key Events and Policies of the Grant Administration

1. Reconstruction and Civil Rights

Grant’s presidency played a central role in the Reconstruction era, focusing on reintegrating the Southern states into the Union and securing rights for newly freed African Americans.

• 15th Amendment (1870):
  • Ratified under Grant’s leadership, the 15th Amendment prohibited denying the right to vote based on “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” It was a landmark achievement in civil rights.
• Enforcement Acts (1870–1871):
  • Also known as the Ku Klux Klan Acts, these laws aimed to suppress violent white supremacist groups like the KKK and protect African Americans’ voting rights.
  • Grant deployed federal troops and used legal measures to combat widespread violence in the South.
• Civil Rights Act of 1875:
  • Enacted near the end of Grant’s presidency, this law prohibited racial discrimination in public accommodations and jury service. Though largely unenforced at the time, it set a precedent for future civil rights legislation.

2. Economic Policies and Challenges

Grant’s presidency dealt with significant economic changes and crises:

• Gold Standard and “Greenbacks”:
  • Grant signed the Public Credit Act (1869), affirming that U.S. bonds would be repaid in gold, strengthening faith in the U.S. economy.
  • The Resumption Act (1875) aimed to restore the gold standard by withdrawing paper currency (“greenbacks”) issued during the Civil War.
• Panic of 1873:
  • A severe economic depression began in 1873 due to over-speculation in railroads and financial markets. It led to widespread bankruptcies and unemployment, overshadowing Grant’s second term.

3. Native American Policy

Grant’s administration pursued what was known as the “Peace Policy” toward Native Americans, aiming to reduce conflicts between settlers and tribes.

• Indian Appropriations Act (1871):
  • Declared that tribes would no longer be treated as independent nations but as wards of the federal government, increasing federal control over Native affairs.
• Board of Indian Commissioners:
  • Established to oversee Native American policy and promote assimilation, often through Christian missionaries.
• Despite these efforts, conflicts such as the Modoc War (1872–1873) and the Great Sioux War (1876) underscored the failures of federal policies to protect Native rights and lands.

4. Foreign Policy

Grant’s foreign policy achievements included territorial expansion and improved international relations.

• Treaty of Washington (1871):
  • Resolved disputes with Great Britain over the Alabama Claims, stemming from British support of Confederate ships during the Civil War. The treaty set a precedent for international arbitration.
• Annexation of Santo Domingo (Failed Attempt):
  • Grant supported a controversial plan to annex Santo Domingo (modern-day Dominican Republic), seeing it as an opportunity to expand U.S. territory and provide a haven for African Americans. The Senate rejected the plan.

5. Corruption and Scandals

Grant’s administration is often criticized for widespread corruption, with several scandals tarnishing his legacy:

• Credit Mobilier Scandal (1872):
  • Involved Union Pacific Railroad executives embezzling funds and bribing Congress members with shares in a dummy corporation.
• Whiskey Ring Scandal (1875):
  • A network of government officials and distillers defrauded the government of tax revenue. Although Grant personally was not implicated, his private secretary, Orville Babcock, was involved.
• Indian Ring:
  • Corruption in the Bureau of Indian Affairs saw officials profiting from supplies meant for Native tribes.

Grant’s loyalty to corrupt appointees contributed to perceptions of his presidency as poorly managed, though he actively supported investigations into some scandals.

6. Civil Service Reform

• Grant advocated for civil service reform to reduce patronage and corruption.
• Established the first Civil Service Commission (1871) to study reforms, though progress was limited during his presidency.

Key Achievements

1. Preservation of Reconstruction:
   • Grant’s efforts to enforce civil rights laws and suppress violence in the South were instrumental in protecting African Americans during Reconstruction.
2. Economic Stabilization:
   • Grant’s commitment to the gold standard laid the groundwork for long-term financial stability.
3. International Diplomacy:
   • The peaceful resolution of the Alabama Claims through the Treaty of Washington was a major success in U.S. foreign policy.

Challenges and Legacy

• Reconstruction’s Decline:
  • By the end of Grant’s presidency, Northern support for Reconstruction waned. This, combined with economic struggles, allowed Southern Democrats to regain power, leading to the rollback of African American rights in the South.
• Corruption:
  • While Grant was personally honest, his tolerance of corrupt associates weakened his administration’s effectiveness and reputation.
• Advancing Civil Rights:
  • Despite challenges, Grant’s enforcement of civil rights laws and the 15th Amendment marked significant progress in the fight for racial equality.

Assessment of Grant’s Presidency

Grant’s presidency is viewed as a mix of accomplishments and shortcomings. His leadership during Reconstruction and commitment to civil rights are praised, while the scandals and economic challenges during his terms have overshadowed his legacy. Modern historians often rank his presidency more favorably than earlier assessments, recognizing his dedication to justice during a tumultuous era in American history.