Presidential Biographies | Grant Administrations - Grant Becomes President

The Ulysses S. Grant Administrations

While Grant himself was extremely popular during his lifetime, historically his administration has been heavily criticized. Grant's poor choices in appointments led to corruption and numerous scandals and, although Grant was not involved in any of them directly, they have forever damaged his legacy. Grant is also criticized for having taken a weak stand on Reconstruction (the rebuilding of the South after the American Civil War [1861–65] and its readmittance to the Union), and on the protection of former slaves in the South. Yet Grant used troops to enforce Reconstruction when white resistance reached new levels, and his administrations maintained the country at peace in world affairs.

Grant Becomes President

The Campaign of 1868

In 1868...