Ulysses S. Grant (mar 4, 1869 – mar 4, 1877)
Description:
(1822-1885)
VP: Schuyler Colfax (1869–1873)
Henry Wilson (1873–1875)
None (1875–1877)
Grant was hailed across the North as the winning general in the American Civil War and overall his military reputation has held up fairly well. Achieving great national fame for his victories at Vicksburg and the surrender at Appomattox, he was widely credited as the General who "saved the Union". Criticized by the south for using excessive force, his overall military reputation stands intact. Grant's drinking was often exaggerated by the press and falsely stereotyped by many of his rivals and critics. Grant's reputation fell as post-war efforts in the late-19th-century, when the popularity of the pro-Confederate Lost Cause theory and the Dunning School movement grew early in the 20th century.
In the 1950s, some historians made a reassessment of Grant's military career, shifting the analysis of Grant as the victor by brute force to that of successful, skillful, modern strategist and commander. William S. McFeely won the Pulitzer Prize for his critical 1981 biography that credited Grant's initial presidential efforts on civil rights but lamented his failure to carry out lasting progress. However, historians still debate how effective Grant was at halting corruption. The scandals during the Grant administration were often used to stigmatize his political reputation.
In the 21st century, Grant's reputation among historians has improved markedly, starting with Jean Edward Smith's 2001 Grant biography. Opinions of Grant's presidency demonstrate a better appreciation of Grant's personal integrity, Reconstruction efforts, and peace policy towards Indians, even when they fell short. Ronald White said Grant, "demonstrated a distinctive sense of humility, moral courage, and determination," and as president he "stood up for African-Americans, especially fighting against voter suppression perpetuated by the Ku Klux Klan." White's American Ulysses (2016) and Ron Chernow's Grant (2017) continued the elevation of Grant's historical reputation. Some historians while noting some of Grant's presidential successes, question whether Grant's revived reputation among scholars has been found in the "popular consciousness."
Added to timeline:
History of Leadership In The States
Date:
