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The Pros And Cons Of The Presidency Of Ulysses S. Grant

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The election of Ulysses S. Grant to President in 1868, was out of a need to for Radical Republicans to have a like-minded president in office unlike that of President Johnson who had been impeached, but not fired by Congress. This was a political power play that the Republicans needed to maintain control and to continue their version of Reconstruction upon the South. During his presidency his ability to wage war and place the correct people in charge did not transition well into the civilian role as President. President Grant’s terms would be plagued by indecision that nearly destroyed the nation’s economy, took advantage of the spoils of his position, and failed to maintain a platform which to politically stand on. President Grant may have been an excellent military General, but he was unable to let go the military man that he was and …show more content…

One not to shy away from popularity and persuasion from the Radical Republican Party, he accepted a nomination that he never wanted. The lack of enthusiasm to run president transitioned in his lack of involvement in his responsibilities in the new civilian role as President of the United States. President Grant was able to secure his presidency based on his “War Hero” status in a post-Civil War Union and beaten South. President Grant would allow the Radical Republican Reconstruction to continue its aggressive approach, which only created more push back in the South that eventually erupted in violent response with creations of groups like the KKK. President Grant’s hands-off approach to his presidency helped create a divide within the Republican Party, which destroyed the unified front that supported Reconstruction in its early years. President Grant never displayed a true drive or desire to be President of the United States, which weakened the Republican Party and any momentum Reconstruction still had upon his

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