The Life of Ulysses S.grant from War Hero to Us President

Ulysses Simpson Grant

Ulysses Simpson Grant was born April 27, 1822 in Point Pleasant, Ohio to a very patriotic family who boasted American roots for generations. In 1839 Grants father enrolled him in the U.S. Military Academy, West Point. Grant was quoted later to saying, A military life had no charms for me, to get through the course, secure a detail for a few years as assistant professor of mathematics at the Academy and afterwards obtain a permanent position as professor at some respectable college His record at West Point was not very good, regardless he graduated 21st in his class in 1843. After, he was commissioned to be the Second Lieutenant of the Fourth U.S. Infantry, he was sent to Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis, Missouri. In St. Louis Grant met his future wife, Julia Dent.

In September 20, 1845 Grant was promoted to Full Second Lieutenant in the Mexican War. He participated in the battles of, Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma and Monterrey. After the Mexican War, Ulysses returned to Missouri to start a family. On August 22, 1848 he married Julia Dent. Together they had four children.

In the Civil War, Grant served as the Major General in the Regular Army. He successfully aided in the defeat of the South. On April 9, 1865 General Robert E. Lee of the Confederate Army surrendered to Grant.

Because of his overwhelming popularity at the time, Ulysses Grant was encouraged to run for the presidency. So, in 1868 Grant ran against Democrat, Horatio Seymour and won 214 out of the 294 Electoral votes.

Grant was not a politician, and didnt have the full comprehension of the job of President. The people that he appointed for Cabinet and other posts were given to personal friends and wealthy men who helped him with is campaign. While in office Grant tried to enforce the 14th Amendment (all native born persons were citizens) and the 15th Amendment (gave voting rights regardless of race or color), however, his efforts were ineffective. Grant also passed the Force Acts of 1870-1871 to attempt to repress the Ku Klux Klan. That too failed. Grants time in office did not prove all bad, however. He settled debts with Great Britain, for their aid in helping the Confederacy during the Civil war. He also secured a peaceful adjustment of the Viginius crisis with Spain in 1873.

In 1972 Grant ran for office again, defeating Horace Greeley. His second term was a hurricane of scandal and did not go well.

Ulysses Simpson Grant died from throat cancer. His death was a quiet one on July 23, 1885.

I think that Ulysses Grant was very intelligent when it came to things dealing with war. However, in terms of accomplishments while he was in office and on a moral level, I believe he probably wasnt the best person to be the President of the United States.