1. Grant’s Presidency (1869-1877)

2. Ulysses S. Grant Political Party: Republican Political Party: Republican Famous for: Was the Commander of Union forces during the Civil War. Had one of the most corrupt administrations in history. Famous for: Was the Commander of Union forces during the Civil War. Had one of the most corrupt administrations in history. Nicknames: “Unconditional Surrender” and “Hero of Appomattox” Nicknames: “Unconditional Surrender” and “Hero of Appomattox” Interesting facts: Died from throat cancer, hated the sight of blood, was a binge drinker. Interesting facts: Died from throat cancer, hated the sight of blood, was a binge drinker.

3. Reconstruction Policies Supported civil rights for African Americans and amnesty for Confederate leaders. Supported civil rights for African Americans and amnesty for Confederate leaders. Favored a limited number of troops in the south—enough to ensure the rights of Southern blacks, suppress the violence of the KKK, and support the Republican governors. Favored a limited number of troops in the south—enough to ensure the rights of Southern blacks, suppress the violence of the KKK, and support the Republican governors. The 15 th Amendment was ratified in 1870— established voting rights. The 15 th Amendment was ratified in 1870— established voting rights.

4. Corruption in Grant’s Administration Crédit Mobilier—a construction company formed in 1867 to complete the trans-continental railway’s last 667 miles of track. Crédit Mobilier—a construction company formed in 1867 to complete the trans-continental railway’s last 667 miles of track. Problem: Congressmen and Union Pacific executives owned stock in both the railroad and the construction company. Problem: Congressmen and Union Pacific executives owned stock in both the railroad and the construction company. Crédit Mobilier charged the railroad tens of millions of dollars more than the actual cost of construction. Crédit Mobilier charged the railroad tens of millions of dollars more than the actual cost of construction. Construction company paid themselves. No competition for business=huge profit for stock investors Construction company paid themselves. No competition for business=huge profit for stock investors This fraud was exposed in 1872—no prosecutions occurred This fraud was exposed in 1872—no prosecutions occurred

5. Tammany Hall Tammany Hall—The Democratic party political machine in New York City. William “Boss” Tweed—a politician who ran Tammany Hall until 1873. Cycle of Corruption: Tweed helps NYC immigrants if they will vote for his political candidate. This government official then hires Tweed’s contractor for public works. The contractor charges too much for their work and the extra cash goes to Tweed.

6. Black Friday 1869 Jim Fisk and Jay Gould attempt to “corner the nation’s gold market.” This created a financial panic in the U.S. 1869 Jim Fisk and Jay Gould attempt to “corner the nation’s gold market.” This created a financial panic in the U.S. These speculators bought up all the private gold, which sent its’ price sky-high. Fisk and Gould wanted to force bankers and businessmen to buy their gold at inflated prices. These speculators bought up all the private gold, which sent its’ price sky-high. Fisk and Gould wanted to force bankers and businessmen to buy their gold at inflated prices. To end the panic, Grant ordered the sale of $4 million of government gold. To end the panic, Grant ordered the sale of $4 million of government gold.

7. Whiskey Ring Over $3 million dollars in taxes stolen from the federal government. Began in St. Louis. To avoid the whiskey tax, distillers bribed high governmental officials who pocketed the extra cash. Busted in 1875— Led to over 100 convictions. Grant shielded his private secretary, Orville E. Babcock, from

8. Salary Grab Act passed by Congress on March 3, 1873 to double the salary of the President and the Supreme Court Justices. Act passed by Congress on March 3, 1873 to double the salary of the President and the Supreme Court Justices. Corruption: Hidden in the salary increases was a 50% raise for members of Congress. The bill also paved the way for the pay increase to be effective retroactively for the previous two years. Corruption: Hidden in the salary increases was a 50% raise for members of Congress. The bill also paved the way for the pay increase to be effective retroactively for the previous two years. Public outrage resulted in the repeal of this act. Public outrage resulted in the repeal of this act.

9. The Sanborn Incident 1874 Grant’s Secretary of the Treasury William Richardson hired John D. Sanborn, a private citizen, to collect unpaid taxes. Richardson agreed that Sanborn could keep half of what he collected. Sanborn kept $213,000 and $153,000 went to his “assistant,” who was actually Richardson.

10. Patronage System The same spoils system Andrew Jackson created. The same spoils system Andrew Jackson created. President Grant alienated party leaders by ignoring their recommendations and giving governmental positions to friends and political contributors. President Grant alienated party leaders by ignoring their recommendations and giving governmental positions to friends and political contributors. This began the push for civil service reform. This began the push for civil service reform.

11. Grant’s Legacy Often considered a political failure due to his limited successes during reconstruction and inability to curb the post-war government scandals. His mediocre record as president is surprisingly different than his outstanding reputation as commander of the Union forces during the Civil War.

12. Create a Political Cartoon Your job is to create a political cartoon sending a message about one aspect of Grant’s Presidency that you learned about today. Your job is to create a political cartoon sending a message about one aspect of Grant’s Presidency that you learned about today. Your point of view should be clear to the reader without using a lot of words. Your point of view should be clear to the reader without using a lot of words. You must include color in your cartoon and a title. You must include color in your cartoon and a title.

13. Cartoon Grading Rubric Category4321 Subject Matter Clearly shows understanding of political concept. Mostly shows understanding of political concept. Shows some understanding of political concept. Shows no understanding of political concept. Way Topic is Conveyed Point of view is clearly conveyed. Point of view is adequately conveyed. Point of view is marginally conveyed. Point of view is poorly conveyed. Visual Presentation of Political Cartoon Text and graphics are clearly legible. Text and graphics are mostly legible Text and graphics are somewhat legible. Text and graphics are not legible.