Essay Sample on U.S. Grant: From Cadet to President, A Symbol of Unity

Introduction

Ulysses S. Grant was among the most influential personalities in the history of the United States of America, both as a military person and subsequently the president of the union. Graduating as a cadet, Grant embarked on an astute and illustrious military career which culminated in his participation in various epic wars including the Mexican war between 1846 and 1848 and leading the Union armies to triumph over the Confederacy in the civil wars (Simpson, 2014). He was seen as the symbol of union victory, thus making him appeal to the masses who eventually elected him as the eighteenth president of the United States of America from 1869 to 1877. During his presidency, Grant is remembered for his role in working to enforce the congressional reconstruction and eradication of the vestiges of slavery. Despite the various achievements of Grant, he too had various shortcomings, especially in his presidency which tainted his administrative achievements.

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The life of Grant can be seen from two levels including as a military general and as the eighteenth president of the United States. His life in both cases was characterized with an upward momentum which saw him rise from a cadet to a president of the United States of America. His boldness and focus make him rise from humble beginnings to senior ranks in the military before ascending to the presidency. Having been born on April 27th, 1822 as Hiram Ulysses Grant who would be later called Ulysses Grant, became the commander of the Union armies from1864 and 1965 when the American Civil War was at its fever pitch (Bunting, 2004). He graduated with a distinction in horsemanship from West Point military training camp in 1843. After graduating as a cadet, Grant got his first assignment as a brevet second lieutenant to the fourth US military. He would later be involved in the Mexican-American War where he displayed gallantry which earned him accolades. Due to his insatiable desire to attain more excellent action as a soldier, Grant became the first lieutenant and captain in the 1847 battle.

When the civil war broke out in April of 1861, Grant was instrumental in recruiting, equipping, and training troops in Galena (Bunting, 2004). He then led them to Springfield where Governor Richard Yates assigned him as an aide as well as employed him in the office of the adjunct general. He was again appointed a brigadier general before he engaged the Confederacy soldiers in the civil war. Due to his high military skill, command, and gallantry, Grant succeeded in gaining control of the District of Southeast Missouri whose headquarters was located in Cairo, Illinois. In his role as a major general, Grant managed to repel an unprecedented attack launched by the Confederate soldiers in between April 6th and 7th at Shiloh Church (Perret, 2009). Out of his bravery and gallantry, Grant led his army towards Vicksburg, Mississippi which stood as the then only remaining Confederate stronghold lying in the Mississippi River. In a show of aggression, boldness, independence, and determination, Grant's army besieged the confederates Soldiers in Vicksburg and forced them to surrender (Simpson, 2014). A subsequent military invasion led by Grant in Port Hudson, Louisiana, rendered the Confederacy weakened resulting in their subsequent surrender.

Apart from his stint in the military, which earned him a strong reputation and accolades, Grant's role as the eighteenth president of the US is also a critical aspect of his life. His achievements as a military officer during the controversial civil war era earned Grant public confidence, which made him be elected to the presidency. He occupied the White House on March 4, 1869 (Simpson, 2014). He was politically inexperienced and comparatively youngest of all the presidents that the United States had by then. Nonetheless, he is remembered for having instrumentally influenced the political economy of the country. For instance, he showed his financial conservativeness by signing the first law which pledged to redeem greenback currency, which had been issued during the Civil War.

Grant adopted diplomatic leadership and open door administration in which he could take advice from his appointees in government. This made him work seamlessly with officers in various cadres, thus earning him a second term as the president (Kahan, 2018). He could also initiate critical policies related to the reconstruction after the civil war and rebirth of the United States. In his wisdom, Grant supported amnesty extended to the Confederate leaders and granted civil rights to former slaves. He was also a critical figurehead who spearheaded the ratification of the fifteenth amendment to the US constitution. He also lobbied for the passage of the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, which targeted the eradication of the criminal organization. Despite his great achievements, Grant was somehow ineffective in the enforcement of the civil rights laws and various Reconstruction ideals (Perret, 2009).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the name of Ulysses S. Grant remains immutable in the history fo America due to his great achievements in the military and as the president. Of utmost significance is his role in leading the Union soldiers to win against the Confederate States of America in the era of the American Civil War. In his stint as the president, Grant seems to have had a great desire to transform the country but failed in his implementation. For instance, he did not attain any significant results in reconstructing the United States and also was unable to enforce civil rights granted to former slaves. Due to these administrative failures, it would suffice to construe Grant as a weak two-term President.

References

Bunting, J. (2004). Ulysses S. Grant. New York: Times Books.

Kahan, P. (2018). The presidency of Ulysses S. Grant: Preserving the Civil War's legacy. Yardley, Pennsylvania: Westholme Publishing.

Perret, G. (2009). Ulysses S. Grant: Soldier & president. New York: Modern Library.

Simpson, B. D. (2014). Ulysses S. Grant: Triumph over adversity, 1822-1865. Minneapolis, MN: Zenith Press, an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc.