One of Grant's first acts as president was to address the issue of Reconstruction in the South. Grant wanted to ensure that African Americans had the same rights and protections as others in the country, and he worked to enforce the 14th and 15th Amendments to the Constitution. He also appointed several African Americans to political positions, breaking new ground in the fight for racial equality.
President Grant also faced the ongoing conflict with Native American tribes in the West. He appointed Ely S. Parker, a Seneca Indian, as Commissioner of Indian Affairs and worked to negotiate peace treaties with several tribes. However, his administration also oversaw the forced relocation of several tribes and the massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890 which by many has been described as the worst "mass shooting" in U.S. history.
During this time, Grant also made important advances in foreign policy. He dispatched Secretary of State Hamilton Fish to negotiate the Treaty of Washington with Great Britain, which resolved several long-standing disputes and set the stage for a closer relationship between the two countries. He also sent a naval expedition to Japan, which opened up trade and diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Despite his successes, Grant's presidency was not without controversy. Several members of his administration were implicated in the Credit Mobilier scandal, in which they profited from fraudulent contracts for the construction of the transcontinental railroad. Grant himself was not implicated in the scandal, but it tarnished his reputation and raised questions about his ability to lead.
The first six months of Ulysses S. Grant's presidency were marked by significant progress on issues of civil rights, foreign policy, and Native American relations. He was committed to ensuring equality for all Americans and worked to strengthen the country's relationships with other nations. However, his administration was also marred by scandal and controversy. Despite these challenges, Grant remained focused on his goals and worked tirelessly to achieve them.
