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Ulysses S. Grant was described as a political novice during his presidency.
His cabinet selections faced criticism for being ill-considered and naive, as he did not consult anyone before appointing them.
This lack of consultation led to many unsuitable individuals being appointed.

Grant was easily influenced by others and lacked a mindset to suspect ulterior motives.
Gifts given to him were seen as gestures of friendship, but they sometimes clouded his judgment, leading to poor decisions.
In the early months of his presidency, he befriended questionable figures, notably Jay Gould and James Fisk.

Jay Gould, described as corrupt, was involved in unethical business practices, earning him the nickname "the Mephistopheles of Wall Street."
Gould and his associate James Fisk collaborated to manipulate the nation's gold market with the help of Abel Corbin (Grant's brother-in-law).
Their plan included creating a public frenzy for gold, raising its price, which would collapse if the US Treasury sold large amounts of gold.
Grant, seen in public holding gold, was mistakenly believed to support their scheme.
Tension peaked on September 24, 1869, known as Black Friday, leading to a market crash that devastated investors.
Criticism emerged around Grant's acceptance of gifts from Gould and Fisk, with political figures implying his incompetence.

A series of scandals marred Grant's presidency, including:
- His secretary of war's wife accepting bribes from merchants.
- Whiskey distillers bribing treasury agents to evade taxes involving 300 individuals, including Grant’s private secretary, Orville Babcock.
Grant previously stated, “Let no guilty man escape,” but later intervened on behalf of Babcock during a trial.
The perception of Grant shifted from a war hero to a target of corruption accusations.

Political corruption and the implications of Reconstruction divided the Republican Party into:
- Liberals (or Conscience Republicans): Led by Senator Carl Schurz, sought government honesty and efficiency, promoting civil service reform.
- Stalwarts: Favored the status quo and backing Grant.
The Liberal Republicans held a convention in 1872, nominating Horace Greeley, a figure known for his chaotic advocacy across various causes, even though he faced ridicule during the campaign.

Greeley ran against Grant, losing decisively, which contributed to his mental decline and eventual death shortly after the election.
The election was marred by controversy, including an incident where women, notably Susan B. Anthony, voted illegally, leading to her arrest and a trial that became a platform for women's suffrage.

Grant enacted measures to combat the KKK, an organization formed by Confederate veterans to terrorize freedmen and white Republicans.
The KKK engaged in horrific violence against African Americans, leading to congressional passage of force bills giving Grant extraordinary powers to act against them.
Grant used these powers, successfully prosecuting over 300 Klan leaders.

By the mid-1870s, Northern discontent grew regarding the ongoing Reconstruction efforts, exacerbated by economic depression.
The Democrats regained control of the House of Representatives, reflecting public fatigue over Reconstruction and economic issues.

Significant Supreme Court cases, such as the Slaughterhouse Cases and U.S. v. Cruickshank, weakened federal protections for African Americans.
The courts ruled that states, rather than the federal government, were responsible for protecting citizens' rights.

Amid scandals and declining popularity, Grant decided not to seek a third term in 1876.
The Republicans chose Rutherford B. Hayes, a relatively obscure candidate, to run against Democratic nominee Samuel J. Tilden, known for his role in prosecuting corrupt officials, including Boss Tweed.

Grant's presidency is often cited as a period of significant corruption, referred to as the "era of good stealings."
The discussion will continue into the Gilded Age—a period characterized by economic growth but steeped in corruption and inequality.