The Treaty of Versailles, which ended the First World War and which Wilson played a key part in negotiating, was never ratified by the U.S. Congress and, as a result, the United States never became a member of the League of Nations.
Wilson's behavior in reaction to opposition in Congress regarding the Versailles Treaty, in general, and the League of Nations portion of that Treaty, specifically, may be the best indication of the similarities between himself and President Grant. Both men had a strong stubborn streak that often interfered with their otherwise competent leadership skills. In Grant's case, his stubbornness was characterized by his misguided loyalty to his friends and military associates. Throughout his two administrations, Grant continued to surround himself with his friends and former military associates and place such individuals in positions of authority instead of utilizing the services of talented and experienced politicians. The result was that his relationship with Congress suffered and his administrations were fraught with numerous and, seemingly, endless scandals. Because he refused to listen to his political advisors, Grant's two terms of office are looked upon by most historical experts as being largely ineffective.
Wilson's stubbornness manifested itself throughout his tenure in office but until the end of his second term never was the source of any particular political detriment, however, his stance on the League of Nations tainted a Presidency that otherwise was considered successful. Through most of his eight years in office Wilson had effectively led the country and, despite being unsuccessful in keeping the country out of the First World War, was viewed favorably by the public. The battle of the ratification of the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations, however, proved to be the political undoing of Wilson and, ultimately, it proved to be his physical undoing as well. Wilson worked as hard at attempting to convince the American public as to the merits of the League of Nations as he had in convincing the rest of the world of its merits but in his efforts to do so Wilson lost his political and physical viability. Worn down, Wilson suffered a severe stroke in October of 1919...
In fact, Norton claims that while the Whiskey Ring investigation was taking place, Grant had stated, "Let no guilty man escape" (Bailey 512) but when news that his secretary was involved surfaced, he "speedily changed his views" (512). Grant wrote a personal note to the jury and "with all the weight of his exalter office behind it, the their escaped" (512). When Belknap was exposed, Grant accepted his resignation
ULYSSES S. GRANT The 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, was a most curious American public figure. His two presidential terms are considered by political critics as the most corrupt in American history, yet his contribution and role in those most important and historic times cannot be under-estimated. He was born Hiram Ulysses Grant in 1822 to a hardworking couple in southwestern Ohio. He went to a seminary and
Grant supporter, George Curtis, editor of Harper's Weekly, once wrote to a friend, "I think the warmest friends of Grant feel that he has failed terribly as President, but not from want of honesty or desire, but from want of tact and great ignorance...It is a political position and he knows nothing of politics and rather despises them" (Goode).. After he left office, Grant and Julia settled in New York.
Scandals During Grant's Presidency Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States, had a reputation as a very honest man, but one who exercised poor judgment in his choice of companions. Evidence of Grant's poor judgment can be found in the sheer number of scandals that occurred during his presidency. One notable scandal during Grant's tenure as president was the Black Friday Gold Panic of 1869. Another scandal during
S. citizens. Despite all of the destruction and chaos that had crippled the South as a result of the war and his surrender to Grant, Lee was considered "the symbol of everything for which (the Confederate soldiers) had been willing to die." Thus, "if the Lost Cause," being the loss of the Old South and its aristocratic/slavery system, "sanctified by so much heroism and so many deaths, had a living justification,"
Grant and Wilson I propose that doing a comparison of Presidents Ulysses S. Grant and Woodrow Wilson would allow for a comprehensive understanding of how the leadership styles of these two men shaped the United States of America during their respective administrations. They will be compared in terms of their public and political leadership, how they functioned as Chief Executive and the leader of the Executive Branch, and how they functioned
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now