Ulysses Simpson Grant

Birth-Death: (1822 - 1885 ) Term: (1869-1877 )

The United States completed the first transcontinental railroad, and passed the 15th Amendment granting voting rights to all citizens regardless of race. In contrast to these notable achievements, depression hit in 1873 following a series of bank failures. Grant's administration suffered under accusations of corruption.

Major Events with Ulysses Grant

1869 - First Continental Railroad Completed

    In 1865 a race began between the Central Pacific starting from California and the Union Pacific starting from the Missouri River. The Central Pacific used many immigrant Chinese laborers to build the railroad east from Sacramento. The Union Pacific began from Iowa and used mainly Irish workers on the construction site. On May 10th, 1869 the two railroads met and a golden spike was driven into the ground as the finishing touch to this achievement. Over the next thirteen years four more transcontinental railroads were completed, effectively covering the nation.

1873 - Panic of 1873

    In 1873, after the Jay Cooke & Company of Philadelphia, one of the strongest financial institutions in the United States had failed, a panic precipitated. Between 20,000 and 25,000 businesses failed in the three years that followed. Hundreds of thousands were unemployed and roamed the country in search of jobs. One of the reactionary measure is known is the Bill of '73. It made the United States a monometallic country, silver was no longer coined.