Ulysses S. Grant Contributions

The statement of Niklas Luhmann “no human being is indispensible”(xiii) is reinforced by several Great men who have had many profound contributions to the United States and its Military. Three of whom prior to 1865 are George Washington, Winfield Scott, and Ulysses S. Grant. These great men have in their own times contributed a great deal of leadership and vision to the United States Military and Government. More recently than 1865, Dwight D. Eisenhower has risen to the level of contribution of the three great men before his time and may have even surpassed them in respect to the organization and advancements he ensured for the military of the United States and the country herself. George Washington, “father of his country,” lead the military
Grant began his career graduating from West Point “about the middle of his class” (Abbott 16), unknown to him then he would excel in his future military career. His career was initially short lived as he served his required years to then pursue a civilian career to teach but having no civilian schooling. When the American Civil War began he was recruited to lead a regiment to Springfield, the state capitol at the time. Grant went on to capture Fort Donelson and Fort Henry as the first major Union victories in the Civil War. He continued to have victories in Vicksburg, Chattanooga and then was promoted to the commander of all Union Forces. There he had union forces vigorously attack General Lee’s army at Petersburg, Virginia. Grant was able to accept Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, Virginia on April 9, 1865. As the Civil War concluded he then served as the secretary of war until he was voted into presidency. Grant became the 18th President in 1868; he then enforced civil rights laws, signed civil rights acts of 1870 and 1875. Grants actions of deploying federal troops protected many African Americans from the Ku Klux Klan by arresting Klan members. Grant left the presidency after a second term withstanding many scandals within his administration. He went on to attempt several endeavors that failed and lost his money. Shortly after that Grant was diagnosed with throat cancer. He then wrote articles and his memoirs to ensure his family and wife had financial
Eisenhower rises to the level of contribution the three great men mentioned above. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal without seeing combat for his exceptional leadership skills and training tank units in Gettysburg. Eisenhower became General Macarthur’s aid and built and trained the Philippines army. Supervised and planned operation Torch, the invasion of north Africa, in 1942-43. Eisenhower served as the Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe during the invasion of Normandy on D-Day. In December 1944 Eisenhower became General of the Army, the highest rank in the army. Also, he became the first Supreme commander of NATO in 1950. He was elected 34th president in 1952 with the slogan of “I like Ike.” Eisenhower launched the Interstate Highway System, and balanced the National Budget by refusing to cut taxes and refusing to increase spending. He ended the fighting in Korea and “waged peace” with Russia and the Soviet Union. These all are very vital contributions to our country and perpetuating peace throughout World War II and the Cold