Lesson
Ulysses S. Grant After the Civil War In Pursuit Lesson
Founding Principles
Virtues
Guiding questions
Essential Question
- How do people evaluate leaders, past or present?
Guiding Questions
- How do different sources (photographs, video, and political cartoons) shape and challenge our understanding of Ulysses S. Grant’s character and leadership?
- How can a leader remain principled even when circumstances or public opinion turn against them?
- How do the habits of a leader shape how they respond when others within an institution act corruptly, irresponsibly, or unfairly?
Objectives
- Students will be able to…
- Synthesize information about Ulysses S. Grant from several sources.
- Analyze visual primary sources (photographs and political cartoons) to identify historical context, symbolism, and perspectives on Ulysses S. Grant’s character and leadership.
- Evaluate Grant’s actions through the lens of the civic virtues of honor, integrity, and humility, citing specific evidence from a video and primary sources.
Materials
Lesson resources
Examine a range of images of Ulysses S. Grant to explore how visual representation influences interpretations of his character and leadership.
Analyze a political cartoon depicting Ulysses S. Grant to examine how artists use symbolism, exaggeration, and satire to critique his leadership and public reputation amid corruption and controversy.
In this video, students learn how Ulysses S. Grant demonstrated responsibility during Reconstruction after the Civil War. Faced with political conflict and constitutional challenges, Grant remained committed to the rule of law and the protection of equal rights. His leadership during this pivotal period shows how civic responsibility can help preserve democratic institutions during times of national division. This video was based on an essay for In Pursuit written by General Stanley McChyrstal : www.inpursuit.org/lessons/loyalty-to-principle-is-harder-than-loyalty-to-power Check out this video and other free teaching resources on BRI or In Pursuit websites at billofrightsinstitute.org/bri-x-in-pursuit/ or inpursuit.org/educators. This video was made in conjunction with In Pursuit. In Pursuit is a landmark initiative of More Perfect, a bipartisan alliance of 44 Presidential Centers, National Archives Foundation, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Karsh Institute for Democracy at the University of Virginia, and more than 100 organizations working together to protect and renew our democracy as we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and beyond.
Lesson plan
More Information
Facilitation Notes
- This video and lesson were developed in connection with the In Pursuit project https://www.inpursuit.org/lessons. The essay for Ulysses S. Grant was written by General (Ret.) Stanley McChrystal. It can be read for additional teacher background on this topic, and it might be well-suited to classroom use for higher-level readers. The full essay is available here: https://www.inpursuit.org/lessons.
- The essay provides an overview of Grant’s role in navigating the Stanton Crisis of 1868, when President Johnson removed Secretary of War Edwin Stanton from his position despite the Tenure of Office Act. The central lesson that the essay imparts is: “Institutions depend on leaders who stay grounded in values and purpose rather than swayed by circumstance.”
- The essay is one perspective on the life and work of Ulysses S. Grant. The video highlights another aspect of Grant’s legacy: the foundation of Grant’s actions in the practice of civic virtue. This video foregrounds responsibility while revealing how virtues work together in practice. Although the video title names responsibility, the lesson centers on how Grant’s leadership was grounded in honor, humility, and integrity, and how these virtues shaped the way he understood and carried responsibility in moments of national consequence.
- The Bill of Rights Institute defines these civic virtues in the following way:
- Honor: Demonstrating good character and being trustworthy.
- Integrity: To tell the truth, expose untruths, and to keep one’s promises.
- Humility: A recognition that one’s ignorance is far greater than one’s knowledge. Putting others ahead of ourselves in thought, word, and deed. A willingness to give others credit and to admit when we are wrong.
- Encourage your students to critically engage with the material in the video, the primary source, and other context you may be providing to come to their own conclusion and assessment.
Standards
Related materials
In this lesson, students will read about the surrender at Appomattox between Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee. They will learn about how the two men acted with respect despite their differences and be able to apply this lesson to their own lives.