High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant began during the turbulent Reconstruction period following the American Civil War. Grant was elected the 18th President of the United States in 1868 and was re-elected to the office in 1872, serving from March 4, 1869, to March 4, 1877. The United States was at peace with the world throughout the era, and was prosperous until the Panic of 1873, that predominated Grant`s second term in office. Grant was a Republican, and his main supporters were the Radical and Stalwart Republican factions. President Grant bolstered the Executive Branch`s enforcement powers by signing into law the Department of Justice and Office of Solicitor General. President Grant supported Civil War values that included "union, freedom and equality." He was opposed by the Liberal faction of the party, many of them founding fathers of the GOP, who denounced Grant`s patronage. The Liberals insisted that Reconstruction had been successful and that Army troops should be withdrawn from the South so it could regain its normal political status. The Liberals nominated a candidate in 1872, who was supported by the Democrats, but was decisively defeated by Grant. President Grant was a loner who never developed a cadre of trustworthy political advisers; he relied heavily on former Army associates who had a thin understanding of politics and a weak sense of civilian ethics. His presidential reputation was severely damaged by repeated scandals and frauds.