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Period: to
Presidents of Era
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Abraham Lincoln
The Confederate Congress unanimously adopts the Confederate Constitution, which declares the sovereignty of states and forbids the passage of any bill which outlaws slavery. He declares that an "insurrection" exists, marking the official beginning of the Civil War. In four and a half years, nearly 5 million American men will serve as soldiers with more than 600,000 of them falling as casualties, making the Civil War the bloodiest war in American history. -
Andrew Johnson
Johnson declares that the terms agreed on between Union General William Tecumseh Sherman and Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston are too lenient to the Confederates and orders that they be set aside. Johnston surrenders to Sherman on April 26 on harsher terms. Johnson issues two proclamations summarizing his recommendations for the restoration of Confederate states to the Union. -
Ulysses S. Grant
President Grant's military aide and private secretary Orville Babcock signs a treaty to annex Santo Domingo of the West Indies, and a second document to lease Samana Bay. The Senate defeats the annexation treaty on June 30, 1870, and never votes on the Samana Bay treaty. Grant vetoes the Private Relief Bill and will continue to veto many additional relief bills during his two terms. -
Rutherford Birchard Hayes
As in South Carolina, Hayes officially withdraws soldiers from Louisiana. Governor Packard has no choice but to submit, declaring, "One by one, the Republican state governments of the South have been forced to succumb to force, fraud or policy." Hayes's withdrawal of troops from the South marks the end of Reconstruction. At the same time, Hayes will also oversee the appropriation of federal funds for internal improvements in the South. -
James Abram Garfield
Garfield completes his slate of cabinet members, naming James G. Blaine as secretary of state and Abraham Lincoln's son, Robert, as secretary of war. Garfield angers Conkling with his nomination of William Windom of Minnesota, a non-Eastern man, as secretary of treasury. Further, Garfield denies Conkling influence in New York politics by appointing William H. Robertson as collector of the port of New York and Thomas L. James postmaster of New York. -
Chester Alan Arthur
Arthur takes office as vice president in the presidential administration of James Garfield. President Garfield is shot in Washington by Charles Julius Guiteau, a deranged, disappointed office seeker. President Garfield dies from injuries sustained in the attack. -
Grover Cleveland
Cleveland signs the Presidential Succession Act, specifying that in the absence of a President and vice president, heads of executive departments will succeed to the presidency in the order in which the departments were created. In a message to Congress, Cleveland asserts that labor is a vital element of national prosperity and should be a concern of the federal government. -
Benjamin Harrison
Harrison sends his first message to Congress. Among his recommendations are civil rights and civil service reform, naval legislation, improved conditions for railroad workers, and pensions for veterans. Harrison nominates David J. Brewer to the Supreme Court. The Senate approves the choice two weeks later. The Dependent Pension Bill is passed, providing benefits to Union veterans as well as to their children and widows. -
Grover Cleveland
Cleveland withdraws the Hawaiian annexation treaty, signed just prior to his inauguration. Cleveland vows to defend the gold standard. Hawaii's provisional government declares the Republic of Hawaii. In its constitution, the body includes a provision for possible American annexation. On August 8, the U.S. government recognizes the Republic of Hawaii. -
William McKinley
McKinley asserts: "The country is suffering from industrial disturbances from which speedy relief must be had. Our financial system needs some revision; our money is all good now, but its value must not further be threatened." President McKinley calls Congress into a special session for the purpose of revising the tariff laws. President McKinley signs the Dingley Tariff Law, which raises custom duties by an average of 57 percent.
