How Did Julia Grant's Impact On American History

First ladies have been skimmed over many time by history. While in most books, classes, and documentaries we see the president, we have been missing a large deciding factor in many president’s decisions: their wives. They are not only the public figures of the president, but also the ones that consult the president, and in some cases, guide the president on the correct, or incorrect, pathway. As an example of the many interesting and extraordinary things that have been skimmed over in history, I will be sharing with the reader the impact of Julia Grant, Helen “Nellie” Taft, and Florence Harding on American History as we know it. To begin, Julia Dent, later known as Julia Grant, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but had spent a large

During the Civil War, Julia Grant would not see her husband very often. Because of this constant separation, Julia Grant did something very unexpected: She would visit Ulysses Grant at battle sites. Not only would she visit him, but she would bring a slave along with her as an escort for many of the battles(First Ladies Influence Grant). With the constant thoughts of Julia, Ulysses Grant was determined to excel in his military career. As the Civil War raged on, Ulysses continued to fight as hard as he could, eventually leading to him being in command of the Union Army where he is most well known for being in charge when the Confederacy surrendered. This was the moment that Ulysses Grant was destined for great things, such as the presidency. In 1868, Ulysses Grant was nominated by the Republican party for the presidency, and there was not a doubt in Julia Grant’s mind that he would win. There was no open campaigning for Ulysses because most people would come to his home, where Julia Grant would open the doors to them and serve them like family. The road to becoming First Lady for Julia Grant was completed when Ulysses Grant came home on election night saying “I am afraid I am elected”(First Lady Biography

Few embraced the unique, national status that came with being married to the President of the United States, but Julia Grant was not one of them. She saw herself as the “Hostess of the Nation” and to this she did not disappoint(First Ladies Influence Grant). Julia Grant was known to attend Senate hearings, read through the president’s mail, and meet with various cabinet members, senators, justices, and diplomats(Julia Dent Grant). She lavishly entertained any and all that would come to the White House. Julia Grant developed the “symbolic house of the Grant’s” by having a family portrait put into the White House as soon as they moved in(First Ladies Influence Grant). Although being First Lady came a lot of limelight and responsibility, Julia Grant found a way to love it no matter what. She is known for constantly saying that her eight years in the White House were the best years of her life. Her lifestyle, clothing, and appearance were constantly reported in the media. She brought the happiness and joy back into the White House after years of gloom from the Civil War(Presidential Power). Not only is she known for her exquisite entertainment in the White House, but she was characterized as much more of a “go-getter” than the more well-known, previous First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln. Mary Lincoln was a First Lady who would wait for others to come to here, whereas