Final answer:
Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th president of the United States, oversaw Reconstruction and faced economic challenges and scandals during his administration. His tenure included dealing with the aftermath of the Civil War, the reintegration of Southern states, and economic issues like the greenback debate and the 1873 recession.
Step-by-step explanation:
His presidency was marked by efforts to continue Reconstruction policies and address the issue of Native American rights in the West, but his administration faced criticism over economic conditions, particularly following the Panic of 1873, and suffered from various scandals that tarnished its reputation.
Grant's administration struggled to reconcile the North's desire for economic focus and the South's aim to regain control over their political and social affairs.
Despite the challenges, Grant was re-elected for a second term but continued to encounter difficulties, such as the divisive 'greenback' debate over currency valuation and the economic downturn during the recession.
During Grant's term, the last of the Southern states, Virginia, Mississippi, and Texas, were readmitted to the Union. However, Southern states had begun the process of 'redemption' to oust Republican governments, often using violence.
This, coupled with the economic struggles and scandals, left the Republican party vulnerable, leading to a fiercely contested election between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel J. Tilden in 1876.
Hayes's victory, thanks to the Compromise of 1877, effectively marked the end of Reconstruction, shifting the nation's focus away from the party politics of Reconstruction and towards dealing with new political and economic issues.