Which American president rode into the White House on a wave of public support due to his military successes, only to have his legacy tarnished by a presidency mired in scandal?
Explanation
Answer: B - Ulysses S. Grant, one of the famed Union generals in the Civil War, was a popular choice for president in 1868 (at least in the former Union), but his administration was plagued by scandal, which darkened his historical legacy. Every federal department faced corruption charges under Grant, and he was embroiled in 11 major scandals during his two-term presidency. The most detrimental events were the Black Friday scandal and the Whiskey Ring scandal. Black Friday concerned a small group of speculators who monopolized the gold market, causing economic peril (later compounded by a worldwide depression in 1873). The Whiskey Ring scandal was perpetrated by a group of government officials and whiskey manufacturers who organized a massive tax evasion scheme.
