Foreign Policies and Affairs

Cuban Insurrection

After the Civil War, most of America's attention were turned inward as the country starts rebuilding. However, there are still some foreign affairs during Grant's presidency. Grant worked together with Halminton Fish, the secretary of state, to deal with both domestic and foreign affairs. One of them is the Cuban Insurrection. In 1868, Cuban rebels began to fight against Spain to win independence. Although many Americans wanted to support the Cubans, Grant and Fish doesn't want to risk going to war against Spain and decided not to aid the Cuban. When the Congress tried to pass a resolution recognizing the Cuban rebels fighting against Spain, the resolution was defeated. The US tried to negotiate with Spain of taking Cuba but failed. In the end, the rebels lost and Spain regain control of Cuba. America step back out of the situation.



Alabama Claims (Alabama is the name of the ship)

During the Civil War, the British are interested in cotton trade and other profits. As a result, the British allied with the South and construct a Confederate warship which the South use to fight against the Union. After the war, the United States claimed that the British owned America for disrupting shipping, prolonging the length of the war, and violating its neutrality. The relationship between the US and British was worsen until Fish convince Grant to let Fish handle the situation. After the negotiation, both nation agreed that Britain owned America $15.5 million dollars. This increased the relationship between United States and British and also made international arbitration wildly acceptable. It was also seen as one of the greatest accomplishment of Grant's presidency.

Annexing Santo Domingo

One thing that Grant had failed to accomplish in foreign policy was the Annexation of Santo Domingo. Santo Domingo wanted the United States to annex the country. Grant also agreed because it would provide an opportunity for African Americans in the South to negotiate with Southern white. However, Fish disagree with this idea. Grant tried to persuade Charles Summer, a Massachusetts senator, to aid him in this policy. At first Summer agrees but in 1870, he changed his mind and the plan failed. Grant tried to persuade other senator and the they agreed to annex Santo Domingo but the public disagree with this idea. The debate disappear from public and Santo Domingo was never annexed.