History of the United States II / Unit 1 USH2 0029 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Grant-Era Scandals
Captions available
The idea
Two scandals marked Grant's administration: the Whiskey Ring, which siphoned federal excise taxes, and Crédit Mobilier, a fraud around the Union Pacific Railroad.
In practice
Grant's secretary Orville Babcock and Vice President Schuyler Colfax, each tied to one of them.
Where people slip
Digital History describes Crédit Mobilier as a construction company through which members of Congress awarded contracts to themselves.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
- Nothing yet depends on this.
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