Let’s talk about Ulysses S. Grant & antisemitism.
On December 17, 1862, Grant issued General Order No. 11 — expelling all Jews from his military district, including parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi.
He gave Southern Jews 24 hours to leave.
On December 17, 1862, Grant issued General Order No. 11 — expelling all Jews from his military district, including parts of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi.
He gave Southern Jews 24 hours to leave.
Grant was responding to illegal cotton trading, which he was convinced was being run by Jews — a classic antisemitic conspiracy theory.
In a statement to the War Department, he claimed “The Jews seem to be a privileged class that can travel anywhere.”
He called Jews a “curse.”
In a statement to the War Department, he claimed “The Jews seem to be a privileged class that can travel anywhere.”
He called Jews a “curse.”
When General Order No. 11 was issued, dozens of Jews were rounded up & forced to leave their homes.
On Dec. 28, thirty Jewish families were expelled from Paducah, Kentucky, including at least two Union soldiers.
Grant & his army targeted Jews because they were Jews.
On Dec. 28, thirty Jewish families were expelled from Paducah, Kentucky, including at least two Union soldiers.
Grant & his army targeted Jews because they were Jews.
Some of the Jewish families from Paducah, led by Cesar Kaskel, telegraphed President Lincoln as they were forced from their homes.
They described the order as "the grossest violation of the Constitution and our rights as good citizens under it."
They described the order as "the grossest violation of the Constitution and our rights as good citizens under it."
Jewish groups across the country rose up in protest, lobbying the government to take action.
Kaskel met with members of Congress and President Lincoln himself, who was unaware of and shocked by the order.
On Jan. 6, 1863, Lincoln revoked it, apologizing to the Jewish community.
Kaskel met with members of Congress and President Lincoln himself, who was unaware of and shocked by the order.
On Jan. 6, 1863, Lincoln revoked it, apologizing to the Jewish community.
In later years, Grant distanced himself from the order.
When he ran for president, he said it “was issued and sent without any reflection and without thinking."
As president, he named more Jews to public office than ever before.
When he ran for president, he said it “was issued and sent without any reflection and without thinking."
As president, he named more Jews to public office than ever before.
It's possible that Grant changed his views on Jews throughout his life & career.
But that doesn't change that he committed state violence against Jews and reinforced deadly conspiracy theories.
And it doesn't excuse his genocidal acts against Native peoples.
But that doesn't change that he committed state violence against Jews and reinforced deadly conspiracy theories.
And it doesn't excuse his genocidal acts against Native peoples.
President Grant harmed many people, including specific acts of state violence against indigenous peoples, Jews, and Black people.
If you are outraged about his statue coming down, you should remember that — and remember that these uprisings are about defending Black lives.
If you are outraged about his statue coming down, you should remember that — and remember that these uprisings are about defending Black lives.
Read more about President Grant's antisemitic General Order No. 11 here:
history.com/news/ulysses-g…
history.com/news/ulysses-g…
