skipped forward to the 21st century in grants reputation we see has taken an unmistakable upswing in c-span most recent poll in 2021, he went up to 20, just above the middle. now think historians polls to be taken with a grain of salt. but i also believe the president can be described as great. one of my essays and granted hundred explorers the changing presidential standing of our 18th president in the eyes of history and why i believe he belongs in the pantheon of great presidents. and much of my own focus goes to the political and the legal to the constitutional really that took place during the reconstruction era. so while the constitution does not assign presidents a direct role in the ratification of constitutional amendments presidents can still exercise the power they do have to secure them. the most foundational constitution all developments in which presidents played significant role were those of the founding and of the civil war reconstruction era. three presidents in particular such a role. washington, lincoln and grant as the first president. washington provided a forum to the