Gilded Age Politics The Populist Movement The Presidents

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Gilded Age Politics & The Populist Movement

Gilded Age Politics & The Populist Movement

The Presidents n Conservative n Narrow view of role of president n President= administrative

The Presidents n Conservative n Narrow view of role of president n President= administrative job… not a leadership position!

James Garfield/Chester Arthur n James Garfield – Assassination – Charles Guiteau n Chester A.

James Garfield/Chester Arthur n James Garfield – Assassination – Charles Guiteau n Chester A. Arthur – Pendleton Act Garfield Arthur

Grover Cleveland n n 1 st Democrat after Civil War Served 2 nonconsecutive terms

Grover Cleveland n n 1 st Democrat after Civil War Served 2 nonconsecutive terms ICC Pullman Strike

Interstate Commerce Commission n 1 st federal regulatory agency n Regulating Interstate Commerce is

Interstate Commerce Commission n 1 st federal regulatory agency n Regulating Interstate Commerce is a federal right n The Federal Gov’t can now regulate railroad rates!

Benjamin Harrison n Sherman Anti-Trust – – – Vague & useless Impossible to enforce

Benjamin Harrison n Sherman Anti-Trust – – – Vague & useless Impossible to enforce Ban of “illegal combinations” applied to labor unions!

The Grange and Populist Movements “The Plight of the Farmer”

The Grange and Populist Movements “The Plight of the Farmer”

Problems of Farmers n n n n Difficulty of farmers Decline in commodity prices

Problems of Farmers n n n n Difficulty of farmers Decline in commodity prices International competition Railroads Fees High tariffs Debt Inadequate currency

Organizations for Farmers n The Grange – Educating farmers – Regulation of railroads &

Organizations for Farmers n The Grange – Educating farmers – Regulation of railroads & grain elevator rates (Grange Laws) – Interstate Commerce Commission n The Farmer’s Alliance – Whites only – Many views the same as Populist Party

The Populist Movement n Goals – – – – n Free coinage of silver

The Populist Movement n Goals – – – – n Free coinage of silver One term for Pres Popular election of senators Secret ballot An 8 hour workday Nationalization of railroads Immigration restriction Income tax William Jennings Bryan

“Cross of Gold” n If they dare to come out in the open field

“Cross of Gold” n If they dare to come out in the open field and defend the gold standard as a good thing, we shall fight them to the uttermost, having behind us the producing masses of the nation and the world. Having behind us the commercial interests and the laboring interests and all the toiling masses, we shall answer their demands for a gold standard by saying to them, you shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns. You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.

Election of 1896 n Republicans – William Mc. Kinley n Democrats – William Jennings

Election of 1896 n Republicans – William Mc. Kinley n Democrats – William Jennings Bryan § Cross of Gold n Populists – William Jennings Bryan n Mc. Kinley Outcome