Unit 6 Topic 22 Gilded Age Politics Agrarian

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Unit #6 Topic 22 Gilded Age Politics & Agrarian Revolt

Unit #6 Topic 22 Gilded Age Politics & Agrarian Revolt

APUSH Power. Point #6. 4 (Part 1 of 3) Unit #6 Chapters 19 BFW

APUSH Power. Point #6. 4 (Part 1 of 3) Unit #6 Chapters 19 BFW Textbook (e. Book) TOPIC – Gilded Age Politics & Agrarian Revolt [1880 -1917]

Reconstruction Ends…. How did Reconstruction end in 1877? § Political scandals. § Major economic

Reconstruction Ends…. How did Reconstruction end in 1877? § Political scandals. § Major economic crisis (Panic of 1873). § Southern bitterness weakened the North’s determination to carry through on the promise of Reconstruction. § “Compromise of 1877” between Democrats and Republicans. § Withdrawal of federal troops from the South.

Reconstruction’s Long-Term Effects…. What were some long-term positive effects of Reconstruction on the South?

Reconstruction’s Long-Term Effects…. What were some long-term positive effects of Reconstruction on the South? § Union is restored. § Blacks gain citizenship and voting rights for males. § South’s economy and infrastructure is improved. § Southern states establish public school systems. § Morehouse College and other blacks schools in the South were created to further education for blacks.

I. Nature of Gilded Age Politics

I. Nature of Gilded Age Politics

Background § Post Civil War Period labeled “Gilded Age” based on the title of

Background § Post Civil War Period labeled “Gilded Age” based on the title of a novel with the same name by Mark Twain. § The Gilded Age was marked with greed and corruption (both political and business). § The “Captains of Industry” (J. P. Morgan, Andrew Carnegie, and John D. Rockefeller) ran the nation, not Congress or the President.

A. Paradoxical Characteristics Stalemate by High Participation § Both Republicans and Democrats created stalemate.

A. Paradoxical Characteristics Stalemate by High Participation § Both Republicans and Democrats created stalemate. § Economic growth expanded rapidly while there were few regulations concerning consumers or workers. “Real” & Crucial Issues § Real national issues included: tariff, regulation of corporations, monetary policy, Indian disputes, civil service reform, and immigration.

B. Partisan Politics Reason’s for Loyalty § Loyalties to both parties included an anchor

B. Partisan Politics Reason’s for Loyalty § Loyalties to both parties included an anchor for activities, patronage, and a sense of camaraderie. Republican Party § Attracted Protestants of British descent, (geographically - New England, upstate New York, upper Midwest, Union veterans, and blacks. § Supported nativist causes, temperance and prohibition, and blamed ethnic groups for social ills.

B. Partisan Politics Democratic Party § Heterogeneous party made up of a coalition of

B. Partisan Politics Democratic Party § Heterogeneous party made up of a coalition of several groups: southern whites, immigrants (primarily Catholics of all immigrant groups), Jews, and those opposed to the “morality” imposed by Republicans.

C. National Stalemate Even Division Between Parties § Both parties were evenly matched by

C. National Stalemate Even Division Between Parties § Both parties were evenly matched by their political numbers resulting in a divided government. Deferential President § No president in this period was considered “strong” due to the make-up of the nation. Divided Congress § Republicans controlled the Senate while Democrats controlled the House of Representatives.

D. State & Local Politics Active Governments § State governments and localities were the

D. State & Local Politics Active Governments § State governments and localities were the real power of any government as most Americans expected little support at the national level. § Government services were sought after by city governments § 60% of the nation’s spending and taxing was conducted at the local level.

II. National Politics, Corruption, & Reform

II. National Politics, Corruption, & Reform

A. Attitudes Toward Corruption Regulation of “Big Business” § States made attempts to regulate

A. Attitudes Toward Corruption Regulation of “Big Business” § States made attempts to regulate businesses by passing laws, but these laws were overturned by the federal courts. § Few in Congress (or state/local government officials) saw any problems with “patronage democracy”. § This “spoils system” was the seat of corruption at custom houses, post offices, and government jobs. § The most important national issue of the “Gilded Age”

Rutherford B. Hayes 19 th President 1877— 1881 Party: Republican Home State: Ohio Vice

Rutherford B. Hayes 19 th President 1877— 1881 Party: Republican Home State: Ohio Vice President: William Wheeler

Rutherford B. Hayes Domestic § Elected as part of the “Compromise of 1877. ”

Rutherford B. Hayes Domestic § Elected as part of the “Compromise of 1877. ” § His presidency officially ended Reconstruction by the removal of federal troops from the South. § Industrialization of some urban areas in the South began to emerge. § Based own appointments on merit of Foreign

B. Hayes Administration Background & Character § Considered “honest, respectable, competent, and dignified, and

B. Hayes Administration Background & Character § Considered “honest, respectable, competent, and dignified, and publically perceived to be above the corruption. § Hayes sought laws to end the graft suing the office of the presidency. § Civil War veteran and governor of Ohio (three terms).

B. Hayes Administration Republican Party Split § “Stalwarts” generally favored “Radical” Reconstruction and were

B. Hayes Administration Republican Party Split § “Stalwarts” generally favored “Radical” Reconstruction and were stalwart in their support of President Ulysses S. Grant; In addition, they supported the “spoils system” and were led by Senator Roscoe Conkling (New York). § “Half-Breeds” were partially loyal to President Ulysses S. Grant and wanted to see some changes to the patronage of party members; Led by Senator James

B. Hayes Administration Need for Civil Service Reform § Hayes supported a merit system

B. Hayes Administration Need for Civil Service Reform § Hayes supported a merit system (similar to the policies used in Europe). § Public support was moving in the direction of reforming the civil service. Hayes & Merit Appointments § Hayes did remove Chester Arthur (NYC Customs House) for rewarding political supporters.

B. Hayes Administration Hayes Limited Government Activism § Hayes was limited on his use

B. Hayes Administration Hayes Limited Government Activism § Hayes was limited on his use of power. § In 1877, he sent troops to break-up the “Great Railroad Strike”. § In 1878, he vetoed the Bland-Allison Act which would have provided a limited expansion of silver money through the federal government’s purchase of $2 -4 million worth of silver (per month) – the veto was overridden and the law went into effect.

C. Election of 1880 Presidential Election of 1880 – § The Democratic Party nominated

C. Election of 1880 Presidential Election of 1880 – § The Democratic Party nominated Winfield Scott Hancock (a Union veteran of the Civil War) and the platform was to lower tariffs and reform the civil service. § The Republican Party nominated James A. Garfield who was opposed to civil service reform and favored high tariffs. § The popular vote of the election was close (nearly 2, 000 votes separated the two candidates), but Garfield carried nearly 60% of the Electoral Vote.

C. Election of 1880 Presidential Election of 1880

C. Election of 1880 Presidential Election of 1880

APUSH Power. Point #6. 4 (Part 2 of 3) Unit #6 Chapters 19 BFW

APUSH Power. Point #6. 4 (Part 2 of 3) Unit #6 Chapters 19 BFW Textbook (e. Book) TOPIC – Gilded Age Politics & Agrarian Revolt [1880 -1917]

James A. Garfield 20 th President 1881 Party: Republican Home State: New York Vice

James A. Garfield 20 th President 1881 Party: Republican Home State: New York Vice President: Chester A. Arthur

James A. Garfield Domestic § Opposed civil service reform, but offered some modest changes

James A. Garfield Domestic § Opposed civil service reform, but offered some modest changes in the selection process of civil servants. § Second president to be assassinated in office (1881) by Charles Guiteau. § Succeeded by his Vice President, Chester A. Arthur. Foreign

D. The Garfield-Arthur Administration James Garfield’s Presidency – § Garfield attempted some measures civil

D. The Garfield-Arthur Administration James Garfield’s Presidency – § Garfield attempted some measures civil service reform, but did not follow-through with some obligations under the spoils system. § In June of 1881, Garfield was approached by a former supporter, Charles Guiteau (who felted wronged by not receiving a promised post offered by the Republican Party), and was shot. § Within a few months, Garfield was dead and Arthur became

D. The Garfield-Arthur Administration Garfield’s Background § Native of Ohio and opposed slavery (pre-Civil

D. The Garfield-Arthur Administration Garfield’s Background § Native of Ohio and opposed slavery (pre-Civil War Era). § Civil War veteran. Assassination of Garfield Arthur’s Background § Abolitionist lawyer and Stalwart. § Supporter of Senator Roscoe Conkling who distanced

Chester A. Arthur 21 st President 1881— 1885 Party: Republican Home State: New York

Chester A. Arthur 21 st President 1881— 1885 Party: Republican Home State: New York Vice President: -None

D. The Garfield-Arthur Administration (Cont’d. . . ) Arthur’s Actions as President § Prosecution

D. The Garfield-Arthur Administration (Cont’d. . . ) Arthur’s Actions as President § Prosecution of Star Route Frauds (kickback scheme involving contracts for postal routes involving Stalwarts). § Veto of Chinese Exclusion Act (1882); Congress overrode veto. § Support of Pendleton Civil Service Reform (valued merit over partisanship). § Support of Tariff Reduction (Arthur supported cutting).

D. The Garfield-Arthur Administration (Cont’d. . . ) Campaign of 1884 § Arthur not

D. The Garfield-Arthur Administration (Cont’d. . . ) Campaign of 1884 § Arthur not selected as a candidate (due to record as president and his support of the reformers in the Republican party). Republican Nomination of Blaine & Logan § Blaine’s Background (considered corrupt). § Mulligan Letters (implicated Blaine in scandal involving railroad kickbacks the selling of votes as Speaker of the House.

D. The Garfield-Arthur Administration (Cont’d. . . ) Democratic Nomination of Cleveland § Cleveland’s

D. The Garfield-Arthur Administration (Cont’d. . . ) Democratic Nomination of Cleveland § Cleveland’s political background was considered clean. § Illegitimate child (sent child support). § “Rum, Romanticism, and Rebellion” was an attack on Catholics and Irish (some of who supported Blaine). Election Results § Cleveland’s victory was 219 -182.

D. The Garfield-Arthur Administration (Cont’d. . . ) Presidential Election of 1884

D. The Garfield-Arthur Administration (Cont’d. . . ) Presidential Election of 1884

Grover Cleveland 22 nd President 1885 – 1889 Party: Democratic Home State: New York

Grover Cleveland 22 nd President 1885 – 1889 Party: Democratic Home State: New York Vice President: Thomas Hendricks

Grover Cleveland Domestic § Held strict view of the Constitution. On the limited role

Grover Cleveland Domestic § Held strict view of the Constitution. On the limited role of the federal government on social and economic matters. § Mixed record on civil service reform. § Supported low tariffs and civil service reform. § Signed the Dawes General Foreign

E. Cleveland’s Presidency Cleveland’s View of the Role of Government Actions on Civil Service

E. Cleveland’s Presidency Cleveland’s View of the Role of Government Actions on Civil Service § Removed several merit-based Republicans from office. Stand Against Veteran’s Pensions § Cleveland opposed Union war veteran pensions.

E. Cleveland’s Presidency (Cont’d. . . ) Effort for Railroad Legislation § Cleveland supported

E. Cleveland’s Presidency (Cont’d. . . ) Effort for Railroad Legislation § Cleveland supported Congress’s position to regulate railroads using Wabash, St. Louis, & Pacific Railroad Company v. Illinois (1886) which denied a state’s power to regulate interstate commerce. § Cleveland signed the Interstate Commerce Act which created the Interstate Commerce Commission (which regulated railroads).

E. Cleveland’s Presidency (Cont’d. . . ) Stand for Tariff Reform § Cleveland became

E. Cleveland’s Presidency (Cont’d. . . ) Stand for Tariff Reform § Cleveland became critical of a high tariff as creating the corporate giants (with limited competition, businesses created monopolies). § The push for low tariffs by Cleveland created an issue both parties disagreed over the issue.

E. Cleveland’s Presidency (Cont’d. . . ) Election of 1888 § Cleveland renominated §

E. Cleveland’s Presidency (Cont’d. . . ) Election of 1888 § Cleveland renominated § Republican nomination of Benjamin Harrison § Campaign focuses on tariff § Personal attacks § Results of the election

E. Cleveland’s Presidency (Cont’d. . . ) Presidential Election of 1888 – § The

E. Cleveland’s Presidency (Cont’d. . . ) Presidential Election of 1888 – § The Democratic Party nominated the incumbent president Grover Cleveland who continued to favor low tariffs. § The Republican Party nominated Benjamin Harrison (grandson of “Tippecanoe” – William Henry Harrison). § The popular vote went to Cleveland, but Harrison carried almost 60% of the Electoral Vote to win.

E. Cleveland’s Presidency (Cont’d. . . ) Presidential Election of 1888

E. Cleveland’s Presidency (Cont’d. . . ) Presidential Election of 1888

Benjamin Harrison 23 rd President 1889 – 1893 Party: Republican Home State: Indiana Vice

Benjamin Harrison 23 rd President 1889 – 1893 Party: Republican Home State: Indiana Vice President: Levi Morton

Benjamin Harrison Domestic § Signed the Sherman Anti-trust Act of 1890 to tackle the

Benjamin Harrison Domestic § Signed the Sherman Anti-trust Act of 1890 to tackle the trusts (but, primarily used to make union activity illegal). § Grandfather was William Henry Harrison – “Tippecanoe ” (9 th President). § Presided over the “Billion Dollar Congress. ” § Dependent Pension Act § Sherman Silver Purchase Act Foreign

F. Republican Reform under Harrison’s Bland Personality Harrison’s Appointments Republican Control of Congress, 1889—

F. Republican Reform under Harrison’s Bland Personality Harrison’s Appointments Republican Control of Congress, 1889— 1891 Passage of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890 § Named for John Sherman who chaired the who drafted the bill. § The Anti-Trust Act sought to stop any entity which

F. Republican Reform under Harrison Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890 § The act

F. Republican Reform under Harrison Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890 § The act replaced the Bland-Allison Act of 1878. § It promoted the federal government’s purchase of silver to issue paper money redeemable in gold or silver. § It did not cause any inflation, but business interests saw it as a threat to financial stability and the gold reserve. Effect of the Mc. Kinley Tariff of 1890

F. Republican Reform under Harrison (Cont’d. . . ) Democratic Congressional Victories § The

F. Republican Reform under Harrison (Cont’d. . . ) Democratic Congressional Victories § The results of excessive Republican spending. § Impact of the mid-term elections on prohibition and social issues.

III. Problems of Farmers

III. Problems of Farmers

A. Multiple Farm Interests Issues & Organizations § Farmers felt the pressure of the

A. Multiple Farm Interests Issues & Organizations § Farmers felt the pressure of the high tariffs as crop prices began to fall and farmers went more into debt. § Disgruntled farmers took political action and organized. § However, distance, rugged individualism, pride, and communications made agrarian politics difficult to gain any real change (at least immediately). § Farmers did organize the Granger Movement,

B. Worsening Economic & Social Conditions Causes of Declining Agricultural Prices § Overproduction in

B. Worsening Economic & Social Conditions Causes of Declining Agricultural Prices § Overproduction in the Midwest and the South drove down prices. § Worldwide competition also contributed to falling prices as a glut for various farm products. Railroads as Villains Effects of the Tariff on Farmers

C. Patrons of Husbandry Development of the National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry

C. Patrons of Husbandry Development of the National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry § Founded by Oliver H. Kelly as a social and economic response to farmer’s isolation. § Farmers realized they could create cooperatives.

C. Patrons of Husbandry Effects of Granger Political Activity § Growth in the Grange

C. Patrons of Husbandry Effects of Granger Political Activity § Growth in the Grange led to the formation of political activism whereby farmers united for the regulation of railroad rates. § Farmers’ political allies began passing state laws in which railroad owners were subject to state regulation. § In Munn v. Illinois (1877), the Supreme Court ruled that the state, under its “police powers, ” had the right to regulate property where that property was clothed

D. Rise of the Greenback Party § Also known as the Independent National Party

D. Rise of the Greenback Party § Also known as the Independent National Party which focused on the virtues of paper money. § The Greenback Party polled a million voters in 1878, but the party declined by 1884.

APUSH Power. Point #6. 4 (Part 3 of 3) Unit #6 Chapters 19 BFW

APUSH Power. Point #6. 4 (Part 3 of 3) Unit #6 Chapters 19 BFW Textbook (e. Book) TOPIC – Gilded Age Politics & Agrarian Revolt [1880 -1917]

E. Farmer’s Alliance Membership & Politics § Began as social, recreational, and political organization

E. Farmer’s Alliance Membership & Politics § Began as social, recreational, and political organization grassroots organization. § Used to help to provide relief from chronic indebtedness, declining prices, and droughts. § Found in the South and West. § Consisted of about 2. 5 million members (including 1 million black members in the Colored Farmers’ National Alliance) by the 1890 census.

F. Formation of the Populist Party Development of the Populist Party § Also known

F. Formation of the Populist Party Development of the Populist Party § Also known as the “People’s Party”. § Found in the Western states and gained power at the state-level (governors and legislatures). Platform Stands Presidential Nominees

F. Formation of the Populist Party Development of the Populist Party § Also known

F. Formation of the Populist Party Development of the Populist Party § Also known as the “People’s Party”. § Found in the Western states and gained power at the state-level (governors and legislatures). § Leaders included women (e. g. Mary Elizabeth Lease) and other agrarian radicals (e. g. Jeremiah Simpson).

F. Formation of the Populist Party (Cont’d. . . ) Platform Stands § Unlimited

F. Formation of the Populist Party (Cont’d. . . ) Platform Stands § Unlimited coinage of silver § Graduated income tax § Eight-hour workday Victory of Cleveland in 1892 § The Democrats nominated Grover Cleveland for a 2 nd term. § The Republicans nominated Benjamin Harrison. § Populist nominated James B. Weaver.

F. Formation of the Populist Party (Cont’d. . . ) The Presidential Election of

F. Formation of the Populist Party (Cont’d. . . ) The Presidential Election of 1892

Grover Cleveland 24 th President 1893 – 1897 Party: Democratic Home State: New York

Grover Cleveland 24 th President 1893 – 1897 Party: Democratic Home State: New York Vice President: Adlai Stevenson

Grover Cleveland Domestic § Only president to be elected to two non-consecutive terms §

Grover Cleveland Domestic § Only president to be elected to two non-consecutive terms § President during the “Panic of 1893” and recession which followed § Sent federal troops into Illinois to break up the Pullman Strike of 1894. Foreign

IV. The Economy, Silver, & Politics

IV. The Economy, Silver, & Politics

A. The Currency & Money Supply Deflation § Occurred as the per capita currency

A. The Currency & Money Supply Deflation § Occurred as the per capita currency decreased by 10%. § Currency deflation raised the cost of borrowing money as bankers kept interest rates high. Metallic Currency § Was part of the Mint Act of 1972 which authorized the free and unlimited coinage of silver and gold (ration 15: 1).

A. The Currency & Money Supply “Crime of 1873” § Term used to describe

A. The Currency & Money Supply “Crime of 1873” § Term used to describe the Congress changing the law in 1873 when the United States went to a gold standard. § As silver coinage increased due to western mining of the commodity, the price of silver dropped. § Pro-silver supporters (those who wanted inflation) believed eastern bankers and merchants benefitted from higher interest rates. § Bland-Allison and Sherman Purchase acts helped offset

B. Depression of 1893 Wall Street Panic § Began when the Reading and Philadelphia

B. Depression of 1893 Wall Street Panic § Began when the Reading and Philadelphia Railroads declared bankruptcy (other overextended railroads also collapsed). Unemployment & Strikes § By 1894, nearly 750, 000 workers went on strike. § Many began working their way east to form a march on Washington, D. C. (though, few did make the entire trip).

B. Depression of 1893 Bank Failures § By 1893, over 600 banks collapsed. “Coxey’s

B. Depression of 1893 Bank Failures § By 1893, over 600 banks collapsed. “Coxey’s Army” § Led by Jacob Coxey (wealthy businessman turned populist). § The army of marchers eventually dispersed and Coxey was arrested. § “Populism” lost support from the many due to their perceived radical nature.

C. Currency Issue Repeal of Sherman Silver Purchase Act § British investors began pulling

C. Currency Issue Repeal of Sherman Silver Purchase Act § British investors began pulling their investments out of the United States markets in exchange for gold. § The repeal stopped the redeeming of gold for silver notes. § President Grover Cleveland signed the repeal of the Silver Purchase Act which created a division on the Democratic Party. Demands for Silver Coinage

D. Presidential Election of 1896 – § Republicans nominated William Mc. Kinley who favored

D. Presidential Election of 1896 – § Republicans nominated William Mc. Kinley who favored the gold standard and high tariffs to maintain stability; he was supported by the “Gold Bugs. ” § Democrats nominated William Jennings Bryan who favored bimetallism (the coining of both silver and gold in an effort to encourage inflation of the dollar); Bryan was supported by the “Silverites” and aggressively campaigned by train. § Despite only winning a slight majority of the popular vote, Mc. Kinley carried the Electoral Vote (271 to 176).

D. Presidential Election of 1896

D. Presidential Election of 1896

William Mc. Kinley 25 th President 1897 – 1901 Party: Republican Home State: Ohio

William Mc. Kinley 25 th President 1897 – 1901 Party: Republican Home State: Ohio Vice President: Garrett A. Hobart (1 st Term) Theodore Roosevelt (2 nd Term)

William Mc. Kinley Domestic § Elected to two terms in Foreign § 1896 and

William Mc. Kinley Domestic § Elected to two terms in Foreign § 1896 and 1900 § Supported high tariffs § Assassinated six months into second term Forced the annexation of Hawaii § President during the Spanish-American War § President during the acquisition of Guam, the Philippines, Puerto Rico

E. The End of the Era Dingley Tariff § Following the election, the industrialist

E. The End of the Era Dingley Tariff § Following the election, the industrialist supporting Mc. Kinley called a special session of Congress to raise the tariff to the highest tariff ever restoring some economic stability and ending the 1893 depression. § In 1900, Congress passed a Gold Standard Act marking an end to the silver movement.

E. The End of the Era Global Concerns § On the eve of the

E. The End of the Era Global Concerns § On the eve of the Twentieth Century, the national issues of tariff and monetary policy gave way to worldwide concerns. § The Spanish-American War and the rise of Imperialism became major issues. § The Democratic Party shifted from agrarian to urban “progressive” reforms. § The national government would play a larger role in

Making Connections – Topic 22 q The laissez-faire policies of the Gilded Age were

Making Connections – Topic 22 q The laissez-faire policies of the Gilded Age were challenged by Progressive reform activists, as will be discussed in PPT Topic 24.

Making Connections – Topic 22 q William Jennings Bryan was one of the most

Making Connections – Topic 22 q William Jennings Bryan was one of the most prominent figures in American politics and political culture for nearly thirty years. He will be discussed in PPT Topic 24 and PPT Topic 26.