National Politics in the Gilded Age

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National National Politics in the Politics in the Gilded Age Gilded Age

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National Politics in the Gilded Age. The Gilded Age. The term "Gilded Age“ coined by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley in their 1873 novel The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today . It refers to the decades between the end of reconstruction and the turn of the century (about 1877 to 1900). - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of National Politics in the Gilded Age

Page 1: National Politics in the Gilded Age

National Politics National Politics in the Gilded Agein the Gilded Age

Page 2: National Politics in the Gilded Age

The Gilded AgeThe Gilded Age The term "Gilded Age“ coined The term "Gilded Age“ coined

by Mark Twain and Charles by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley in their 1873 novel Dudley in their 1873 novel The Gilded Age: A Tale of The Gilded Age: A Tale of TodayToday. .

It refers to the decades It refers to the decades between the end of between the end of reconstruction and the turn reconstruction and the turn of the century (about 1877 to of the century (about 1877 to 1900). 1900).

The three main themes: The three main themes: lassiez-faire versus lassiez-faire versus

government expansiongovernment expansion economic and political economic and political

corruption corruption formation of modern formation of modern

political and economic political and economic normsnorms

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Gilded Age TimelineGilded Age Timeline1868: Congress enacts an 8-hour 1868: Congress enacts an 8-hour

workday for workers employed workday for workers employed by the government.by the government.

1869: The transcontinental railroad 1869: The transcontinental railroad is completed.is completed.

1870: Rockefeller forms Standard 1870: Rockefeller forms Standard Oil of OhioOil of Ohio

1873: The Financial Panic of 1873 1873: The Financial Panic of 1873 begins. 5,183 business fail.begins. 5,183 business fail.

1876: Bell patents the telephone1876: Bell patents the telephone..

1877: Edison invents the 1877: Edison invents the phonograph.phonograph.

1879: Edison invents the light bulb1879: Edison invents the light bulb

1894: The American Railway 1894: The American Railway Union’s strike and boycott of Union’s strike and boycott of Pullman cars end in violence.Pullman cars end in violence.

1886: The Haymarket riot 1886: The Haymarket riot occurs in Chicago following a occurs in Chicago following a demonstration of over demonstration of over 300,000 workers for 8 hour 300,000 workers for 8 hour work days.work days.American Federation of Labor American Federation of Labor Founded.Founded.

1890: Sherman Anti-Trust Act is 1890: Sherman Anti-Trust Act is passed and promptly ignored.passed and promptly ignored.

1892: The Homestead Strike at 1892: The Homestead Strike at one of Andrew Carnegie’s one of Andrew Carnegie’s steel works ends in violence.steel works ends in violence.

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The Election of 1880The Election of 1880 After 18 years in Congress, After 18 years in Congress,

James Garfield became the James Garfield became the dark horse Republican nominee dark horse Republican nominee for President .for President .

His running mate was Chester His running mate was Chester Arthur.Arthur.

The race between Garfield and The race between Garfield and the Democrat Winfield the Democrat Winfield Hancock centered on the tariff Hancock centered on the tariff issue. issue.

Republicans won favor with Republicans won favor with business, labor, and business, labor, and Northerners by advocating a Northerners by advocating a protective tariff. protective tariff.

Democrats sought to appease Democrats sought to appease the interests of farmers and the interests of farmers and Southerners by opposing such Southerners by opposing such tariffs as inflationary and anti-tariffs as inflationary and anti-consumer. consumer.

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The Election of 1880The Election of 1880

The pie graph of the popular vote on the electoral map below demonstrates the divided nature of the American electorate,

which would continue throughout the 1880's and 1890's.

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The Assassination of James The Assassination of James GarfieldGarfield

Garfield’s presidency was cut short after only four months, when Garfield’s presidency was cut short after only four months, when a disappointed office seeker shot and mortally wounded the a disappointed office seeker shot and mortally wounded the president. president.

The assassination became a catalyst for Civil Service Reform Act, The assassination became a catalyst for Civil Service Reform Act, which officially made the United States’ bureaucracy a which officially made the United States’ bureaucracy a meritocracy instead of a system rooted in patronage and graft.meritocracy instead of a system rooted in patronage and graft.

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The Presidency of The Presidency of Chester ArthurChester Arthur

Chester Arthur became the Chester Arthur became the twenty-first President of the twenty-first President of the United States after President United States after President Garfield was slain. Garfield was slain.

He was a product of the He was a product of the patronage system. patronage system.

It was a surprise when Arthur It was a surprise when Arthur proved himself an proved himself an independent executive who independent executive who was able to make unpopular was able to make unpopular decisions. decisions.

He pushed for lower tariffs, He pushed for lower tariffs, though Republicans usually though Republicans usually sought to appease corporate sought to appease corporate constituents.constituents.

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The Pendleton Civil The Pendleton Civil Service ActService Act

One of Arthur's most surprising actions was his One of Arthur's most surprising actions was his support of the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883, support of the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883, which created a new system for filling vacancies which created a new system for filling vacancies and outlawed political contributions from civil and outlawed political contributions from civil servants: servants:

““First, for open, competitive examinations for First, for open, competitive examinations for testing the fitness of applicants for the public testing the fitness of applicants for the public service … Second, that all the offices… shall be service … Second, that all the offices… shall be filled by selections according to grade from filled by selections according to grade from among those graded highest as the results of among those graded highest as the results of such competitive examinations.”such competitive examinations.”

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The Chinese Exclusion The Chinese Exclusion ActAct

Another of legislation that came during Another of legislation that came during Arthur's presidency was the Chinese Arthur's presidency was the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which was the first Exclusion Act of 1882, which was the first federal restriction on immigration. federal restriction on immigration.

Arthur vetoed a more restrictive version of Arthur vetoed a more restrictive version of the bill, which angered labor groups, but the bill, which angered labor groups, but signed one that halted Chinese immigration signed one that halted Chinese immigration for ten years and forbid citizenship for for ten years and forbid citizenship for Chinese persons already in the country. Chinese persons already in the country.

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Mugwumps and the Mugwumps and the Election of 1884Election of 1884

Democrat Grover Cleveland Democrat Grover Cleveland narrowly won the thanks to narrowly won the thanks to divisions within the divisions within the Republican Party.Republican Party.

Idealistic Republican Idealistic Republican "Mugwumps,“ voted for "Mugwumps,“ voted for Cleveland because of their Cleveland because of their disgust over James Blaine’s disgust over James Blaine’s implication in scandals.implication in scandals.

Cleveland became the first Cleveland became the first Democratic president since Democratic president since James Buchanan. James Buchanan.

The "honest" (Mugwump) The "honest" (Mugwump) Republican voter in this Republican voter in this cartoon chooses the path of cartoon chooses the path of independence, following the independence, following the brains end of the Republican brains end of the Republican elephant. elephant.

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The Election of 1884The Election of 1884

This mass defection of reform-minded Republicans became known as the This mass defection of reform-minded Republicans became known as the "Republican Revolt." "Republican Revolt."

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The First Cleveland The First Cleveland AdministrationAdministration

As a "caretaker" president, As a "caretaker" president, Cleveland rarely proposed Cleveland rarely proposed legislation on his own. legislation on his own.

However, he pushed civil However, he pushed civil service reform and opposed service reform and opposed the costly pensions that Civil the costly pensions that Civil War veterans clamored for. War veterans clamored for.

He sided with creditors and He sided with creditors and conservatives as a proponent conservatives as a proponent of the gold standard in the of the gold standard in the controversy over currency.controversy over currency.

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Cleveland and the Tariff Cleveland and the Tariff IssueIssue

Cleveland dedicated his 1887 State of the Union Cleveland dedicated his 1887 State of the Union Address to one of the defining issues of his Address to one of the defining issues of his presidency and his time: tariff reform. presidency and his time: tariff reform.

After the Civil War, the government routinely ran a After the Civil War, the government routinely ran a budget surplus.budget surplus.

Manufacturers advocated the tariff because it Manufacturers advocated the tariff because it allowed them to charge higher prices in the absence allowed them to charge higher prices in the absence of foreign competition.of foreign competition.

Farmers opposed it for the same reason.Farmers opposed it for the same reason. Cleveland advocated a reduction in tariffs, which Cleveland advocated a reduction in tariffs, which

alienated the Republican faction that got him alienated the Republican faction that got him elected.elected.

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The Interstate Commerce The Interstate Commerce Act of 1887Act of 1887

In 1887, Cleveland signed the Interstate In 1887, Cleveland signed the Interstate Commerce Act, which established the Interstate Commerce Act, which established the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC). Commerce Commission (ICC).

The ICC was first independent regulatory agency The ICC was first independent regulatory agency in the history of the United States Government. in the history of the United States Government.

It was designed to regulate the monopolistic It was designed to regulate the monopolistic railroad industry, which employed discriminatory railroad industry, which employed discriminatory pricing practices and kickbacks to benefit big pricing practices and kickbacks to benefit big business, like Standard Oil, and politicians, like business, like Standard Oil, and politicians, like James Blaine.James Blaine.

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The Election of 1888The Election of 1888

Cleveland's position on the tariff alienated the Republicans who supported him in Cleveland's position on the tariff alienated the Republicans who supported him in 1884. 1884.

The Republicans chose Benjamin Harrison of Indiana. The Republicans chose Benjamin Harrison of Indiana. The campaign was subdued and narrowly focused on the tariff issue. The campaign was subdued and narrowly focused on the tariff issue. Cleveland narrowly won the popular vote, but Harrison won with a majority of the Cleveland narrowly won the popular vote, but Harrison won with a majority of the

electoral vote. electoral vote.

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The Presidency of Benjamin The Presidency of Benjamin HarrisonHarrison

Though he received 100,000 Though he received 100,000 fewer votes than Cleveland, fewer votes than Cleveland, Benjamin Harrison became Benjamin Harrison became the nation's 23rd President.the nation's 23rd President.

He was active in establishing He was active in establishing trade relations with Mexico trade relations with Mexico and Central America .and Central America .

He was the first president He was the first president since 1875 to enjoy majorities since 1875 to enjoy majorities from his party in both houses from his party in both houses of Congress. of Congress.

Huge appropriations bills Huge appropriations bills increased the national budget increased the national budget to over $1 billion. to over $1 billion.

Democrats were able to Democrats were able to campaign against the "Billion campaign against the "Billion Dollar Congress" and win the Dollar Congress" and win the midterm elections of 1890. midterm elections of 1890.

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The Sherman Silver The Sherman Silver Purchase Act and the Purchase Act and the

McKinley TariffMcKinley Tariff

In return for passing the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890, In return for passing the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890, Republicans established the protectionist McKinley Tariff of 1890. Republicans established the protectionist McKinley Tariff of 1890.

The McKinley Tariff was the second highest in US History, raising The McKinley Tariff was the second highest in US History, raising duties by 50 percent. It also had the effect of raising prices for duties by 50 percent. It also had the effect of raising prices for consumers. consumers.

The Sherman Silver Purchase Act put more silver-backed money into The Sherman Silver Purchase Act put more silver-backed money into circulation, but it also led to a depletion the government's gold reserves circulation, but it also led to a depletion the government's gold reserves because an unexpectedly large number of citizens took advantage of a because an unexpectedly large number of citizens took advantage of a provision in the law that allowed holders of US Treasury bonds to provision in the law that allowed holders of US Treasury bonds to redeem them for gold. redeem them for gold.

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The Sherman Anti-Trust The Sherman Anti-Trust Act Act

The Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890 was the The Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890 was the government's first intervention to remedy the government's first intervention to remedy the restraint of trade caused by monopolies and restraint of trade caused by monopolies and trusts. trusts.

Though the measure passed unanimously in both Though the measure passed unanimously in both houses of Congress, it was vague in its houses of Congress, it was vague in its definitions and depended on the courts for definitions and depended on the courts for enforcement. enforcement.

It was not until the end of the 19th century that It was not until the end of the 19th century that the Act was stringently enforced and interpreted.the Act was stringently enforced and interpreted.

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United States v. E.C. Knight United States v. E.C. Knight and Co.and Co.

The opinion from the 1895 The opinion from the 1895 United States v. E.C. United States v. E.C. Knight and Co.Knight and Co. is an example of the loose is an example of the loose interpretation and enforcement of the Sherman interpretation and enforcement of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act in its early years. Anti-Trust Act in its early years.

According to Article I, Section 8 of the According to Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution, Congress may, "regulate commerce Constitution, Congress may, "regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several with foreign nations, and among the several states..." states..."

Thus, the federal government cannot control Thus, the federal government cannot control economic activity within one state. economic activity within one state.

In the In the KnightKnight case, court declined to apply the case, court declined to apply the law to a refining corporation that controlled 98% law to a refining corporation that controlled 98% of the nation's sugar because it did not consider of the nation's sugar because it did not consider manufacturing to be interstate commerce. manufacturing to be interstate commerce.

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The Election of 1892The Election of 1892

In 1892, the Democrats nominated Cleveland and the Republicans In 1892, the Democrats nominated Cleveland and the Republicans nominated Harrison.nominated Harrison.

Three third parties joined the race for the presidency as well. Three third parties joined the race for the presidency as well. Grover Cleveland made history as the only president to be elected to two Grover Cleveland made history as the only president to be elected to two

non-consecutive terms. non-consecutive terms. He won by the largest margin of any other president during the Gilded He won by the largest margin of any other president during the Gilded

Age.Age. He was the first Democratic president to have majorities in both houses He was the first Democratic president to have majorities in both houses

of Congress since before the Civil War.of Congress since before the Civil War.

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The Election of 1892The Election of 1892

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The Second Cleveland The Second Cleveland Administration and the Administration and the

Depression of 1893Depression of 1893 As Cleveland took office for a As Cleveland took office for a

second time, the country was second time, the country was on the brink of economic on the brink of economic depression. depression.

Over 16,000 business went Over 16,000 business went bankrupt, the unemployment bankrupt, the unemployment rate exceeded 20 percent, rate exceeded 20 percent, and wage cuts led to violent and wage cuts led to violent labor unrest and declining labor unrest and declining standards of living. standards of living.

Cleveland, to the dismay of Cleveland, to the dismay of fellow Democrats, forced fellow Democrats, forced repeal of the Sherman Silver repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act and a return to Purchase Act and a return to the gold standard as one the gold standard as one remedy for the financial remedy for the financial crisis. crisis.

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The Election of 1896: The Election of 1896: William Jennings BryanWilliam Jennings Bryan

President Cleveland's actions President Cleveland's actions during the depression during the depression alienated Democrats, who alienated Democrats, who were pro-silver. were pro-silver.

Instead they nominated the Instead they nominated the former Congressman and former Congressman and electrifying orator William electrifying orator William Jennings Bryan of Nebraska.Jennings Bryan of Nebraska.

The populist People's party The populist People's party also endorsed him. also endorsed him.

Bryan was called “The Great Bryan was called “The Great Commoner” because of his Commoner” because of his commitment and appeal to commitment and appeal to working and middle class working and middle class Americans.Americans.

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Excerpt from Bryan’s Excerpt from Bryan’s “Cross of Gold” Speech“Cross of Gold” Speech

Bryan’s support for the backing of currency with Bryan’s support for the backing of currency with silver instead of gold was due to the presumed silver instead of gold was due to the presumed inflation that it would cause, allowing farmers to more inflation that it would cause, allowing farmers to more easily pay back their debts. easily pay back their debts.

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

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The Election of 1896: The Election of 1896: William McKinleyWilliam McKinley

William McKinley won the William McKinley won the Republican nomination.Republican nomination.

He was a pro-business He was a pro-business protectionist who was protectionist who was instrumental in the passage instrumental in the passage of record-high tariffs during of record-high tariffs during the Harrison administration. the Harrison administration.

Prior to the twentieth Prior to the twentieth century, it was customary for century, it was customary for presidential candidates not to presidential candidates not to campaign openly. campaign openly.

McKinley ran a traditional McKinley ran a traditional "front porch" campaign while "front porch" campaign while Bryan broke with tradition by Bryan broke with tradition by touring the country.touring the country.

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The Grand RealignmentThe Grand Realignment

Bryan's emphasis on the silver issue aroused fears of anarchy and Bryan's emphasis on the silver issue aroused fears of anarchy and alienated urban, industrial states with increasingly high alienated urban, industrial states with increasingly high populations.populations.

William McKinley won by the biggest margin since 1872. William McKinley won by the biggest margin since 1872. The 1896 is often characterized as a "realigning election" because it The 1896 is often characterized as a "realigning election" because it

broke the stalemate between the parties to usher in an era of broke the stalemate between the parties to usher in an era of Republican dominance that thrived until the 1930's.Republican dominance that thrived until the 1930's.

When William McKinley was inaugurated 1897, both the depression When William McKinley was inaugurated 1897, both the depression and the silver issues began to fade.and the silver issues began to fade.

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