1. POLITICS OF
THE GILDED AGE

2. A Two-Party Stalemate

3. In the 1890s, the groups of potential voters who were disenfranchised were
all of the answers below
most women
poor Southern women
blacks in the South
almost all blacks

4. TRUSTS
CONGRESS

5. CONGRESS CONTROLLED BY Lib. Rep’s or Dem’s AS REP’S SPLIT THEIR VOTES
BLAINE
HALFBREEDS
CONKLING STALWARTS
REFORMERS
“MUGWUMPS”
“Liberal Republicans”

6. The Presidency as a Symbolic Office
Party bosses ruled.
Presidents should avoid offending any factions within their own party.
The President just doled out federal jobs. Senator Roscoe Conkling
1865  53,000 people worked for the federal govt.
1890  166,000 “ “ “ “ “ “

7. PRESIDENCY: NOMINATED BY PARTY BOSSES FOR PURELY POLITICAL REASONS (swing states & “Nobodies”) these men let Congress be in charge
Machiavelli said in 1500 that you can not have great leaders in times of peace

8. After the “excesses” of federal power during the Civil War, America was ready to curb its growth again.
During periods of economic growth Americans prefer “hands off” presidents.

9. During the late 1800s, the function of the president was to
use his position as leader of both his party and the nation to control Congress
spend much of his time making political appointments
persuade Congress to agree on the subjects under debate and make the government's position clear to the press
suggest legislation to Congress and mediate the conflicts between the two political parties
create major fiscal and military policies

10. Liberal
Republicans

11. Just Give Him Graft And Corruption Hourly--Cleveland

12. The Rogues Gallery Johnson Rep??? Grant Rep Hayes Rep Garfield Rep
Arthur Rep
Cleveland Dem
Harrison Rep
Cleveland Again Dem

13. ECONOMIC GROWTH EXCEPT 1873-76 AND 1893-1897
ECONOMIC GROWTH EXCEPT AND HUGE FEDERAL SURPLUSES--SO MAKE UP JOBS AND BUY VOTES. $20.00 PER VOTE, G.A.R. PENSIONS, 80% VOTER TURNOUT, ETHNIC DIVISIONS, ETC.

14. REPUBLICANS DEMOCRATS WEALTHY MIDDLE CLASS
BLACKS (when they could vote)
HIGH TARIFFS
Some LARGE CITIES
HARD $ MEN
GAR
Sold “morality” & and the gov’t should control BOTH economic and moral affairs of society
Northern Protestants
Old WASPs
IMMIGRANTS
NYC, and many other cities (urban poor)
MW FARMERS
LOW TARRIFF
GREENBACKS. “Ohio Idea” caused a split in the party, but SLOWLY moved toward softer money
White SOUTHERNERS especially CSA vets.
More diverse ethnically and more tolerant of “alternate” lifestyles
Catholics

15. the retired veterans' pension health care for the poor
During the late 1800s, the ONLY significant form of federal assistance (welfare) to individuals was
the old-age benefit
the retired veterans' pension
health care for the poor
support for widows and orphans
Social Security for retired workers

16. SWING STATES
NEW YORK******
ILLINOIS
INDIANA
OHIO
90% of ALL presidential and vice-presidential candidates came from these four states.
Tongs of
San Francisco

22. THE REPUBLICAN ELEPHANT SLEEPS WHILE THE DEMOCRAT DONKEY LEAPS OVER THE CLIFF OF ECONOMIC CHAOS

23. ITS ALWAYS ABOUT $$$$

24. US Grant
CORRUPTION

25. GRANT’S ADMIN: Decide Not to annex Dom. Rep. 15th amendment ratified
Last of “seceded” states admitted 1870
Amnesty for CSA officers 1872
Old Civil War Morrill Tariff reduced
Coinage Act of 1873 removes silver as a form of specie.
Panic of 1873 hits. Hard-money policies don’t cause—but exacerbate the Panic

26. During the late 1800s, the federal government had a reputation for
creating conflicts
being very active in reform movements
being concerned with international affairs
being stronger than most national governments
doing very little to ease growing problems

27. Vetoes Bill to issue more Greenbacks (would have caused inflation—helping debtors and poor).
Specie Resumption Act. By stockpiling gold to buy back Greenbacks “Contraction” occurred. Deflation increased ($19.42 per capita to $19.37—by 1890 its ONLY up to $22.67),
But because of this—on Greenback Redemption Day most people just kept their now sound (but scarce) Greenbacks

28. GRANT CONTINUED
Hard-money men are happy, but at the polls in 1874 there is a backlash. Democrats came to control the House--& in 1878 the Greenback Labor Party was formed to fight FOR inflation.
Custer defeated at Little Big Horn
Centennial Philly (1876)
Whiskey ring exposed (1874)

29. HAYES

30. Known as “His Fraudulancy” as he had to cheat in order to beat Tilden
Known as “His Fraudulancy” as he had to cheat in order to beat Tilden. Known for his Dry Admin. Said he was much prouder to be a Union General than President
Electoral Count Act 1877 creates a bi-partisan commission of 8 Rep’s and 7 Dem’s to count the votes in contested states. Hayes “wins”.
Civil Service reform begun
“Water flowed like champagne”
Reconstruction ENDS 1877
RR Strikes ended by Fed. Troops
Molly McGuires arrested. Infiltrated by Pinkertons

31. KKK and Jim Crow Laws throughout the South
KKK and Jim Crow Laws throughout the South. Reconstruction ends in utter failure.
Right of States to regulate RR’s upheld
Greenback its height (1878)
Bland-Allison Act passed over his veto(1878). Puts silver back on specie list—gov’t must buy b/w 2 and 4 million dollars of silver per month (GNP was about $1 billion). Too little to cause the desired (by debtors) inflation needed.
Specie repayments resumed 1879

32. Inspecting the Democratic Curiosity Shop

33. GARFIELD *

34. 1880 Presidential Election

35. 1880 Presidential Election: Republicans
Half Breeds
Stalwarts
Sen. James G. Blaine Sen. Roscoe Conkling (Maine) (New York)
compromise
James A. Garfield Chester A. Arthur (VP)

36. 1881: Garfield Assassinated!
Charles Guiteau: I Am a Stalwart, and Arthur is President now!

37. Although A Stalwart Republican (Conkling) he fought against the Spoils System.
Assassinated for his troubles (Guiteau—refused gov’t job)
Calls for reform led to Congressional action
VP Arthur takes over.

39. Chester A. Arthur: The Fox in the Chicken Coup?

40. In the political battles of the late 1800s, the Stalwarts and the Half-Breeds were
groups who favored civil service reform
the nicknames of the rival Republican and Democratic political machines
two rival factions within the Republican party who fought over political patronage
the nicknames of the conservative and liberal wings of the Democratic party
opposing sides regarding the future of Reconstruction

41. Chinese Exclusion Act (1882)
Arthur’s Term ’81’-’85’ :
Chinese Exclusion Act (1882)
Immigration Act (1882) No paupers, criminals, moron, etc.
1st US Steel warships

43. **Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883)
The “Magna Carta” of civil service reform.
1883  14,000 out of 117,000 federal govt. jobs became civil service exam positions.
1900  100,000 out of ,000 civil service federal govt. jobs.
Tariff Act 1883 (huge fed surplus $$$ but the tariffs kept going up)

44. In California, anti-Chinese sentiment grew to the point that
the federal government deported many Chinese
the state government banned anti-Chinese political parties
the state government passed a special income tax on Chinese only
the local governments required Chinese to live separately in Chinatowns
the federal government prohibited any further Chinese immigration into the country

45. Republican “Mugwumps”
Reformers who wouldn’t re-nominate Chester A. Arthur.
Reform to them  create a disinterested, impartial govt. run by an educated elite like themselves.
Social Darwinists.
Laissez faire government to them:
Favoritism & the spoils system seen as govt. intervention in society.
Their target was ending political corruption, not social or economic reform!

46. The Mugwumps
Men may come and men may go, but the work of reform shall go on forever.
Will support Cleveland in the election.

47. The purpose of the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883 was to
establish the first racial quotas for government jobs
fill some government jobs on the basis of competitive examinations, to reduce “spoils”.
ensure that appointments to government jobs were approved by Congress
declare illegal the system of city political machines and boss rule
create a board of appeals for labor disputes

48. 1884 Presidential Election
Grover Cleveland James Blaine * (DEM) (REP)

49.
Cleveland

50. 1884 Presidential Election

51. The election of 1884 was typical of national contests in the late 1800s because of its emphasis on
public issues rather than personalities
change rather than stability
abilities rather than party loyalty
personalities rather than policies
capitalism and socialism

52. A Dirty Campaign
Ma, Ma…where’s my pa? He’s going to the White House, ha… ha… ha…!

53. Little Lost Mugwump
Blaine in 1884 tried to play the role of reformer, and bring the Republican sheep to the ballot box, but…

54. UGLY HONEST “Public Office is Public Trust”
Heated and nasty election on the part of James G. Blaine’s Half Breed Republicans.
“Ma, Ma, where’s Pa? Gone to Washington, Ha Ha Ha!!”
Blaine Loses when he does not denounce the “Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion” speech. Enough NYC Irish vote democrat in response
Also hurt by the “Burn this letter” scandal.
Cleveland is elected by the Republican Mugwump reformers who vote Dem rather than corrupt Blaine.
BUT NO REAL ISSUES

55. Cleveland’s Events 1884-1888 Pres. Succession Act 1886
Interstate Commerce Act 1887
Anti-Polygamy Law (Utah)
Vetoed 413 “Pork Bills” in 4 years.
“A Public office is a public TRUST”
His laissez-faire presidency:
Opposed bills to assist the poor as well as the rich.
Vetoed over 200 special pension bills for Civil War veterans!

56. Bravo, Señor Clevelando!

57. The Tariff Issue
After the Civil War, Congress raised tariffs to protect new US industries.
Big business wanted to continue this; consumers did not.
1885  tariffs earned the US $100 mil In surplus!
Mugwumps opposed it  WHY???
President Cleveland’s view on tariffs????
Tariffs became a major issue in the presidential election.

58. Filing the Rough Edges
Tariff of 1888

59. SPOILS SYS.
MOTHER-
IN-
LAWS

60. 1888 Presidential Election
Grover Cleveland Benjamin Harrison (DEM) * (REP)

61. Coming Out for Harrison

62. The Smallest Specimen Yet

63. 1888 Presidential Election

64. Grover Cleveland lost the election of 1888 partly because of the issue of
lowering tariffs
restricting immigration
regulating big business
passing civil service legislation
supporting civil rights

65. Grandpa's
Little
Boy
Ben Harrison

66. Changing Public Opinion
Americans wanted the federal govt. to deal with growing soc. & eco. problems & to curb the power of the trusts:
Interstate Commerce Act – 1887
Sherman Antitrust Act – 1890
McKinley Tariff – 1890
Based on the theory that prosperity flowed directly from protectionism.
Increased already high rates another 4%!
Rep. Party suffered big losses in 1890 (even McKinley lost his House seat!).

67. BIGGEST PROBLEM

68. HE CAME UP WITH THREE ANSWERS1 2. 3.
SPEND
SPEND
SPEND

69. IT IS HARRISON’S ADMINISTRATION THAT CREATES THE PANIC OF 1893
Mckinley Tariff Act 48.4% (1890). He had defeated Cleveland on the tariff issue—so he felt compelled to raise it to ridiculous heights.
Backlash in 1890 puts Dem’s in charge of Congress again.
1892 sees the rise of the Populist Party
Sherman Silver Purchase Act
Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890)
Dependent Pension Act (1890)
Boomer Sooner
Close and Near

70. Political party loyalties of the late 1800s tended to remain stable because
economic issues divided the electorate into well-organized opposing groups
voting participation was low and political change slow
only one political party garnered any substantial support
voting patterns were determined more by sharp cultural and ethnic differences rather than political issues
few significant economic or social changes took place, and thus few political issues developed

71. Populist Platform
Unlimited coinage of silver at 16:1to create inflation (to help western and southern debtors)
Socialized RR’s, telegraph, and telephone (to help the West)
A graduated income tax
Direct election of Senators
1 term limit on the Presidency
Initiative, Referendum and Recall
10 hour work-day (trying to win labor vote)
Immigration restrictions (trying to win labor vote)
Use of strikes to attack unfair business practices.
Southern alliance of poor black and white farmers (to win the South)

72. Despite major gains in 1892… See map on p. 523
South returns to racism and hatred—last black voters were disenfranchised by Poll Taxes, Literacy Tests, etc.
Homestead (Carnegie’s Steel factory) strike turns into a “riot” that has to broken by FEDERAL troops.
Panic of guts American business. No patience for reform is left.

73.
Cleveland
AGAIN

74. 1892 Presidential Election

75. HE INHERITS FROM HARRISON the Panic of 1893 with:
CAN A NICE GUY BE AN
EFFECTIVE PRESIDENT?
HE INHERITS FROM HARRISON the Panic of 1893 with:
High Inflation (partly due to silver)
High unemployment
High Misery
BY THE END OF HIS 2nd TERM HE IS THE MOST DISLIKED PRESIDENT OF ALL TIMES.

76. Cleveland Loses Support Fast!
The only President to serve two non- consecutive terms.
Blamed for the 1893 Panic.
Defended the gold standard.
Used federal troops in the Pullman strike.
Repealed the Sherman Silver Purchase Act.

77. The Silver Issue
“Crime of ’73”  demonetization of silver (govt. stopped coining silver).
Bland-Allison Act (1878)  limited silver coinage to $2-$4 mil. per mo. (based on the 16:1 ratio of silver to gold).
Sherman Silver Purchase Act (1890)
The US Treasury must purchase $4.5 mil. oz. of silver a month.
Govt. deposited most silver in the US Treasury rather than circulation.

78. Cleveland’s ill-fated attempts to fix the problems
Overspeculation in factories (addicted to growth during C.W.)
Labor disorder
Agricultural depression
Too much silver caused a drop in the dollar internationally
Foreign bankers called in loans
Sound familiar?

79. The biggest Problem U.S gov’t has to buy Silver with paper currency
The seller then trades their new paper currency for GOLD.
Happens every time the gov’t buys silver.
The rule is the gov’t needs $100 million in gold to support $350 million in currency.
By 1894 the gold reserve has dropped to $41 million because of #2.
Therefore the gov’t should STOP producing paper $, but that will create a PANIC!!!!

80. Cleveland’s Solution
He borrows $65 million from banker (Republican) J.P. Morgan at a $7 million commission for the banker.
Make’s Cleveland look like Morgan’s “errand boy”.
Repeals the Sherman Silver Purchase Act
Replaces the very high McKinley Tariff with the Wilson-Gorman Tariff, but “riders” to it make it just as high
He does get a temporary 2% tax on the wealthy, but the S.C. declares it unconstitutional

81. BUT, ITS REALLY AT THE STATE/LOCAL LEVEL
THAT THE WHEELING & DEALING OF POLITICS
WAS DONE:

82. POLITICAL MACHINES Politics as organized “Big Bidness”
SOLD GOV’T SERVICES TO HIGHEST BIDDER
SANDBAGGING
KICKBACKS
BRIBERY
SPOILS SYSTEM
80% VOTER TURNOUT
POLITICS AS A CAREER.
Politics as organized “Big Bidness”

83. The urban political machine had all of the following goals except
making money for the political boss
providing some of the services the new immigrants needed
creating jobs in city government for the supporters of the machine
finding jobs for the unemployed
keeping the Irish Catholics from gaining control of city government

84. The Bottom of the Socio-Economic ladder

87. Haymarket "Riot"

88. prison for children under 15
Juvenile Delinquent
prison for children under 15

89. White Tenant Farmers

90. Black Sharecroppers

91. “Street Arabs”

92. The Top

100. Vanderbilt's
5th Ave. House

101. Astor's
Next Door

102. Carnegie's

103. Frick's

105. During the late 1800s, the most significant effect of the change in incomes upon society was that
the income of the lower class dropped significantly
the middle class grew larger and more prosperous
the upper class showed little change in its wealth
"real" wages dropped for everyone, despite a rise in "money" wages
the upper class lost great amounts of wealth

106. % of Billionaires of
the Americna pop.

107. Real progress and Middle Class growth happened in the 50's