National Politics in the Gilded Age 1877-1900 Gold background

Characteristics of Gilded Age Politics GA Politics: Political Stalemate Complacency Conservatism Causes: Political ideology of the time = limited government Campaign tactics = don’t alienate voters Party patronage: get and stay in office Laissez-faire economics Social Darwinism Republicans: “wave the bloody shirt” Democrats: states’ rights, limited government “Give jobs to those who are faithful”

The Four First Gilded Age Presidents President Hayes (1876) Ended Reconstruction Was a temporary reformer (wife, “Lemonade Lucy,” cut off liquor in the White House) Vetoed Chinese immigration restriction President Garfield (1880) Halfbreeds v. Stalwarts sought political jobs Was shot by a deranged stalwart office-seeker. President Arthur (1881) Reformed civil service Approved the development of the Navy Questioned high protective tariffs President Cleveland (1884) Created a new Civil Service System Signed the Interstate Commerce Act Regulated railroad fees Passed the Dawes Act Distributed land to individual American Indians

Three Political Issues of the Gilded Age The Money Question: Should the government make more money available?? Debtors and farmers wanted to borrow at low interest and pay off loans easily. Many thought the gold standard (restricted money) had caused the Panic of 1873; they wanted greenbacks (paper money) and unlimited silver coins. Opponents felt dollars backed by gold would hold their value against inflation. The Specie Resumption Act (1875) withdrew greenbacks that had been issued during the Civil War. Farmers associated them with prosperity. Others felt greenbacks violated natural law. The Greenback Party supported paper money; their goal was to increase the amount of money in circulation. They elected 14 members to Congress in 1878. “The Crime of 1873”: Congress also stopped coining silver; when silver was discovered in Nevada, many demanded it be used to increase the money supply The Bland-Allison Act allowed limited coinage of silver each month. Farmers pressed for unlimited coinage of silver. The Tariff Issue During the war, high tariffs protected industry. Some Americans disliked the high tariffs: They raised consumer prices. Other nations taxed American farm products. Farmers lost a share in the market & didn’t sell all their corn and wheat. Surpluses meant lower farm profits. Protective tariffs are taxes on foreign-made goods; they keep people buying American-made products. Civil Service Reform The public was outraged at Garfield’s assassination. The Pendleton Act created the Civil Service commission and awarded jobs based on performance on an examination. Politicians adapted by depending on the wealthy instead of supporters.

Growth of Discontent President Harrison (1888) Felt lower tariffs would ruin business prosperity. Republican “Billion Dollar Congress” passed: McKinley Tariff of 1890 (48% tax on foreign products) Sherman Antitrust Act Sherman Silver Purchase Act (increased silver coinage a little) Raised Civil War pensions X a bill protecting African American voting rights. President Cleveland again (1892) The Panic of 1893 was the worst and longest depressions thus far. The stock market crashed because of over-speculation and overbuilding of railroads. 20% unemployment Cleveland, who supported the gold standard was unpopular because he: Repealed the Sherman Silver Purchase Act to try to prevent the gold reserve to drop too low. Borrowed $65 million in gold from JP Morgan Crushed the Pullman strike. Arrested men at the Coxey’s army march (unemployed men demanded a public works program) The Democrats’ more popular action was: The William-Gorman Tariff (1894) A moderate reduction in taxes; 2% income tax on the wealthy. Coin’s Financial School by William H. Harvey Taught Americans that their problems were caused by rich bankers Taught that prosperity would return if the government coined unlimited silver.

Populists The Omaha Platform Political Goals: Agrarian discontent was growing in the South and West. Farmers’ Alliances led to the formation of a political party. Delegates met in Omaha, Nebraska to establish their platform. Populists The Omaha Platform Political Goals: Direct election of senators Voters should have the ability to create initiatives that will become state laws Economic Goals: Unlimited coinage of silver Graduated income tax Public ownership of railroads Government-owned telegraph and telephone systems Loans and federal warehouses for farmers to store their crops An 8-hour work day for industrial workers The Populists were revolutionary because: They attacked laissez-faire economics. They formed an alliance between poor whites and blacks. In 1892, the Populist Candidate (Weaver) won 1 million votes, but ultimately, the Populists lost in the South and failed to attract urban industrial workers.

Election of 1896 William Jennings Bryant (D) William McKinley (R) v. Famous “cross of gold” speech: “You shall not crucify man upon a cross of gold” made him famous overnight. Platform: Favored unlimited coinage of silver; thus supported by Populists. Campaign: Nationwide crusade Energy, positive attitude, great speeches. Convinced farmers of the benefits of silver Platform: Favored high tariffs; seen as a “friend of labor” Promised a strong, industrial nation Promised to uphold the gold standard. Campaign: Raised money from business leaders Mark Hanna used the money to sell McKinley to the mass media. → A rise in the price of wheat → Employers threatening workers to vote for McKinley Led to McKinley’s victory

Significance of the Election of 1896 It ended the political stalemate of the gilded age. It began an era of Republican dominance The Republican Party became the political party that supported businesses. It led to the demise of the Populist Party (though some of their platform was adopted during the Progressive Era). It was the beginning of urban industry dominating the country over rural agrarianism. It marked the beginning of modern politics (The U.S. became a world power, and the mass media would become important in winning campaigns.)

Overview of Gilded Age Presidents Hayes (R) 1876 Compromise of 1877; end of Reconstruction Garfield (R) 1880 Political favors; assassinated. Arthur (R) 1881 Garfield’s VP; Civil Service reform Cleveland (D) 1884 Dawes Act, Interstate Commerce Act Harrison (R) 1888 Billion Dollar Congress (48% tariff) Cleveland (D) 1892 Panic of 1893, borrowed from JP Morgan, Pullman Strike, Coxey’s Army McKinley (R) 1896 First modern president; elected with help of mass media.