1. 3.5 – Politics and Reform
This section takes a look at politics and issues happening in the United States at the same time as all of the other topics we’ve studied (industrialization, urbanization, child labor, Social Gospel, Philanthropy...etc.)

2. Cleaning Up Politics
Spoils System- gov’t jobs went to supporters of winning party in election
Americans believed that spoils system prevented law makers from dealing with national issues
After Garfield’s assassination Congress passed the Pendleton Act – a civil service system with appointments of candidates based on examinations

3. Two Parties Neck and Neck
1870’s-1880’s few new policies were introduced
There was a split in government power between the two main parties
Democrats controlled House
Republicans controlled Senate
Elections of 1876 & 1888 – a candidate lost the popular vote, but won the election
Presidents had to deal with a divided Congress and a party run by party bosses at the local level

4. Election of 1884 Grover Cleveland (D) vs. James Blaine (R)
Voters focused on personal morals of the candidates
Cleveland told the truth about his illegitimate child and showed his honesty, which helped him keep votes
Cleveland won NY by less than 1,000 votes and won the election

6. Commerce, Trusts and Tariffs
Angry small businesses and farmers felt that the railroads were price gouging
Gov’t and courts felt corporations were like individuals and shouldn’t be interfered with
Public pressure forced Congress to pass the Interstate Commerce Act – created ICC to regulate interstate commerce
Many felt high tariffs could now be lowered. Pres. Cleveland proposed lowering them- passed the Dem. House, but not the Rep. Senate

7. Republicans Regain Power
Election of 1888 gave Rep. all 3 parts of gov’t.
Passed McKinley Tariff – lowered some taxes and raised rates on other goods
This lowered gov’t revenue and transformed the nation’s budget surplus into a deficit
Congress passed Sherman Anti-Trust act (public wanted it) but it was so vague that the courts said they couldn’t enforce it = no real reform

8. Populism: Unrest in Rural America
Farmers were having trouble – surplus crops, low prices, high taxes on imported goods…
They embraced populism- movement to increase farmers’ political power and to work for legislation in their interest
Wide change in money supply and types of currency created deflation = prices down & money increased in value. This hit farmers hard

9. Populism: Unrest in Rural America
Some farmers tried to use co-ops to force prices up
States passed Granger Laws setting maximum rates and prohibiting railroads from charging more for short hauls than long hauls.

10. Farmers’ Alliance Lack of success in co-ops and Grange
Some members formed the People’s Party or the Populist Party and decided to nominate candidates for Congress and State legislatures

11. Rise in Populism
People’s Party had some success in the election of 1890
Also were able to demand help w/ deflation – Sherman Silver Act = moderate help
By 1891 party began working to endorse and run candidate for President
By 1892 Southern farmers had also reached the point where they were willing to leave Democratic Party for the People’s Party

13. A Populist for President
Populist Platform: federal ownership of Railroads, graduated income tax, 8- hour work days, restrict immigration, denounce strike breaking
Graduated income tax- More you make-the more you pay
Populist candidate did well, but Grover Cleveland won
Panic of 1893 – railroads and other companies declared bankruptcy, stock market crashed, banks closed.
1894 – country was in depression w/ 18% unemployment (10% today in US)

14. Election of 1896
Dems blamed for economic crisis & Reps promised a “full dinner pail”

15. Election of 1896
27.McKinley’s reputation for moderation on labor issues & tolerance toward ethnic groups helped improve party image w/ urban workers and immigrants
McKinley won solidly
While in office, economy turned around & Populist Party eventually died out

16. Classwork/Homework
Read pages on your own and complete questions
These questions will be due for a stamp tomorrow when you come to class.

17. Rise of Segregation: Resistance and Repression
African Americans were free, but poor.
Many African Am. eventually left farming to take jobs in Southern towns or go west to claim homesteads
Some farmers created Colored Farmers’ National Alliance. Dems feared this party would gain strength, so Dem leaders scared poor white farmers into staying
Election officials also began using various methods to make it harder for Africa Am. to vote

18. Disenfranchising African Americans
Loopholes around the 15th amendment
Poll tax - $2
Property ownership
Literacy test – read and understand state const.
Led to a huge drop in African Am. voters and poor whites
Grandfather Clause – if your grandfather voted – you can vote – aimed at poor whites

19. Legalizing Segregation
Segregation- separation of races
Jim Crow Laws – enforcing legal segregation
Civil Rights Act of 1875 prohibited keeping people out of public places based on race
SC overturned the Act in Said the 14th only required “states” to give equal protection- not private businesses like railroads, , hotels, theatres were free to practice segregation

20. Legalizing Segregation
This opened the way for virtually all things to be separate
Railroad cars, dining halls, water fountains
Homer Plessy contended the law requiring him to ride in separate RR car
SC: Plessy vs. Ferguson ok to have separate but equal facilities
Usually far from equal – usually inferior

25. African American response
Increased violence in South – lynchings
Ida B. Wells fought against lynchings
She felt lynchings were due to both greed and racial prejudice
Booker T. Washington proposed to concentrate on achieving economic goals rather than legal or political ones.