Chapter 19 Themes and Cornell Notes From Crisis to Empire

I. The Status of Politics and Government in the late 19 th Century 1) Features of National Government— Stability due to divided power between Democrats and Republicans in Presidency and Congress 78 percent of eligible people voted—showing loyalty and faith amongst people toward their parties Federal government did little and few responsibilities—Laissez-Faire government— exceptions—subsidized railroads and administered civil war pensions

2) Role of patronage of American politics—

Power lied in the hands of political parties, big business owners, and federal courts Patronage or party loyalty was in control (machine politics) Stalwarts and Halfbreeds—divided Republican Party Hayes attempted to end patronage by enacted civil service system—Pendleton Act

Patronage led to James Garfield assassination 1884— Democrat Grover Cleveland wins election—opposed to machine corruption 1888—Republican Benjamin Harrison—first campaign since civil war to involve a clear difference of economic policy

3)Issues faced by Presidents of late 19 th century— Ending monopolies and Trusts Railroad Regulation Protective Tariffs

4) What two laws did not have practical effect until later in the 20 th century?

Sherman Anti-Trust Act, Interstate Commerce Act Other issues—tariffs—McKinley Tariff—led to Democratic control of Presidency and Congress—1892—Grover Cleveland, again Railroad regulation—only federal government, not states

Theme Analysis—In the period following the Civil War, Reconstruction Government focused on using its power to reunite the country. The Gilded Age that followed was dominated by big business and economic growth. Therefore, in the late 19 th century the Federal Government had few responsibilities and was controlled by party politics. From President Hayes to the second term of Grover Cleveland very little progress was made in solving the issues faced by Americans

II. Farmers Reform 5) Three groups seeking reform and their goals—

Grangers—1860’s –came together to overcome isolation and learn new techniques—grievances against monopolies of railroads and warehouses—and the middle men who took a large portion of their profit—Eventually the Grangers sought political action The Farmers’ Alliances—1875—successor to Grangers— argued for cooperation not competition, extended the women’s right to vote, organized the People’s Party(Populists) Mary Lease—“raise less corn and more hell” Populists—political voice, lacked labor support, endorsed “free silver”, specific goals toward assisting farmers

III. The Crisis of the 1890’s 6) What caused the economic crisis of 1893?

Failure of railroads and collapse of stock market—bank failures, contraction of credit, bankrupt businesses—connected economy— failure in one area affected all areas— economy too dependent on railroads 20% of labor force lost their jobs James Coxey’s Army—

7) Impact of William Jennings Bryan

“Crime of 73” Country split over question of gold or silver William Jennings Bryan—Cross of Gold Speech—split of Democratic Party— nominated him for 1896 election—Democrats stole the thunder of Populists—they threw their support for Bryan as well—“fusion”—but effectively ending their party— Birth of Modern Campainging--

8) McKinley’s role as president—

Republicans desire to raise protective tariffs Currency Act

IV. How American Imperialism shaped U.S. Politics 9) Justification—

Experiences with Indians established precedent for controlling dependent peoples Expand foreign trade Act now or be left out as the major powers of Europe were creating colonial empires Darwinism—strong nations dominate weak ones It was American duty to uplift less fortunate peoples

Alfred Mahan-- countries with sea power were the greatest nations of history; a country’s strength would rest on its naval strength

10) Areas of Influence-- Venezuela, Hawaii, and Samoa Hawaii—reasons for annexation– strategic location, American settlers living in Hawaii,(they staged a revolution)and sugar plantations

V. Causes and Effects of the Spanish-American War 11) Causes of War with Spain— Spanish colony of Cuba—1895 Cuban Revolt, Yellow Journalism– use of sensationalism and exaggeration to attract readers—Pulitzer and Hearst American protest of Spain’s conduct Spanish minister de Lome’s letter Accidental explosion of battleship Maine(yellow journalism) Spain’s refusal to negotiate with Cubans

12) Military action and results— Short “Splendid Little War” Only 460 Americans killed in battle Use of Black soldiers(also caused conflict) Roosevelt ordered the navy’s Pacific fleet to Manila, Philippines Rough Riders—Theodore Roosevelt Capture of San Juan Hill, Puerto Rico

Independence of Cuba, American control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and Philippines($20 million) Jones Act of 1917—P.R.—American citizens Anti-Imperialists—argued imperialism was immoral, feared polluting American population by introducing “inferior races”, cheap labor would undercut jobs, fear of new sugar competition

VI. American Foreign Policy 13) What were the problems associated with the American dependencies? Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Guam—American territories Cuba—Platt Amendment Resistance of Filipinos—Emilio Aguinaldo China—Open Door Notes—access to Chinese Trade— Fighting in China to suppress the Boxer Rebellion Need for new military organization, training, and supplies—Elihu Root