Presidents of the Gilded Age Chapter 7, section 3

Trends of the Late 1800s End of the Civil War / Reconstruction 2nd Industrial Revolution Expansion of the US into the West / conflicts with Native Americans Imperialism – international growth Gilded Age (corruption in city, state, federal government)

Elections of the late 1800s 1868: Ulysses S Grant 1872: Grant Re-elected 1876: Rutherford B. Hayes 1880: James A. Garfield but assassinated in 1881 VP Chester A. Arthur 1884: Grover Cleveland 1888: Benjamin Harrison 1892: Grover Cleveland 1896 / 1900: William McKinley 1900: McKinley re-elected but assassinated in 1901 1901: VP Teddy Roosevelt – the start of a new era

Election years: The presidential election takes place in November every 4 years – in the even years (1884, 1888, 1892); but the president takes office in January (for example, after the 1884 election, the president doesn’t take over until the following year. The 20th Amendment (1933) set the date for presidential take over in January; it was originally in March.

Problem of the late 1800s: Patronage Definition: Giving of non-elected government positions to friends or political supporters Also known as “the spoils system” From the phrase “to the victor go the spoils” which meant that the winner got all the good stuff Led to unqualified people in government positions Often people used their job in government for personal gain Politicians gave out jobs in order to get campaign donations and votes

Election of 1868: Ulysses S Grant (R) 1872: Re-elected Video 16:25-20:00 In the South, violence increased / Klan makes a comeback. Grant didn’t send troops. Panic of 1873 distracted people from Reconstruction Treatment of Native Americans in the West very poor; increased fighting and use of the reservation system. Numerous scandals among officials he appointed (many friends / family) Gold conspiracy, Salary grab, Whiskey Ring

Worst Scandal: Credit Mobilier 1864 Construction company formed by the Union Pacific RR RR was receiving government money / land grants They overpaid the fake construction company 2 – 3 times the real amount $72 million in contracts had been given to Crédit Mobilier for building a rail only worth $53 million Donated money and stocks to about 20 congressmen in 1867 Like a kickback scheme Company was later investigated – found that officers in Union Pacific RR had gained about 23 million. Those involved included V.P. Schuyler Colfax and Congressman James Garfield (later president)

Election of 1876 Hayes (R) (1877 – 1881) 20:40-23:40 and 25:25-29:30 Very close election - Democrat Tilden won popular vote but not electoral vote Took 4 months of recounting votes The election went to a vote in Congress The Deal: Democrats in Congress agreed to elect Hayes if troops would be withdrawn from the South = end of Reconstruction Many felt the election had been “stolen” Hayes nicknamed “Rutherfraud” Hayes or “The Great Usurper” Controversy: removed troops from South which allowed democrats to re-take control of governments in South thus ending Reconstruction.

Election of 1880 Garfield (R) (1881 – x) Video 32:25 – 36:30 Poor decision maker; tried to make everyone happy, thus no one was happy Charles Guiteau (Gee Toe) – crazy guy who wanted a government job. Told people that god told him to assassinate the president. Shot Garfield July 2, 1881. Garfield is shot twice and dies Sept. 19

Chester A. Arthur (R) (1881 – 1885) Video 38:30; 41:30 Pendleton Civil Service Act V.P. takes over with Garfield’s assassination From New York City Lived a “Gilded Age” lifestyle – known for his conspicuous consumption Didn’t like to work too hard and liked to party a little bit too much Ironically – he became a reformer and passed the Pendleton Civil Service Act in 1883

Pendleton Civil Service Act 1883 Appointments to federal government jobs based on a merit system that used a candidates performance on a test Though it was slow to start, by 1910 about 40% of federal jobs were classified as civil service

Election of 1884 Cleveland (D) (1885 – 1889) Very ugly campaign – lots of name calling and accusations Republicans attack Grover Cleveland by revealing that he had an illegitimate child This actually backfired because Cleveland admitted to it and was seen as honest Democrats accuse James G. Blain of being a liar Cleveland Was not pro-active; thought his job as president was to stop things from happening Record for most vetoes – 414 so not much was getting done Even voted down pensions for Civil War veterans

Election of 1888 Harrison (R) (1889 – 1893) The tariff was the big issue of the campaign Cleveland ran for reelection on low-tariff platform Benjamin Harrison ran pushing for high tariffs; and was financed by large contributions from corporate America Harrison – the “big money candidate” Unchecked government spending 1st billion dollar Congress=almost bankrupt government Signed the McKinley Tariff – highest in history. Helped American businesses beat foreign competition but also helped them form monopolies and caused prices to skyrocket

Tariff: tax on imports A "revenue tariff" is a tax designed to raise money for the government A "protective tariff” inflates prices of imports to "protect" domestic industries from foreign competition For example, a 50% tax on a machine that importers formerly sold for $100 and now sell for $150. Local manufacturers could now charge $149 and make the sale vs. the import.

Election of 1892 Cleveland (D) (1893 – 1897) Grover Cleveland makes a comeback Ran on the idea of reducing the tariff and helping American consumers Unfortunately, the Panic of 1893 begins Worst depression to that point in American history Unemployed people march on Washington Cleveland’s response – have them arrested / not the government’s job to take care of the poor

Election of 1896 & 1900 William McKinley (R) (1897 – 1901) From Ohio Ran on the idea of a “gold standard” as the “big money candidate” Ran against Democrat William Jennings Bryan He raised tariffs once again Assassinated Sept. 1901