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Chapter 19- The Politics of the Gilded Age 1877-1900

Presidents during the Gilded Age Ulysses S Grant (R) Rutherford B. Hayes (R) Garfield (R) Arthur (R) Cleveland (D) Harrison (R) Cleveland (D) McKinley (R)

Politics in the Gilded Age Causes of the Political Stalemate What made politics in the Gilded Age so extremely popular— with over 80 percent voter participation—yet so often corrupt and unconcerned with important national issues? Politics in the Gilded Age Causes of the Political Stalemate Belief in Limited Government Campaign Strategy Party Patronage- Republicans and Democrats Campaigns- close elections; few consecutive winners- goal to get voters, not the issues Bands, flags, buttons, picnics, free beer- goal of strong party identification and loyalty based on region, religion, ethnic ties

Democrats v Republicans Reps- “bloody shirt” of Civil War; reformers, African Americans; business, middle-class, Anglo-Saxon Protestants; temperance; Hamilton/Whigs pro-business, high tariffs Dems-solid south, in the north- big city political machines, immigrants, Catholic, Lutheran, Jews; states’ rights, Jeffersonian

Parties in Gilded Age compared to Antebellum Age?

Explain the key issue dividing Mugwumps, Halfbreeds, and Stalwarts. Explain how the issue of spoils or patronage in the Gilded Age is similar to politics in the Jackson Era. Explain the key issue dividing Mugwumps, Halfbreeds, and Stalwarts. Stalwarts- die hard Republicans; opposed reform Halfbreeds- more liberal Republicans (only “half” Republican)- called this by the “Stalwarts” Mugwumps- Republicans who didn’t play patronage games- sitting on the fence- supported Cleveland (a Democrat!) Patronage- gave jobs to faithful; Conkling- Rep in NY- Stalwarts Halfbreeds- Blaine

Which was more significant to Gilded Age political corruption, patronage or the power of big business? Consider your reading on both industrialization and politics. Defend your answer with specific evidence.

Presidents Hayes- end of Reconstruction; tried to end corruption Election of 1880 Repubs: Halfbreed Garfield v Stalwart Arthur Dems- Union general Hancock Garfield wins, Arthur VP Garfield- gave jobs to Halfbreeds Assassinated by crazy Stalwart so Arthur would be Pres (wanted a job) Arthur- distance from Stalwarts Support civil service reform Civil Service- government jobs that aren’t elected Civil Service Reform- gov jobs based on qualifications, not party loyalty

Politics Congress- weak- corruption and laziness Election of 1884 Repub- Blaine (Halfbreed)- was known for corruption Dems- Cleveland- got support from Mugwumps who didn’t support Blaine Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion- dirty politics Cleveland wins- first Dem since Buchanan First Term Jeffersonian limited government Interstate Commerce Act, Dawes Act Civil Service Reform- Pendleton Act

Money Issues Money supply problems Soft Money- more money in circulation Farmers, Debtors, new businesses Easier to borrow, to pay off debt, lower interest Against gold standard- wanted greenbacks and SILVER Hard Money- less money in circulation Bankers, creditors, investors, big businesses Gold-backed money; little inflation Value of money goes up because the availability of it goes down in growing economy

Would increase amount of money = money is worth less Gold Standard Free Silver Would increase amount of money = money is worth less BUT- there is more available Prices go up- but there is easier access to money Easier to pay back loans Limited amount of money = money is worth a lot Prices are low, but there isn’t a lot of money going around to buy stuff Harder to pay back loans Which would you rather have: $100 on the Gold Standard or $100 with Free Silver? Why?

Money Issues Greenback Party Silver- “Crime of 1873” Money not backed by gold or silver- from Civil War- withdrew from economy with Specie Resumption Act of 1875 Greenback Party wanted to increase money circulation Silver- “Crime of 1873” Bland-Allison Act- allowed for limited coinage of silver at silver: gold ratio of 16:1 Farmers not happy- want unlimited Tariff- source of ½ of gov $ Farmers want it gone- increased price of goods, retaliatory tariffs Only benefitted business, not farms

Election of 1888 Growing discontent in US Cleveland proposed lower tariff rate (a real issue!)- actually divided Dems and Repubs Election of 1888- Harrison (Repub) won- supported high Played on fears of bad effects on business if lower tariff

Billion Dollar Congress Which action by the Billion Dollar Congress was the most impactful? Explain and defend your answer with specific evidence. Repub controlled both houses McKinley Tariff – 48% Pensions to Civil War vets Sherman Antitrust Act Sherman Silver Purchase Act Bill for African American voting rights (didn’t pass Senate) Return of Dems in mid-term elections

Rise of the Populists Explain how the rise of the Populists demonstrate the impact of industrialization and urbanization. Omaha Platform Political: Direct election of senators; use of initiatives and referendums for more direct democracy Economic: FREE SILVER; graduated income tax; public ownership of RR, telegraph, telephone; loans for farmers; 8 hour work day SOUND FAMILIAR?

Depression Panic of 1893 Gold Reserve and Tariff Causes: overspeculation of stock market RR went bankrupt Cleveland’s response: gold standard and laissez-faire Gold Reserve and Tariff Gold levels too low, repealed Silver Act Borrowed $65 million from JP Morgan Did lower tariff Coxey’s Army- march for unemployment

Turning Point: 1896 Explain the significance of the Election of 1896 Turning Point in American Politics: 1896 Election of 1896 Bryan, Democrats, and Populists McKinley, Hanna, and Republicans The Campaign McKinley’s Presidency Significance of the Election of 1896 Populist Demise Urban Dominance Beginning of modern politics

Crying for Protection, 1896 Uncle Sam is called on in this cartoon to nurse so called infant industries— some of which had in fact long since grown into vigorous adulthood.

The Sacrilegious Candidate A hostile cartoonist makes sport of Bryan’s notorious Cross of Gold speech in 1896.

Populism To what extent was the Populist movement a practical, liberal response to the political and economic problems of the Gilded Age? To what extent was the Populist movement a romantic, idealistic response to the changes in American culture and economy during the Gilded Age?

Causation: Populism Cause   Effect