Gilded Age 6 - Race, Politics, and Populism

Race

Jim Crow and Segregation During Civil War and Reconstruction, amendments were passes to protect the rights of former slaves After Reconstruction, segregation was instituted and these rights were ignored Blacks treated as second rate citizens Jim Crow- laws in the South that required segregation Poll taxes and literacy tests Used grandfather clauses to make sure poor white could vote Violence in north too, but not as many black people, so not as much conflict (yet) What types of public facilities were segregated because of Jim Crow laws? 13th Amendment Free Freed the slaves 14th Amendment Citizens Made former slaves citizens, guaranteed "equal protection" 15th Amendment 13th Amendment Free Freed the slaves 14th Amendment Citizens Made former slaves citizens, guaranteed "equal protection" 15th Amendment Vote Gave all men the right to vote 13th Amendment Free Freed the slaves 14th Amendment Citizens Made former slaves citizens, guaranteed "equal protection" 13th Amendment Free Freed the slaves 13th Amendment 13th Amendment Free Freed the slaves 14th Amendment

Plessy v. Ferguson Supreme Court Case Homer Plessy was riding train in Louisiana (7/8 white, looked white, but classified as black) Purposefully rode in whites only car as protest Tried to made him move, he refused Arrested; took it to court- he appealed; said it violated 14th amendment “equal protection under the law” Court said it was ok since it was just in LA It didn’t cross state lines, so federal gov couldn’t stop it Established “separate but equal”: Said segregation was legal

How did the Plessy v. Ferguson ruling affect the everyday lives of African Americans?

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

Politics

Gilded Politics Time of great corruption Credit Mobilier scandal- Railroad scandal under Grant (R) Dems and Reps roughly equal support Also fought to end the spoils system- giving jobs in the government to supporters Civil service jobs- government jobs people aren’t elected to

Populism

Gold Standard Monetary policy- how the government controls money supply What the US had in the Gilded Age Based on the amount of gold we have Reduces inflation Money worth more Limited supply Favored by businesses who loaned out money What farmers wanted Could use silver as money too Would put more money in circulation Increased inflation Money worth less Easier to pay off debt Gold Standard Free Silver Gold Standard Free Silver What the US had in the Gilded Age Based on the amount of gold we have Reduces inflation Money worth more Limited supply Favored by businesses who loaned out money Gold Standard Free Silver

Early Farmers Groups Remember the problems that farmers faced? Falling prices, no money, lots of debt To try and fix problems, farmers created political groups 1867- The Grange 1880s: Farmers’ Alliance 1892: The Populist, or People’s Party

Populism Farmers wanted unlimited coining of silver to increase money supply and help them Also tried to attract factory workers Both groups were exploited by big businesses/railroads Wanted regular people to have greater control of government

Populist Party Populist Party Populist Party Populist Party Free Silver Graduated Income Tax Restrictions on immigration (to help factory workers) 8 hour work day (for factory workers) Populist Party Free Silver Graduated Income Tax Restrictions on immigration (to help factory workers) 8 hour work day (for factory workers) Popular Election of Senators Populist Party Free Silver Graduated Income Tax Restrictions on immigration (to help factory workers) Populist Party Free Silver Graduated Income Tax Populist Party Populist Party Free Silver Which of these demands would you have supported? Why?

Election on 1896 Populists supported William Jennings Bryan- Democrat Made “Cross of Gold” speech- said we were suffering from depending on gold Supported free silver Lost election to McKinley (twice)- Eventually found more gold; people moved to cities Why did the Populist movement collapse?

1892 Presidential Election: Populist Candidate won over a million votes!

1896 Presidential Election: Bryan loses but carries most of the South and West

STAAR Practice

STAAR Practice Why did farmers think that an increased money supply would help solve their economic problems? It would increase prices for their products Help them pay back loans

BIG IDEA What issues led to the rise of the Populist Movement? How can third party movements impact the political process?

Populist Party Poster Make a poster to recruit and represent the Populist Party. Be sure to include the ideas that the Populist Party supported (at least 4) There needs to be PICTURES and COLOR! It can be a campaign poster or a recruitment poster

Robber Barons Cattle Boom- why? Why labor unions? Interstate Commerce Act and Sherman Antitrust Act Populist party- why?