Chapter 32 Pivotal Decade McKinley, Segregation, and Empire 1890 –1901

The Landmark Election of Election Pitted class against class Marked end of era Created political watershed Thomas Reed, Mark Hanna and Bill McKinley Republicans nominate William McKinley McKinley conservative, dignified Mark Hanna manages campaign Free coinage of silver main issue

Landmark Election of 1896 Landmark Election of 1896 (cont.’d) William Jennings Bryan Democratic nominee Young, energetic, undignified “Cross of Gold” speech Only cared about silver issue Populists fear splitting pro-silver vote Party debated whether to fuse with Democrats Party nominated Bryan for President Party nominated Tom Watson for Vice-President

Landmark Election of 1896 Landmark Election of 1896 (cont.’d) Bryan revolutionizes presidential campaigning Travels by trains making speeches McKinley campaigns from home Hanna raises huge campaign chest McKinley wins election Bryan fails to get broad support geographically Bryan fails to get factory workers’ support Many fear Bryan and restive farmers Populists decline after 1896 Conditions for farmers improve Fusion in South means victory for white supremacist

Drawing the Color Line Loss of power Force Bill fails Benjamin Tillman wins election using race-baiting Suppression Poll taxes and literacy tests Grandfather clauses Blacks face threat of lynching Atlanta Compromise Booker T. Washington Leads Tuskegee Institute Accepts segregation, political rights Wants economic assistance, relief from lynch mobs W.E.B. DuBois demands racial equality Plessy v. Ferguson John Marshall Harlan Separate but equal

An American Empire Imperialism McKinley wants quiet presidency Economy returns to prosperity Americans turn to imperialism Anti-colonialism U.S. traditionally against colonizing Imperialism inconsistent with Revolution U.S. has vast resources; does not need colonies

An American Empire An American Empire (cont.’d) Nature of imperialism Turner’s Frontier Thesis spurred move for colonies More Americans accepted imperialism Thought industrial powers needed colonies Jingoists pushed U.S. to gain colonies Thought colonies would strengthen U.S. Anglo-Saxons Social Darwinism influenced imperialism Anglo-Saxons thought more fit to rule Josiah Strong’s Our Country Strong says inferior races will die out

An American Empire An American Empire (cont.’d) Alfred Thayer Mahan The Influence of Sea Power upon History Says strong countries must have strong navies Navies need coaling stations around world

The Spanish–American War Cuba a colony of Spain 1890s Cuba revolts against Spanish rule U.S. tariff policy hurts Cuban economy Cuban rebellion classic guerilla war Yellow Press New York Journal and World William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer Use sensationalism to sell papers Dramatizes Spanish atrocities in Cuba Valeriano Weyler (“The Butcher”)

Spanish–American War Spanish–American War (cont.’d) McKinley’s dark hour McKinley seeks compromise with Spain Journal publishes Spanish letter criticizing McKinley February 15 Maine explosion kills 260 American sailors Congress declares war April 1898 Splendid Little War” Navy captures Philippines Battle of Manila Bay, May 1, 1898 Troops take Cuba, Puerto Rico More die from disease than combat Theodore Roosevelt new national hero

Spanish-American War (cont’d) Hawaii annexed Annexed by joint resolution Americans in Hawaiian sugar industry U.S. tariff hurts profits; Americans lead revolt Grover Cleveland refuses to annex Hawaii McKinley’s administration does add Hawaii

Empire Building U.S. troops occupy Philippines, Cuba, Puerto Rico Not all agree the U.S. should have colonies Teller Amendment forbids annexing Cuba Jingoists Push for empire Albert Beveridge believed U.S. should rule over those incapable of ruling themselves – racial and religious Debate over imperialism Anti-Imperialists disparate group Anti-Imperialists claim colonies are un-American Anti-Imperialists appeal to racism Racism worked in favor of imperialists

Empire Building Empire Building (cont.’d) Philippine Insurrection Filipinos resist American control Emilio Aguinaldo leads Filipinos Filipinos effectively use guerilla tactics U.S. gains control of Philippines, 1901

Empire Building Empire Building (cont.’d) McKinley assassinated 1900: McKinley defeats Bryan again T. Roosevelt McKinley’s running mate Roosevelt assertive, independent Leon Czolgosz assassinates McKinley

Discussion Questions What was the significance of the Election of 1896? What were the main issues of this election? Why did the United States become a world power in the 1890s? Did this nation become an imperial power? Explain the arguments both for and against America creating an empire.