Parties, Patronage and Public Interest Gilded Age Politics Parties, Patronage and Public Interest

Why was party identity so strong in the Gilded Age? Republicans & Democrats not far apart on many issues, but.. Regional loyalty South staunchly Democrat (anti-Republican) Ethnicity/Religion Democrats appeal to immigrants and Catholics

Presidential Politics Republicans dominate presidency in post-Civil War period “Compromise of 1877” Rutherford B. Hayes (R) awarded presidency Reconstruction ends

How did the Republican Party evolve during the Gilded Age? “Stalwarts” Favored machine patronage “Half Breeds” Favored some reform (but not really)

How did the Republican Party evolve during the Gilded Age? James Garfield assassinated 1881 Paul Guiteau, disgruntled office seeker Civil service reform (Pendleton Act)

Election of 1884 “Mugwumps” Republicans who voted Democrat because they were fed up with patronage Grover Cleveland (D) reform NY Governor becomes President Tarriff issue Lost to Benjamin Harrison 1888

Emerging Reform Interstate Commerce Act (1888) Federal oversight of railroad industry Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) Outlawed “combinations” in restraint of trade In first decade targeted labor unions

Election of 1892 McKinley Tariff (1890) Increased import duties to highest levels Angers farmers and consumers People’s Party runs national campaign Cleveland defeats Harrison Only president to serve two non-consecutive terms