The presidency from 1887 to 1900 Both major parties seemed grid locked. Many presidents only winning by a few votes. This made sitting presidents very cautious in their moves for fear of coting another election. The use of the Presidents power also dwindled after the impeachment of Johnson.

States wrangle the railroads As companies especially railroad became larger, local states like Illinois complained that rail roads charged rates that were too high to ship items. Munn V. Illinois the Supreme court stated since the railroad affected public life then the state could pass laws on it. Other cases held to the idea such Wabash v.s. The pcific rail way

Interstate commerce commission Created by Congress in 1887 the interstate commerce commission existed to oversee railroad activities. To make sure railroads did not pool resources or become involved in illegal activities.

Investing in Silver As large silver deposits were found out west the idea of creating Silver as new standard for coinage became more popular. Hayes the last President favored the coinage of gold and vetoed the bill. The veto was outturned by congress.

James Garfield For James Garfield info see Pendleton Act slide or civil service reform slide. In the election of 1884 Grover Cleveland defeated James Blaine Cleveland brought some respect back to the democratic party after their issues with succession. Though Cleveland would lose to Republican Benjamin Harrison in the next election.

Harrison reform Harrison raised Tariff s with the Mckinley Tariff Act More importantly Harrison passed the Sherman Anti trust Act: It was the first Federal attempt to manage businesses. A Trust could not exist if they restrained commerce. Sherman Silver Purchase Act as the western demand to coin silver grew and production of silver quadrupled the Act allowed the government to make monthly silver purchases and mint the money

Warm-up Define Bland Allison Silver Purchase Act (What president was it passed under) Sherman Anti trust Act (What president was it passed under Interstate commerce Act Munn V. Illonois

Populism

Cause for economic downfall During the war the government increased the money supply by issuing greenbacks. These could not be exchanged for gold or silver. Due to a lack of products this would cause inflation. Eventually the government gave the farmers options to help deal with this. By 1895 the farmers would be hit by a period of deflation.

The government takes action again The department of agriculture sent Oliver Kelley to investigate the farming area. Started the grange program to help with farming and education. This idea worked until the country fell into a recession.

To try and deal with the recession the grangers developed cooperatives. Cooperatives: A marketing organization that tried to increase prices and lower the costs of their members for crops. These tactics continued to fail.

Farmers alliance The alliance forms as Granges collapse Consists of around 3 million members. The plan was to build large groups of farms to try and force the price of goods to increase, and obtain loans.

Rise of the people As farming plans begin to fail a number of farmers formed the People’s party. The party existed to elect members of congress that would support farmers. Many were concerned that this group would hurt the democrat party.

The presidency The people’s party would come together and nominate James B. Weaver for President. Weaver called for the coinage of silver as well as federal ownership of the railroad. He also supported a graduated income tax which called for higher earners be taxed heavily.

Warm-up Enter class clear off your desk all you need is paper something g to write with and your chapter 23 notes.

Chapter 23 quiz 1. What does the term progressive refer to? 2.What is conservation, name the two people that started the program 3. Name explain one progressive reform created by Wilson 4. Why was Wilson able to defeat Roosevelt and Taft so easily in his first election. 5. What Party did Roosevelt create out of the Progressive Party? Ec What is the 16 th amendment What is the 19 th amendment