1. Populism and Segregation
Politics, Racism, and How the US Coped

2. Gilded Age Problems with
Social issues (poverty, immigration, child labor etc)
Political Problems (grafting, corruption, political machines etc)
Economic issues (monopolies, laissez-faire economics, economic inequality)
Unrest in rural America

3. Social Problems
For every problem there will be a proposed solution (mainly called the progressive movement)
Poor immigrants—Hull House (Jane Addams)
Lack of National identity/education?—Americanization
Social Darwinism
Philanthropy
etc

4. SAQ Practice
Provide one example of a social problem AND an attempt to fix that social problem.

5. Political Problems Party Bosses (ie Boss Tweed)
Stalwarts: people that supported political machines (Republicans)
Half-Breeds: Republicans that wanted to reform politics
Urban unrest: leads to growth of Populism (people’s party, The Grange). Farmers

6. SAQ Practice
Identify and explain one political problem.

7. Election of 1884 Eerily similar to 2016
Many upset with career politicians who they view as all corrupt
Becomes an election on who is most trustworthy…not necessarily who is most experienced.
Blaine (career politician) v. Grover Cleveland NY gov. who went after Tammany Hall.

8. Results of 1884 and 1888
Republicans control both houses of congress and White house in 1888
McKinley Tariff
Sherman Anti-Trust Act

9. Election of 1896 William Jennings Bryan William McKinley Republican
Democrats
“Front Porch Campaign”
Silver backed $$
Backed by populists
Blamed Democrat President on all economic issues
“Gold Cross Speech”

10. Populism
Politics focused so much on the political machines which were located in cities to garner votes.
Rural farmers got screwed over.
They look for a voice as a third party…what happens is both major parties adopt parts of the platform and draw voters from populists

11. Result Shift in Republican and Democrats
Democrats become more focused on supporting big government (partly because big government is going after big business)
Republicans focus on big business/economy.
Shift caused in part by William Jennings Bryan

12. Segregation
Racist policies put in place in south to marginalize African American Vote
Poll Tax
Grandfather Clause
Jim Crow Laws: Enforced Segregation
Plessy v. Ferguson: “Separate but Equal” doctrine established…makes segregation legal

13. African American’s Response
Ida B. Wells: Proposes anti-lynching law…does not get passed until civil rights movement…almost 100 years later
WEB DuBois: Demanded complete equality NOW.
Booker T. Washington: suggested that education was a key for African Americans to earn respect from whites…which would result in political equality.