Political Realignments 1876‒1901

Political Realignments 1876‒1901
20 Political Realignments 1876‒1901

Political Realignments, 1876‒1901
20.1 Politics of Stalemate Why was there a stalemate between Republicans and Democrats until the mid- 1890s? The Rise of the Populist Movement What factors led to the formation and growth of the Farmers’ Alliance and People’s party? 20.2

The Crisis of the Depression What were the main political and labor effects of the panic and depression of the 1890s? Changing Attitudes What changes in outlook did the panic and depression of the 1890s bring about? 20.3 20.4

The Presidential Election of 1896 Why was the presidential election of so important? The McKinley Administration What did McKinley accomplish that placed the results of the 1896 election on a solid basis? 20.5 20.6

Video Series: Key Topics in U.S. History
Changing Political Landscape Populist Party Financial Crisis The Age of Reform Home

Hardship and Heartache
The depression of the 1890s had profound and lasting effects Rural hostility toward cities Fight over currency Changed attitudes to government, employment, and reform Lecture Outline: The depression of the 1890s had profound and lasting effects Rural hostility toward cities Farmers want fairer share of economic and social benefits Fight over currency Changed attitudes to government, employment, and reform Home

Lecture Outline: Image: Wealth and Poverty - Tiny children peddling newspapers and women domestics serving the rich—their meager earnings were desperately needed. Home

Politics of Stalemate The Party Deadlock
Reestablishing Presidential Power Republicans in Power: The Billion-Dollar Congress Tariffs, Trusts, and Silver The 1890 Elections Learning Objective: Why was there a stalemate between Republicans and Democrats until the mid-1890s? Home

Politics of Stalemate Politics fascinated country
Campaigns involved whole community Average of 79 percent of electorate voted Black men kept from polls in some areas Poll taxes spread across the South Literacy tests Lecture Outline: Politics fascinated country Campaigns involved whole community Even though only men could vote Women could vote in national elections in Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, and Colorado National Woman Suffrage Association sued for vote but lost in 1875 Congress refused to pass constitutional amendment Rallies, parades, picnics, and torchlight processions Average of 79 percent of electorate voted Black men kept from polls in some areas Poll taxes spread across the South Literacy tests Upheld by Supreme Court Excluded poor whites as well as blacks Grandfather clause permitted men to vote if fathers and grandfathers voted before 1867 Politics of Stalemate

The Party Deadlock Electorate split almost evenly
04/06/98 Electorate split almost evenly Democrats emphasized state’s rights and limited government Republicans promoted moral progress and material wealth One-party control of both Congress and White House rare Each party had safe states Federal influence waned Lecture Outline: Electorate split almost evenly Democrats emphasized state’s rights and limited government Quickly revived after Civil War Less sectional base Republicans promoted moral progress and material wealth Passed Homestead Act, subsidies to railroads, other means to promote economic growth High tariff Protected civil rights One-party control of both Congress and White House rare Each party had safe states Control of federal government rested with six “doubtful” states in North and Midwest Federal influence waned State control rose Politics of Stalemate 2 2 2 2

Reestablishing Presidential Power
04/06/98 Presidency weakened by scandals 1868 – Andrew Johnson’s impeachment 1870s – scandals of Grant administration 1876 – controversy over the election Lecture Outline: Presidency weakened by scandals 1868 – Andrew Johnson’s impeachment 1870s – scandals of Grant administration 1876 – controversy over the election Politics of Stalemate 3 3 3 3

Reestablishing Presidential Power (continued)
04/06/98 Presidents reasserted executive power Hayes made reforms and changes Bland-Allison Silver Purchase Act Garfield succeeded Hayes Arthur and the Pendleton Act Grover Cleveland Lecture Outline: Presidents reasserted executive power Hayes made reforms and changes Ended military Reconstruction Reformed civil service Appointed reformers to high office Bland-Allison Silver Purchase Act Passed in 1878 over presidential veto Hayes committed to gold standard Garfield succeeded Hayes Wanted to unite the Republican party Determined to lower tariff to cut taxes Wanted to assert American interests in Latin America Harassed by hordes of office seekers 1881 – shot by Charles J. Guiteau, a disappointed office seeker Arthur and the Pendleton Act Arthur became president when Garfield assassinated Pendleton Act – partly reaction to Garfield’s assassination To reform civil service Created bipartisan Civil Service Commission Competitive exams Appoint officeholders based on merit Laid basis for expansion of civil service 1884 – Grover Cleveland Won narrow victory First Democratic president since 1861 Reflected party’s desire to curtail federal activities Vetoed more than two-thirds of bills presented to him More than all predecessors combined Called for low tariffs Republicans accused him of undermining American industries Defeated by Benjamin Harrison in next election Key Terms: Bland-Allison Silver Purchase Act: This 1878 act called for the partial coinage of silver. Those favoring silver coinage argued that it would increase the money supply and help farmers and workers repay their debts. Opponents advocated a restricted money supply based solely on gold and pointed out that few other major countries accepted silver coinage. Congress passed the bill over President Rutherford B. Hayes’s veto. Pendleton Act: This 1883 law created a bipartisan Civil Service Commission to administer competitive exams for civil service jobs and appoint officeholders based on merit. It also outlawed compulsory political contributions from appointed officials. Politics of Stalemate 3 3 3 3

Table 20.1 The Election of 1880 Politics of Stalemate Lecture Outline:
Image: Table 20.1 The Election of 1880 Politics of Stalemate

Table 20.2 The Election of 1884 Politics of Stalemate Lecture Outline:
Image: Table 20.2 The Election of 1884 Politics of Stalemate

Republicans in Power: The Billion-Dollar Congress
04/06/98 Election of most sweeping victory for either party in twenty years In spite of Harrison’s narrow margin Gave Republicans presidency and both houses of Congress Seemed Republicans had broken party stalemate and become majority party Lecture Outline: Election of most sweeping victory for either party in twenty years In spite of Harrison’s narrow margin Gave Republicans presidency and both houses of Congress Seemed Republicans had broken party stalemate and become majority party Politics of Stalemate 4 4 4 4

Politics of Stalemate Lecture Outline:
Image: Map 20.1 Election of 1888 Politics of Stalemate

Tariffs, Trusts, and Silver
04/06/98 1890 – Many new laws McKinley Tariff Act Raised duties to historic high Dependents Pensions Act By 1893, 1 million Union army veterans and families receiving pensions Sherman Antitrust Act Regulated big business United States v. E. C. Knight Lecture Outline: 1890 – Many new laws McKinley Tariff Act Raised duties to historic high Dependents Pensions Act By 1893, 1 million Union army veterans and families receiving pensions Sherman Antitrust Act Regulated big business Declared trusts illegal – restraint of trade or commerce Terms were vague Only industrial nation to regulate business combinations Tried to harness big business without harming it United States v. E. C. Knight (1895) Company controlled 98 percent of sugar refining in the country Court clarified that law applied to commerce only, not manufacturers Judicial interpretations changed after 1900, so law gained fresh power Key Terms: Sherman Antitrust Act: This 1890 act was the first major U.S attempt to deal with the problem of the increasing size of business. It declared illegal “every contract, combination in the form of trust or otherwise, or conspiracy, in restraint of trade or commerce.” Politics of Stalemate 4 4 4 4

Tariffs, Trusts, and Silver (continued)
04/06/98 Sherman Silver Purchase Act Silver coinage had slipped into disuse Rise in silver production glutted world market Moved country toward bi-metallic monetary system Lecture Outline: Sherman Silver Purchase Act Silver coinage had slipped into disuse Rise in silver production glutted world market Many European nations abandoned silver coinage to restrict amount of money in circulation Support for silver strong in the South and West Wanted to inflate currency to raise wages and crop prices Made it easier to repay debts Challenged the power of the gold-oriented Northeast Moved country toward bi-metallic monetary system Treasury to purchase certain amount of silver each month and issue Treasury notes to pay for it Satisfied both sides Did not include free coinage of silver Would buy up most of country’s silver production Treasury notes could be cashed for silver or gold Key Terms: Sherman Silver Purchase Act: An 1890 act that attempted to resolve the controversy over silver coinage by requiring the Treasury to purchase 4.5 million ounces of silver each month and issue legal tender (in the form of Treasury notes) for it. The act pleased opponents of silver because it did not call for free coinage; it pleased proponents of silver because it bought up most of the nation’s silver production. Politics of Stalemate 4 4 4 4

Politics of Stalemate Link to MyHistoryLab asset:
Read the Document, “Workingman’s Amalgamated Sherman Antitrust (1893)” Lecture Outline: Image: Sherman Antitrust Act - Congress passed the Sherman Antitrust Act in 1890, which authorized federal action against any “combination in the form of trust or otherwise, or conspiracy, in restraint of trade.” Though the act was envisioned as a way to control big business, its wording was sufficiently vague as to allow the federal government to use this law against labor unions, which many people considered to be combinations. Politics of Stalemate

The 1890s Elections 1890 -“Billion-Dollar” Congress
04/06/98 1890 -“Billion-Dollar” Congress Republicans in control 1890 elections - voters crushed Republicans Nebraska and Iowa switched to Democratic party Lecture Outline: “Billion-Dollar” Congress Republicans in control Passed record number of laws that shaped later policy Asserted authority of federal government to degree voters would not then accept 1890 elections - voters crushed Republicans Nebraska and Iowa switched to Democratic party “Iowa will go Democratic when Hell goes Methodist” Politics of Stalemate 4 4 4 4

Politics of Stalemate Lecture Outline:
Image: The Battle of the Standards - In this 1886 cartoon illustrating the silver standard versus gold standard controversy, Uncle Sam bicycles to national bankruptcy on an enormous silver dollar. Politics of Stalemate

Discussion Questions Why was there a stalemate between Republicans and Democrats that lasted until the mid-1890s? How did the Republican party’s vision shape the “Billion-Dollar Congress”? Lecture Outline: For more than two decades after the end of Reconstruction, American politics remained the politics of stalemate, in which the Democrats and Republicans fought tenaciously for votes and focused on a handful of “doubtful” states. In general, Democrats dominated the South, and Republicans controlled crucial sections of the North. Presidents in the period worked successfully to reestablish the authority of their office. Victorious in 1888, in control of both the presidency and Congress, Republicans set out to enact their policies. They succeeded to a remarkable degree, only to discover that voters were not yet ready for their form of activism. The congressional elections of 1890, one of the most important midterm elections in American history, restored the Democrats to power. Politics of Stalemate

The Rise of the Populist Movement
The Farm Problem The Fast-Growing Farmers’ Alliance The People’s Party Learning Objective: What factors led to the formation and growth of the Farmers’ Alliance and People’s party? Home

Populism – fast-growing movement among farmers Discontented farmers of West and South provided base of support National Farmers’ Alliance and Industrial Union Lecture Outline: Populism – fast-growing movement among farmers Discontented farmers of West and South provided base of support Weary of drought, mortgages, and low crop prices National Farmers’ Alliance and Industrial Union Recruiters promised to solve agricultural problems Key Terms: National Farmers’ Alliance and Industrial Union: The Alliance sought to organize farmers in the South and West to fight for reforms that would improve their lot, including measures to overcome low crop prices, burdensome mortgages, and high railroad rates. The Alliance ultimately organized the People’s (Populist) party. The Rise of the Populist Movement

What Impact Did the Populist Movement Have on American Politics?
How did the average value of farmland change over this period? How did the People’s Party fare in various elections? In what regions was support for the People’s Party strongest? The Rise of the Populist Movement

Lecture Outline: Image: The short-lived Populist Party saw its candidate, William Jennings Bryan, nominated as the Democratic Party’s candidate in the election of This pro-Republican caricature attempts to show how the Democrats had been swallowed by the orator’s progressive message and political power. The Rise of the Populist Movement

The Farm Problem Worldwide agricultural discontent between 1870 and 1900 Farmers could not control international market Farmers’ complaints Lower prices for crops Rising railroad rates Onerous mortgages Lecture Outline: Worldwide agricultural discontent between 1870 and 1900 Farmers could not control international market Farmers’ complaints Lower prices for crops Agriculture tends toward lower profits Purchasing power actually rising Rising railroad rates Rates actually declining Onerous mortgages Loans permitted production expansion The Rise of the Populist Movement

The Fast-Growing Farmers’ Alliance
04/06/98 Southern Alliance Farmers dealing with common problems 1890 – more than a million members Farmers’ friends welcome Organized Colored Farmers’ National Alliance and Cooperative Union Loosely affiliated with Southern Alliance 250,000 members 1891 – strikers lynched Lecture Outline: Southern Alliance Farmers dealing with common problems Crop liens, depleted lands, and sharecropping 1890 – more than a million members Farmers’ friends welcome Country doctors, teachers, preachers, and mechanics Excluded lawyers, bankers, cotton merchants, and warehouse operators Organized Published own newspaper Distributed material to local newspapers Lecturers spoke in 43 states and territories Colored Farmers’ National Alliance and Cooperative Union Loosely affiliated with Southern Alliance 250,000 members Black farmers in South 1891 – strikers lynched Ended the Colored Farmers’ Alliance The Rise of the Populist Movement 5 5 5 5

The Fast-Growing Farmers’ Alliance (continued)
04/06/98 Northwestern Alliance On the Plains Disagreed with Southern Alliance ideas National Farmers’ Alliance Merging of regional Alliances Ocala Demands – platform Splitting the Alliance Formed People’s party Resistance to a new party Lecture Outline: Northwestern Alliance On the Plains Disagreed with Southern Alliance ideas Opposed emphasis on secrecy, centralized control, and separate organizations for blacks National Farmers’ Alliance Merging of regional Alliances Southern Alliance changed name and persuaded other strong alliances to join them Ocala Demands – platform Sub-treasury system – hold crops for best price Allow farmers to store crops in government warehouses Could claim treasury notes up to 80 percent of local value of crop Repay the loan when crops sold Free coinage of silver End of protective tariffs and national banks Federal income tax Direct election of senators by voters rather than state legislatures Tighter regulation of railroads Splitting the Alliance Formed People’s party Shifted from focus on social and economic programs to politics Rejected both Republican and Democrats Resistance to a new party Southern Alliance did not want to divide the white vote and undercut white supremacy Wanted to capture control of Democratic party Key Terms: Ocala Demands: Adopted by the Farmers’ Alliance in 1890 in Ocala, Florida, these demands became the organization’s main platform. They called for a sub-treasury system to allow farmers to store their crops until they could get the best price, the free coinage of silver, an end to protective tariffs and national banks, a federal income tax, the direct election of senators by voters, and tighter regulation of railroads (see People’s party). The Rise of the Populist Movement 5 5 5 5

Link to MyHistoryLab asset: Read the Document, “Proceedings of the Thirteenth Session of the National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry (1879)” Lecture Outline: Image: The Farmers’ Alliance - The Alliance movement grew quickly in the late 1800s among discontented farmers. Pictured here, a farmer and his two sons pose as they tend to the hay fields. The Rise of the Populist Movement

Link to MyHistoryLab asset: Read the Document, “Mary E. Lease, The Populist Crusader (1892)” Lecture Outline: Image: Mary E. Lease - Populist Mary E. Lease advised farmers to “raise less corn and more hell.” She also said, “if one man has not enough to eat three times a day and another man has $25 million, that last man has something that belongs to the first.” Source: Kansas State Historical Society The Rise of the Populist Movement

The People’s Party Northern Alliance splits from Democrats to form People’s (or Populist) party Later joined by Southern Alliance Populists recruited African Americans 1892 – James B. Weaver for president Alliance waned after 1892 elections Lecture Outline: Northern Alliance splits from Democrats to form People’s (or Populist) party Later joined by Southern Alliance Felt Democrats took advantage of Alliance popularity without adopting its reforms Populists recruited African Americans Gave them influential positions 1892 – James B. Weaver for president Drew more than one million votes Lost South due to intimidation, fraud, and manipulation by Southern Democrats Lost urban areas except mining towns in Far West Alliance waned after 1892 elections Voters realigned with the Democrats Platform had little appeal among city dwellers or factory workers Key Terms: People’s (or Populist) party: This political party was organized in 1892 by farm, labor, and reform leaders, mainly from the Farmers’ Alliance. It offered a broad-based reform platform reflecting the Ocala Demands. After 1896, it became identified as a one-issue party focused on free silver and gradually died away. The Rise of the Populist Movement

Link to MyHistoryLab asset: Read the Document, “Ocala Platform (1890)” Lecture Outline: Image: Map 20.2 Election of 1892 The Rise of the Populist Movement

Discussion Question What factors led to the formation and growth of the Farmers’ Alliance and People’s party? Lecture Outline: On the farms in the late 1880s and early 1890s, a remarkable movement took shape, as farmers in the South and West joined the Farmers’ Alliance and later the People’s party. The People’s party sought various reforms but failed, as voters turned to the Democrats in the crucial presidential election of 1892. The Rise of the Populist Movement

The Crisis of the Depression
The Panic of 1893 The Pullman Strike A Beleaguered President Breaking the Party Deadlock Learning Objective: What were the main political and labor effects of the panic and depression of the 1890s? Home

04/06/98 Economic crisis dominated the 1890s Economy had expanded too rapidly Railroads had overbuilt Companies had outgrown markets Farms and businesses had borrowed heavily for expansion Lecture Outline: Economic crisis dominated the 1890s Economy had expanded too rapidly Railroads had overbuilt Companies had outgrown markets Farms and businesses had borrowed heavily for expansion The Crisis of the Depression 12 13 13 13

The Panic of 1893 04/06/98 panic hit stock market Failure of major railroad Investors sold stock to purchase gold Depleted Treasury shook confidence May market hit record low Business failures displaced 2 million workers 1894 – heat wave and drought hit West Corn crop failed Cotton prices dropped Lecture Outline: panic hit stock market Failure of major railroad Investors sold stock to purchase gold Depleted Treasury shook confidence May market hit record low Business failures displaced 2 million workers Factories and mines shut down Banks cut back on loans heat wave and drought hit West Corn crop failed Cotton prices dropped The Crisis of the Depression 5 5 5 5

The Pullman Strike 04/06/98 Pullman Strike Joined by Eugene Debs’s American Railway Union Closed Western railroads President Cleveland suppressed strikes Federal troops sent in Debs was arrested Effect on labor movement Cleveland’s actions resented Injunctions endorsed Lecture Outline: Pullman Strike Joined by Eugene Debs’s American Railway Union Closed Western railroads Grain and livestock could not reach markets Factories shut for lack of coal President Cleveland suppressed strikes Federal troops sent in Violence broke out Order restored Debs was arrested Effect on labor movement Cleveland’s actions resented Sided with railroad Injunctions endorsed Supreme Court ruled – In re Debs (1895) Gave business and government an effective antilabor weapon that hindered union growth Key Terms: Pullman Strike: Beginning in May 1894, this strike at the Pullman Palace Car Company near Chicago was one of the largest strikes in American history. Workers struck to protest wage cuts, high rents for company housing, and layoffs. The American Railway Union, led by Eugene V. Debs, joined the strike in June. Extending into 27 states and territories, it paralyzed the western half of the nation. President Grover Cleveland secured an injunction to break the strike on the grounds that it obstructed the mail, and sent federal troops to enforce it. The Crisis of the Depression 5 5 5 5

A Beleaguered President
04/06/98 Cleveland returned to presidency Defeated Weaver and Harrison Democrats controlled Congress as well Repeal of Sherman Silver Purchase Act Seen as cause of Panic of 1893 Failed to stop depression Made silver a political issue Democrats failed to lower tariff Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act Lecture Outline: Cleveland returned to presidency Defeated Weaver and Harrison Democrats controlled Congress as well Repeal of Sherman Silver Purchase Act Seen as cause of Panic of 1893 Failed to stop depression Contracted the currency and led to deflation when inflation might have helped Stock market remained listless, businesses continued to close, unemployment spread, and farm prices dropped Made silver a political issue Helped Republicans become majority party in 1894 Strengthened silver Democrats Democrats failed to lower tariff Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act The Crisis of the Depression 5 5 5 5

Breaking the Party Deadlock
04/06/98 Elections of 1894 crushed Democrats Reduced to a sectional southern organization Populists gained in the South and West Republicans swept congressional elections Republicans became dominant party Acceptance of activism and national authority rose Lecture Outline: Elections of 1894 crushed Democrats Reduced to a sectional southern organization Populists gained in the South and West Elected only four senators and four congressmen Southern Democrats used fraud and violence to keep Populist totals down Republicans became dominant party Acceptance of activism and national authority rose More acceptance of use of government power to regulate economy and safeguard individual welfare Set state for reforms of Progressive Era and New Deal The Crisis of the Depression 5 5 5 5

Discussion Question What were the main political and labor effects of the panic and depression of the 1890s? Lecture Outline: The panic and depression of the 1890s, one of the worst depressions in American history, led to changes in politics and labor. Affecting rich and poor alike, the depression encouraged many people to rethink their views on the causes of poverty and unemployment. It discredited President Grover Cleveland and his wing of the Democratic party and crushed the Democrats in the crucial midterm elections of 1894, giving the Republican party a long-term lease on power. The Crisis of the Depression

Changing Attitudes Women and Children in the Labor Force
Changing Themes in Literature Learning Objective: What changes in outlook did the panic and depression of the 1890s bring about? Home

Changing Attitudes Depression of 1893 forced change of view
Established ideas failed to deal with depression Unemployment – not a personal failure Local institutions discussed alternatives Acceptance of need for government intervention to help the poor and jobless Lecture Outline: Depression of 1893 forced change of view Established ideas failed to deal with depression Unemployment – not a personal failure Local institutions discussed alternatives Discussion clubs, women’s clubs, reform societies, university extension centers, church groups, farmers’ societies Acceptance of need for government intervention to help the poor and jobless Changing Attitudes

Women and Children in the Labor Force
Women and children worked more Paid lower wages More black urban women than white Children in southern textile mills Concerned groups formed League for the Protection of the Family Mothers Congress Lecture Outline: Women and children worked more Paid lower wages More black urban women than white Children in southern textile mills But most in farming and as peddlers Concerned groups formed League for the Protection of the Family Compulsory education Get kids out of factories and in schools Mothers Congress Gave rise to National Congress of Parents and Teachers Spawned many local Parent‒Teacher Associations Changing Attitudes

Changing Themes in Literature
Depression led to growing realism in literature Rejected sentimentalism, romanticism, and escapism Portrayed life as it was Regionalists Realists – Mark Twain Naturalists Lecture Outline: Depression led to growing realism in literature Rejected sentimentalism, romanticism, and escapism Portrayed life as it was Studied local dialects, wrote regional stories, emphasized “true” relationships Reflected social trends Industrialism, evolutionary theory, pragmatism Regionalists Joel Chandler Harris, George Washington Cable, Sarah Orne Jewett, Bret Harte Realists – Mark Twain Leading realist author Characters spoke in dialect and common speech instead of literary language Naturalists Pushed Darwinian theory to limits Merciless environment determined human fate Often focused on economic hardship Studied lower classes and criminal mind Passion for direct and honest experience Stephen Crane, Jack London, Theodore Dreiser Changing Attitudes

Discussion Question What changes in outlook did the panic and depression of the 1890s bring about? Lecture Outline: The sheer human tragedy of the depression led people to reconsider the roles of the government, the economy, and society. They had once thought that people lost their jobs because of their own failings; now they knew that vast and harmful economic forces were at fault. People joined organizations like women’s clubs, church groups, and farm societies to discuss cures for the situation. More and more people called for reform and looked to the government for help. Women and children worked in increasing numbers. Reflecting the depression’s human tragedy, realism and naturalism played a larger role in American literature. Changing Attitudes

The Presidential Election of 1896
The Mystique of Silver The Republicans and Gold The Democrats and Silver Campaign and Election Learning Objective: Why was the presidential election of 1896 so important? Home

Free coinage of silver the main issue Boost the money supply Seen as solution to depression New voting patterns emerged and national policy shifted Lecture Outline: Free coinage of silver the main issue Boost the money supply Seen as solution to depression New voting patterns emerged and national policy shifted The Presidential Election of 1896

The Mystique of Silver Support for free silver coinage grew Dominated South and West Literature flooded country Seen as quick solution to economic crisis Silverites – quantity theory of money Believed amount in circulation determined level of economic activity Silver also a symbol Moral crusade Patriotic Lecture Outline: Support for free silver coinage grew Dominated South and West Literature flooded country Seen as quick solution to economic crisis Unemployment up, farm income and prices down Set ratio of silver to gold at 16:1 U.S. mints coined all silver offered to them U.S. coined silver regardless of other nations’ policies Silverites – quantity theory of money Believed amount in circulation determined level of economic activity Silver also a symbol Moral crusade For the common people Reflected rural values rather than urban ones Shift of power from the Northeast Patriotic Free America from rest of world The Presidential Election of 1896

The Republicans and Gold
Candidate - William McKinley Silverite Republicans defeated on convention floor Promised gold standard to restore prosperity Lecture Outline: Candidate - William McKinley Silverite Republicans defeated on convention floor Many walked out of convention hall Promised gold standard to restore prosperity The Presidential Election of 1896

The Democrats and Silver
04/06/98 Candidate - William Jennings Bryan Strong public speaker Free silver promised in "Cross of Gold" speech Anti-Cleveland platform Attacked Cleveland on Pullman strike actions and censured sale of gold bonds Democrats were enthusiastic Lecture Outline: Candidate - William Jennings Bryan Strong public speaker Free silver promised in "Cross of Gold" speech Anti-Cleveland platform Attacked Cleveland on Pullman strike actions and censured sale of gold bonds Democrats were enthusiastic The Presidential Election of 1896 17 18 18 18

Link to MyHistoryLab asset: Read the Document, “William Jennings Bryan, Cross of Gold (1896)” Lecture Outline: Image: William Jennings Bryan - William Jennings Bryan was well known for his dramatic speeches. During the Democratic Convention of 1896, Bryan delivered his best-known speech, which attacked the gold standard. His stirring rhetoric captivated his audience and won him the Democratic presidential nomination for the election of 1896. The Presidential Election of 1896

Campaign and Election 04/06/98 Populist party endorsed Bryan Might have hurt his chances Bryan campaigned directly to voters First presidential candidate to do so systematically Bryan offered return to rural, religious United States Opportunity for common people Distrust of central authority Lecture Outline: Populist party endorsed Bryan Might have hurt his chances Associated him with Populist party Republicans could use it against him Bryan campaigned directly to voters First presidential candidate to do so systematically Traveled more than 18,000 miles, visiting 27 states and speaking 600 times Worked to educate and persuade voters Offered return to rural, religious United States Opportunity for common people Distrust of central authority The Presidential Election of 1896 17 18 18 18

Campaign and Election (continued)
04/06/98 McKinley let voters come to him Railroads brought voters to his hometown, where he spoke from his front porch Reached people through the press McKinley defended economic nationalism and urban-industrial society Election was clear victory for McKinley Populist party vanished after 1896 Proposals later adopted Lecture Outline: McKinley let voters come to him Railroads brought voters to his hometown, where he spoke from his front porch Reached people through the press Democratic eastern press had deserted Bryan McKinley defended economic nationalism and urban-industrial society Appealed to labor, immigrants, well-to-do farmers, businessmen, and middle class Election was clear victory for McKinley Populist party vanished after 1896 Proposals later adopted E.g., graduated income tax, crop loans to farmers, secret ballot, direct election of U.S. senators The Presidential Election of 1896 17 18 18 18

Lecture Outline: Image: Map 20.3 Election of This map illustrates McKinley’s victories over a large swatch of states in the North, Midwest, and Pacific Coast. It also shows the greater reach of the Democratic party under William Jennings Bryan, though the states he carried in the West tended to have few electoral votes. The Presidential Election of 1896

Discussion Question Why was the presidential election of 1896 so important? Lecture Outline: The presidential election of 1896 was one of the most important elections in our history. It brought to a head the fight between supporters of silver or gold, established the Republicans as the nation’s majority party, and shaped the nation’s politics until 1932, when another depression brought a very different Democratic party back into power. The Presidential Election of 1896

The McKinley Administration
McKinley faced favorable outlook Took office at depression’s end An activist, modern president Major policies Dingley Tariff raised rates to record level Need for regulation of industrialism War with Spain Gold Standard Act McKinley won reelection Against Bryan again Learning Objective: What did McKinley accomplish that placed the results of the 1896 election on a solid base? Lecture Outline: McKinley faced favorable outlook Took office at depression’s end Economy revived Gold supply increased Farm prices were climbing Inflated currency An activist, modern president Maintained close ties with Congress Worked to educate public on national issues Established new relationships with press Major policies Dingley Tariff raised rates to record level Usefulness of tariff questioned even by Republicans Need for regulation of industrialism Rather than promotion, as in 1860s to 1890s Industrial system firmly in place Concern now with controlling its effects War with Spain Persuaded people to accept greater federal power and new forms of taxation Made United States a world power Gold Standard Act Declared gold the standard of currency and ended silver controversy McKinley won reelection Ran against Bryan again Theodore Roosevelt – McKinley’s running mate Hero of Spanish‒American War and governor of New York Enemies hoped vice president nomination would sidetrack his political career Would take over when McKinley was assassinated by Leon Czolgosz six months later Key Terms: Gold Standard Act: Passed by Congress in 1900, this law made all currency redeemable in gold. The United States remained on the gold standard until 1933. Home

Lecture Outline: Image: William McKinley - This Republican campaign poster of 1896 depicts candidate William McKinley as the champion of commerce and civilization. The sun rising behind the flag McKinley is holding suggests that a new day will dawn with a Republican administration. The McKinley Administration

Table 20.3 The Election of 1900 Lecture Outline: Image: Table 20.3 The Election of 1900 The McKinley Administration

Discussion Question What did McKinley accomplish that placed the results of the 1896 election on a solid basis? Lecture Outline: The McKinley administration (1897–1901) profited from economic recovery from the depression of the 1890s. It also had the advantage of its own achievements, which included enactment of the gold standard, passage of a new tariff, and the war with Spain. The Republicans faced another challenge: how to regulate big business instead of simply promoting it. The McKinley Administration

Conclusion: A Decade’s Dramatic Changes
04/06/98 1890s - brought powerful effects Political patterns shifted Social change from massive unrest War with Spain brought new world responsibilities Technology and innovation McKinley assassinated; Theodore Roosevelt became president Lecture Outline: 1890s - brought powerful effects Political patterns shifted Presidency acquired fresh power Social change from massive unrest War with Spain brought new world responsibilities Technology and innovation Henry Ford produced a two-cylinder, four-horsepower car Wilbur and Orville Wright neared the birth of powered flight 1901 – McKinley assassinated; Theodore Roosevelt became president 26 25 25 25

Political Realignments 1876‒1901

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