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Parties, Patronage and Public Interest
Gilded Age Politics Parties, Patronage and Public Interest
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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
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Presidential Politics
Republicans dominate presidency in post-Civil War period “Compromise of 1877” Rutherford B. Hayes (R) awarded presidency Reconstruction ends
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How did the Republican Party evolve during the Gilded Age?
“Stalwarts” Favored machine patronage “Half Breeds” Favored some reform (but not really)
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How did the Republican Party evolve during the Gilded Age?
James Garfield assassinated 1881 Paul Guiteau, disgruntled office seeker Civil service reform (Pendleton Act)
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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
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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
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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
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