chapter 23 politics in the gilded age, 1869-1889
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 23Chapter 23
POLITICS IN THE GILDED AGE, POLITICS IN THE GILDED AGE, 1869-18891869-1889
The “Bloody Shirt” Elects Grant
Grant was immensely Grant was immensely popular after the war popular after the war
Nation was weary after war, Nation was weary after war, and eager for a fresh face.and eager for a fresh face.
Republicans, nevertheless, Republicans, nevertheless, enthusiastically nominate enthusiastically nominate GrantGrant
Grant is singularly Grant is singularly unequipped to be President. unequipped to be President.
The “Bloody SHIRT” Elects The “Bloody SHIRT” Elects GrantGrant
Democrats divided between eastern and Democrats divided between eastern and western democrats. western democrats.
Nominate Horatio SeymourNominate Horatio Seymour Republicans wave the “Bloody Shirt” Republicans wave the “Bloody Shirt” Republican PlatformRepublican Platform Democrats divided over redemption of Bonds.Democrats divided over redemption of Bonds. Grants wins easily in the electoral college, but by Grants wins easily in the electoral college, but by
only 300,000 votes. only 300,000 votes. Impact of Black vote. Impact of Black vote.
The Era Of Good StealingsThe Era Of Good Stealings
Civil War bred corruption and Civil War bred corruption and graft. graft.
CausesCauses RR corruption RR corruption Jim Fisk and Jay Gould Jim Fisk and Jay Gould
scheme to corner the gold scheme to corner the gold market. market.
Boss Tweed/Tammany Hall. Boss Tweed/Tammany Hall. Samuel Tilden.Samuel Tilden.
A Carnival Of CorruptionA Carnival Of Corruption
Grant’s administration was riddled with Grant’s administration was riddled with corrupt officials. corrupt officials.
Credit Mobilier scandalCredit Mobilier scandal.. Exposed in 1872. Exposed in 1872. Members of congress censured. Members of congress censured. Vice President implicated.Vice President implicated.
Whiskey Tax scandal.Whiskey Tax scandal.
Liberal Republican Revolt Of 1872Liberal Republican Revolt Of 1872
Liberal republicans were tired Liberal republicans were tired of corruption of corruption
Liberal Republican partyLiberal Republican party.. Nominate Nominate Horace GreeleyHorace Greeley Democrats endorse him, too. Democrats endorse him, too.
Why?Why? Campaign very uglyCampaign very ugly
Grant v. GreeleyGrant v. Greeley
Grant wins easily, 286-66, because:Grant wins easily, 286-66, because: Grant is perceived to be the lesser of two evils Grant is perceived to be the lesser of two evils Democrats are still stained with fault for the Democrats are still stained with fault for the
Civil War.Civil War. Did lead the Republicans to clean their Did lead the Republicans to clean their
own house. own house. General amnesty Act, General amnesty Act, lowered tariffslowered tariffs Mild civil-service reformMild civil-service reform
Depression And Demands For Depression And Demands For InflationInflation
1873 severe recession hits1873 severe recession hits CausesCauses 15,000 businesses went 15,000 businesses went
under.under. Collapse of Collapse of Jay Cooke and Jay Cooke and
CoCo..
Depression And Demands For Depression And Demands For InflationInflation
Debtors advocate inflationary policies.Debtors advocate inflationary policies. Call for more Greenbacks.Call for more Greenbacks. Federal government had removed one-Federal government had removed one-
fourth from circulation. Why?fourth from circulation. Why? Grant sides with conservatives and signs Grant sides with conservatives and signs
Resumption Act of 1875 Resumption Act of 1875
SilverSilver
Debtors advocated the coinage of silver Debtors advocated the coinage of silver dollars. dollars. Why?Why?
Congress had formally dropped silver Congress had formally dropped silver money in 1873. money in 1873. ReasonsReasons
Grant rejects call to mint Silver.Grant rejects call to mint Silver. Consequences of Grant’s policyConsequences of Grant’s policy
Bland-Allison ActBland-Allison Act Bland-Allison Act.Bland-Allison Act.
What does it authorize?What does it authorize? Why does it have little inflationary effect. Why does it have little inflationary effect.
Leads to Democratic backlash in Leads to Democratic backlash in congressional elections.congressional elections.
Plants the seeds of the GrangePlants the seeds of the Grange
Pallid Politics In The Gilded AgePallid Politics In The Gilded Age
Balance of two political parties during the Balance of two political parties during the Gilded Age from 1869-99Gilded Age from 1869-99. .
Majority in Congress flipped back and forth Majority in Congress flipped back and forth six times in the 11 terms between 1869-91six times in the 11 terms between 1869-91
Few controversial standsFew controversial stands Few dramatic policy differences between Few dramatic policy differences between
parties.parties. Voter turnout /voter loyalty. Voter turnout /voter loyalty. Political machines and patronagePolitical machines and patronage
Republicans v. DemocratsRepublicans v. Democrats
Republicans:Republicans: Embodied the old Puritanical ideals. Embodied the old Puritanical ideals. Strict moral codes and belief that Strict moral codes and belief that
government should be an instrument government should be an instrument in regulating economic and moral in regulating economic and moral affairs of the community. affairs of the community.
Strong in Midwest and in rural and Strong in Midwest and in rural and small-town New England. small-town New England.
Got most of votes from Freedman Got most of votes from Freedman and from Union Civil War Vets. and from Union Civil War Vets.
Republicans v. DemocratsRepublicans v. Democrats
Democrats Democrats More Roman Catholic and More Roman Catholic and
Lutheran. Lutheran. South and northern industrial cities South and northern industrial cities Large immigrant base and strong Large immigrant base and strong
Dem. machines.Dem. machines.
Stalwarts v. HalfbreedsStalwarts v. Halfbreeds
Republicans had two rival factionsRepublicans had two rival factions Stalwarts Stalwarts (Conklingites) (Conklingites)
led by NY Sen. Roscoe Conkling). led by NY Sen. Roscoe Conkling). Big believers in patronage.Big believers in patronage.
Half-BreedsHalf-Breeds. . Led by James Blaine. Led by James Blaine. Flirted with civil service.Flirted with civil service.
Consequences of this divisionConsequences of this division
The Hayes-Tilden Standoff, The Hayes-Tilden Standoff, 1876 1876
Republicans dissuade Grant from Republicans dissuade Grant from running again.running again.
Rutherford B. HayesRutherford B. Hayes.. Hayes largely unknown, but a civil Hayes largely unknown, but a civil
war officerwar officer Also, importantly, former three-term Also, importantly, former three-term
governor of Ohio. governor of Ohio.
The Hayes-Tilden Standoff, The Hayes-Tilden Standoff, 18761876
Samuel Tildon. Samuel Tildon. Platform. Platform. Attacks against Republicans.Attacks against Republicans.
Electoral College disputeElectoral College dispute ReasonsReasons Attempts to resolveAttempts to resolve Electoral Count ActElectoral Count Act Further compromiseFurther compromise
Hayes-Tilden Disputed Election of Hayes-Tilden Disputed Election of 18761876
End of ReconstructionEnd of Reconstruction Compromise was the end of Compromise was the end of
reconstruction.reconstruction. Literacy tests and poll taxesLiteracy tests and poll taxes Civil Rights CasesCivil Rights Cases Crop-Lien System/Share CroppingCrop-Lien System/Share Cropping Jim Crow LawsJim Crow Laws
Plessy v. FergusonPlessy v. Ferguson
SharecroppingSharecropping
Tenancy & the Crop Lien System
Tenancy & the Crop Lien System
Furnishing Merchant
Tenant Farmer Landowner
Loan tools and seed up to 60% interest to tenant farmer to plant spring crop.
Farmer also secures food, clothing, andother necessities oncredit from merchant until the harvest.
Merchant holds “lien” {mortgage} on part of tenant’s future crops as repayment of debt.
Plants crop, harvests in autumn.
Turns over up to ½ of crop to land owner as payment of rent.
Tenant gives remainder of crop to merchant inpayment of debt.
Rents land to tenant in exchange for ¼ to ½ of tenant farmer’s future crop.
Class Conflicts And Ethnic ClashesClass Conflicts And Ethnic Clashes
Strikes in the 1870sStrikes in the 1870s Who wins?Who wins? Why?Why?
Chinese in CaliforniaChinese in California Dennis Kearney/KearneyitesDennis Kearney/Kearneyites Chinese Exclusion ActChinese Exclusion Act
Election of 1880Election of 1880
Hayes administration was not very Hayes administration was not very noteworthy. Did not accomplish much noteworthy. Did not accomplish much beyond end to reconstruction.beyond end to reconstruction.
““Old 8-7” and “His Fraudulency.”Old 8-7” and “His Fraudulency.” He did not run for reelection and wouldn’t He did not run for reelection and wouldn’t
have been renominated had he tried. have been renominated had he tried.
Republicans in 1880Republicans in 1880
Stymied by Stallwart-Halfbreed rivalry and Stymied by Stallwart-Halfbreed rivalry and take 35 ballots to settle on a candidate. take 35 ballots to settle on a candidate.
Chose Chose James GarfieldJames Garfield. Dark-Horse. . Dark-Horse. Chester ArthurChester Arthur, was chosen VP. Why?, was chosen VP. Why? Platform is for higher tariffs and (weakly) Platform is for higher tariffs and (weakly)
for civil service reformfor civil service reform
Election of 1880Election of 1880
Democrats chose Democrats chose Winfield HancockWinfield Hancock Civil War General, but popular in southCivil War General, but popular in south
Why?. Why?. Both parties shun substantive political issues. Both parties shun substantive political issues. Garfield wins by only 40,000, but 214-155 in Garfield wins by only 40,000, but 214-155 in
electoral college.electoral college. He was besieged by office seekers.He was besieged by office seekers. Made Blain Sec. of StateMade Blain Sec. of State
Battle raging politically between Stalwarts and Half-Battle raging politically between Stalwarts and Half-Breeds.Breeds.
Election of 1880Election of 1880
1881: Garfield Assassinated!1881: Garfield Assassinated!1881: Garfield Assassinated!1881: Garfield Assassinated!
Charles Guiteau:I Am a Stalwart, and Arthur is President now!
CHESTER ARTHUR TAKES CHESTER ARTHUR TAKES COMMANDCOMMAND
Not many expected much Not many expected much from Arthur. Why?from Arthur. Why?
Displayed surprising Displayed surprising integrity, intelligence and integrity, intelligence and independence. independence.
Arthur threw his support Arthur threw his support behind reform of spoils behind reform of spoils system. system.
Pendleton Act of 1883Pendleton Act of 1883 DetailsDetails Unintended consequences?Unintended consequences?
THE BLAINE-CLEVELAND THE BLAINE-CLEVELAND MUDSLINGERS OF 1884MUDSLINGERS OF 1884
Rep. nominate BlainRep. nominate Blain Tainted with numerous Tainted with numerous
rumors of scandals. rumors of scandals. The “tattooed man” The “tattooed man” ““Mulligan letters”Mulligan letters”
MugwumpsMugwumps. .
Grover ClevelandGrover Cleveland
Democrats nominate Democrats nominate Grover Grover ClevelandCleveland. . Reputation for reform and Reputation for reform and
honesty. honesty. Cleveland’s Bastard.Cleveland’s Bastard. One of the ugliest campaigns One of the ugliest campaigns
in American historyin American history New York the key stateNew York the key state
Rum, Romanism and RebellionRum, Romanism and Rebellion
Election of 1884Election of 1884
Old Grover Takes OverOld Grover Takes Over
First Dem. president since BuchananFirst Dem. president since Buchanan Issues raised by this? Issues raised by this?
Cleveland’s political philosophyCleveland’s political philosophy Last Jeffersonian Democrat?Last Jeffersonian Democrat?
Named two former confederates to his Named two former confederates to his cabinet, helping to heal the north-south cabinet, helping to heal the north-south divide divide
Tariffs and PensionsTariffs and Pensions Cleveland and office seekers—fires 2/3 of Cleveland and office seekers—fires 2/3 of
federal employeesfederal employees Military Pension issueMilitary Pension issue TariffsTariffs
Country was running at a surplus because of high Country was running at a surplus because of high tariffs. tariffs.
Republicans had little motivation to reduce these Republicans had little motivation to reduce these tariffs.tariffs.
Cleveland’s two choices? Cleveland’s two choices? He favored reducing tariffs. Why? He favored reducing tariffs. Why? Cleveland makes tariff reduction his number-one Cleveland makes tariff reduction his number-one
issue. issue. Created a real political difference between the parties Created a real political difference between the parties
just in time for the election of 1888.just in time for the election of 1888.
Harrison Ousts ClevelandHarrison Ousts Cleveland
Dems renominate Cleveland.Dems renominate Cleveland. Rep. turn to Benjamin Rep. turn to Benjamin
Harrison, grandson of Harrison, grandson of William Henry Harrison.William Henry Harrison.
Primary issue? Primary issue? Republicans use fear of Republicans use fear of
British against Cleveland. British against Cleveland. Republicans raise a huge Republicans raise a huge
war chest. How?war chest. How? Harrison wins electoral vote Harrison wins electoral vote
but looses the popular vote. but looses the popular vote.
1888 Presidential Election1888 Presidential Election1888 Presidential Election1888 Presidential Election
Cleveland and HistoryCleveland and History
Cleveland the first sitting president to be Cleveland the first sitting president to be voted out of office since Van Buren in voted out of office since Van Buren in 1840. (Others: J. Adams, J.Q. Adams, 1840. (Others: J. Adams, J.Q. Adams, Harrison, Hoover, Carter, Bush)Harrison, Hoover, Carter, Bush)
Cleveland last to win popular vote and Cleveland last to win popular vote and lose electoral college until Gore.lose electoral college until Gore.
Cleveland only president to have two non-Cleveland only president to have two non-consecutive terms.consecutive terms.
The Republicans Return Under The Republicans Return Under HarrisonHarrison
Benj. Harrison in the White Benj. Harrison in the White House.House.
Republicans eager for Republicans eager for patronage. patronage. Blaine is Secretary of State.Blaine is Secretary of State. Teddy RooseveltTeddy Roosevelt Civil Civil
Service Commission.Service Commission. Republican quorum Republican quorum
problem in the House problem in the House Speaker Thomas ReedSpeaker Thomas Reed
Political Gravy For AllPolitical Gravy For All
Billion Dollar CongressBillion Dollar Congress Pension Act of 1890 Pension Act of 1890 Sherman Anti-Trust Act Sherman Anti-Trust Act Tariffs and SilverTariffs and Silver
Easterners wanted a Easterners wanted a higher tariff higher tariff
Westerners and farmers Westerners and farmers wanted more silver mintedwanted more silver minted
Tariff IreTariff Ire Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890 Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890 McKinley Tariff Bill McKinley Tariff Bill
raised tariff rates to their highest peace-time raised tariff rates to their highest peace-time level—48% level—48%
Farmers hated the new tariff. Why?Farmers hated the new tariff. Why? Republicans punished in 1890 Republicans punished in 1890
congressional election. congressional election. Lose nearly 60 seats and Dems have a huge Lose nearly 60 seats and Dems have a huge
majority in Congress majority in Congress
1892 Presidential Election1892 Presidential Election1892 Presidential Election1892 Presidential Election
Grover Cleveland Benjamin Harrison again! * (DEM) (REP)
PopulistsPopulists PopulistsPopulists emerge as a potent third party. emerge as a potent third party.
Officially the Officially the People’s PartyPeople’s Party Nominate James B. WeaverNominate James B. Weaver
Populist AgendaPopulist Agenda:: free and unlimited coinage of silver at the ratio of free and unlimited coinage of silver at the ratio of
sixteen to onesixteen to one graduated income taxgraduated income tax Gov’t ownership of telephone, telegraph and RRGov’t ownership of telephone, telegraph and RR direct election of US senatorsdirect election of US senators one-term limit on presidencyone-term limit on presidency use of the initiative and referendum to allow citizens use of the initiative and referendum to allow citizens
to propose and review legislation.to propose and review legislation. Shorter work day-to appeal to laborShorter work day-to appeal to labor restriction on immigration—to appeal to laborrestriction on immigration—to appeal to labor
PopulistsPopulists
Labor is mad and are ripe Labor is mad and are ripe for wooing by Populists. for wooing by Populists.
Homestead strikeHomestead strike Populists poll over one-Populists poll over one-
million votes and become million votes and become one of the few third parties one of the few third parties to win electoral votes to win electoral votes
Populists problems with Populists problems with BlacksBlacks Grandfather Clause Grandfather Clause
1892 Presidential Election1892 Presidential Election
OLD GROVER CLEVELAND AGAINOLD GROVER CLEVELAND AGAIN
Depression of 1893 Depression of 1893 Causes:Causes:
Over-building and over-speculationOver-building and over-speculation labor unrestlabor unrest agricultural depression from low commodity pricesagricultural depression from low commodity prices reduction of US credit abroad because of Silver reduction of US credit abroad because of Silver
Purchase ActPurchase Act Problems with overseas banks, which were forced to Problems with overseas banks, which were forced to
call in US loans.call in US loans. Cleveland does next to nothing— laissez faireCleveland does next to nothing— laissez faire
Gold ProblemGold Problem Treasury was running a deficit because of Treasury was running a deficit because of
the Silver Purchase Act. Reasonsthe Silver Purchase Act. Reasons Cleveland saw no choice but to repeal the Cleveland saw no choice but to repeal the
Silver Purchase Act.Silver Purchase Act. William Jennings BryanWilliam Jennings Bryan Cleveland forced to issue bonds to raise Cleveland forced to issue bonds to raise
money in order to buy goldmoney in order to buy gold J.P. Morgan dealJ.P. Morgan deal
Public reactionPublic reaction
DEMOCRATIC TARIFF TINKERINGDEMOCRATIC TARIFF TINKERING
McKinley Tariff causes deficitMcKinley Tariff causes deficit Democrats propose bill to reduce tariff but add Democrats propose bill to reduce tariff but add
income taxincome tax Senate tacks on lots of provisions to help special Senate tacks on lots of provisions to help special
interests.interests. Wilson-Gorman TariffWilson-Gorman Tariff Act of 1894. Act of 1894. Cleveland refused to sign it, but can’t veto.Cleveland refused to sign it, but can’t veto. Supreme Court throws out income taxSupreme Court throws out income tax Public opinion hates the bill and blame Dems.Public opinion hates the bill and blame Dems. Democrats hammered in 1894 mid-term Democrats hammered in 1894 mid-term
election.election.