Politics in the Gilded Age

Forgettable PresidentsAfter Compromise of 1877 (Hayes), govt. is inactive.

Attn. shifts to industrialization/urbanization/West

Presidents are “forgettable” and parties don’t take stands on controversial issues.

Stalemate“Do-Little” govt. in tune with Laissez-Faire and Social Darwinism… (courts agree) Divided govt. in Washington (typically: D’s = HoR, R’s = Senate and Pres.) High voter turnout b/c strong party identification

R’s still used “wave bloody shirt”… had the AA, reformers, Protestant vote (Post 1877): D’s win every former Confed. state: “Solid South”… political machines and new immigrants.

Solid South

Party PatronageNo party had active legislation… just wanted political numbers/power.

Sen. Roscoe Conkling (R-NY) appointed lucrative jobs to loyalists in NY Customs Dept.

Republicans: “Stalwarts” and “Halfbreeds”… those that didn't play game were called “Mugwumps”

Low point of American politics…

Presidential Revolving Door…Hayes: Ended Reconstruction. Favored temperance … “Lemonade Lucy”

Garfield: G = “Halfbreed” and Arthur (VP) = “Stalwart”

G gave 100,000 fed. jobs to Halfbreeds; angered Stalwarts… assassinated.

Arthur: Doesn’t follow R’s tariff platform… don’t renominate in 1884.

Election of 1884 (Cleveland)

Some R’s voted for Cleveland (D) as he was incorruptible and honest.

R’s label D’s party of “Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion”

More Catholics vote as they are offended of phrase. (NY)

Cleveland first Demo. president since Buchanan in 1856.

Interstate Commerce Act; Dawes Act; Civil Service System

The Money QuestionHot debate.. expand money supply? How?

Lower-class wanted more money circulated: 1) could borrow money; 2) pay debts

“Soft Money” advocates: make more paper money (greenbacks) and coin.

Upper class liked “hard money” — backed by gold/silver (specie).

Population and economy grows + a limited amount of hard money = value of specie-backed dollars increase. (+300%)

Greenback PartyGreenbacks issued as emergency financing for Civil War.

Creditors said this was against “natural law”

Specie Resumption Act 1875: Withdrew newly issued greenbacks.

Greenback Party is formed.

1878: 14 congressmen… dies out when econ. panic ends.

Election of 1888Question of raising/lowering a protective tariff. (Cleveland wanted to lower it)

Republicans favor high tariff and use this as platform.

Benjamin Harrison (R) wins with Northern electoral votes.

Now R’s control Congress (Sen and HoR) and pres.

Very active Congress… “Billion-dollar Congress”

Billion-dollar CongressNew Congress passes first billion-dollar budget in U.S. history.

McKinley Tariff 1890

Increases in pensions for Civil War vets and families

Sherman Antitrust Act

Sherman Silver Purchase Act 1890: increased amount of silver coin

Bill protecting AA voting rights — defeated in Senate

Many attempts to legislate public morality…

Populist PartyD’s return to congressional power in 1890…

Rise of Populist Party (Omaha platform)

Concerned with econ. power in trusts and bankers

Political: 1) direct popular election of Senators; 2) initiatives and referendums for state laws.

Econ: 1) unlimited silver coinage; 2) graduated income tax; 3) public ownership of utilities; 4) loans for farmers; 5) 8-hour work day.

Attack on laissez-faire capitalism; alliance b/w poor whites and poor blacks… “People’s party”

Election of 1892James Weaver (Populist-IA) more than 1 million votes; one of few 3rd party cand. to get electoral votes (22)

Fear of Populists uniting poor blacks and whites led conservative D’s to disenfranchise AA’s.

Unpopular McKinley Tariff —> Cleveland winning (again)

Part Deux

Depression PoliticsPanic of 1893: Huge depression — railroad bankruptcy; farm foreclosures, unemployment at 20%… Cleveland favors gold standard.

Investors trade silver for gold; gold bullion now at dangerously low levels… repeals SSP Act.

Cleveland borrows $65mill from JP Morgan ==> public think govt a tool for rich to get richer…. and Pullman Strike fiasco.

Supreme Court…income tax unconstitutional… (will eventually become 16th Amend…1913)

Jobless march on Washington… arrested for trespassing.

Turning Point: 1896Conservative leadership questioned… R’s bury D’s. Populists gain traction.

William Jennings Bryan’s “Cross of Gold” speech.

“Shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold”… makes him Demo. nominee… favored silver.

Populists also nominate Bryan

“Gold Bug” Democrats… formed National Democratic party or voted Repub.

McKinley and the Campaign

William McKinley (R-OH) supported high protective tariff.

Blamed D’s for 1893 Panic; promise of industry and favored gold.

Gold Bug Democratic defection gives McKinley advantage.

As a great orator, Bryan traveled 18,000 miles garnering of support.

McK’s campaign mngr (Hanna) raises millions and sells McK through mass media — “Front-porch campaign”

Bryan hurt when employers said factory would close if elected.

McKinley won all of Northeast and upper Midwest in decisive victory

McKinley’s PresidencyLucky to take office as econ revives.

Gold discoveries in Alaska increase money supply.

Made gold official standard of US currency.

Generally well-liked; active leader during Spanish-American War

Significance of 1896 ElectionEnd of political stalemate of Gilded Age.

Republican dominance of presidency (7 of next 9); and both houses (17 of 20)

Ever-apparent (southern) racism leads to Populist demise.

Clear victory for urban centers/businesses/middle class.

Triumph of modern industrial / urban American values over rural ideals of Jefferson and Jackson

McKinley makes America major world power; Mark Hanna creates model for political organization and financing

Focused on publicity and mass media.