National Politics in the Gilded age, 1877-1900

1. National Politics in the Gilded age, 1877-1900

3. Politics in the Gilded Age • “Gilded Age” – Mark Twain • Corruption and patronage • Weak presidents – “Do-Littles” or “Do Nothings” • Turned blind eye towards cities

4. Belief in Limited Government • Roots in: • Social Darwinism • Laissez-faire economics • Loose interpretation of govt. regulations • Weak laws passed by the govt.

5. Campaign Strategies • Democrats: • Began to attract Jewish and Catholic immigrants • Many believed in states rights • “Maintain the status quo” • Republicans – “waving the bloody shirt” • “Lincoln was shot by a Democrat” • Brass bands, free beer, picnics • Pro-business attitude • The North likes this

6. Party Patronage • Main objectives: • Gain office • Hold office • Provide jobs to party faithful • Get reelected as much as possible

7. Mugwumps

8. Stalwarts

9. Presidential Politics • James A. Garfield • Republican • Won Election of 1880 • Running mate – Chester A. Arthur • Patronage – 100,000 jobs • 1881 – Assassinated • Arthur becomes president

10. Presidential Politics • Chester A. Arthur • Better than expected • Developed modern Navy • Questioned tariffs • Republicans went crazy! • Not reelected in 1884

11. Major Issues • Civil Service Reform • Pendleton Act of 1883 • Federal applicants • Tested and competed for jobs • Tried to eliminate patronage • Applied to 10% of all federal employees

12. Major Issues • Farmers • The Grange (1868) • Oliver H. Kelley • Social outlet for farmers • 1873 – Grange in every state • Set up farmer cooperatives • Made it illegal for RRs to fix prices

13. Major Issues • Farmers (cont.) • Interstate Commerce Act (1886) • Rates must be “reasonable and just” • Set up the Interstate Commerce Commission • Actually helped RRs, not farmers • Made rates stable in favor of RRs

14. Major Issues • Farmers (cont.) • National Alliance • Direct election of Senators • Lowered tariffs • Graduated income tax • New banking system • Increase money supply • Gave rise to the Populist Party

15. Panic of 1893 • Railroad overbuilding – AGAIN!!! • Money not backed by strong currency • Worst depression in U.S. History

16. Coxey’s Army • 1894 – Jacob Coxey • Led thousands of unemployed to DC • Demanded jobs • $500 million for public utilities jobs • First real demonstration by working classes • Trespassing and arrested

17. Election of 1896 • William McKinley (R) • Back by Marc Hanna • Wealthy industrialists wanted McKinley • “Tool of Business” • Campaigned from home: “Front Porch Campaign” • Raised nearly $3million for campaign

18. Election of 1896 • William Jennings Bryan • Democratic/Populist • Made thousands of political appearances • Ideas were very radical – support farmers/workers • Bimetallism – GOLD AND SILVER • Seen as too radical – socialist • Raised only $600,000

19. “Cross of Gold Speech”

20. Election Results • McKinley was too strong • Had the backing of BIG BUSINESS • Raised ALOT of money for campaign • Seemed on an “even keel” • Bryan tried to appeal to workers and farmers • Only 1/3 of Americans lived in rural areas • Lost 271-176