Chapter 20 POLITICAL REALIGNMENTS IN THE 1890s

Chapter 20Chapter 20POLITICAL POLITICAL

REALIGNMENTSREALIGNMENTSIN THE 1890sIN THE 1890s

America Past and PresentAmerica Past and Present

Politics of StalematePolitics of Stalemate

Americans were fascinated by politics of Americans were fascinated by politics of the late nineteenth centurythe late nineteenth century– It was considered a form of entertainmentIt was considered a form of entertainment– Very high voter turnoutVery high voter turnout

White males made up bulk of electorateWhite males made up bulk of electorate– Women may vote in national elections only in Women may vote in national elections only in

Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, ColoradoWyoming, Utah, Idaho, Colorado– Black men denied vote by poll tax, literacy Black men denied vote by poll tax, literacy

tests, grandfather clausetests, grandfather clause

p.574

The Party DeadlockThe Party Deadlock Post-Civil War Democratic party divides electorate Post-Civil War Democratic party divides electorate

almost evenly with Republicans almost evenly with Republicans – Democrats emphasize state’s rights & limited govtDemocrats emphasize state’s rights & limited govt– Republicans see govt as agent to promote moral progress Republicans see govt as agent to promote moral progress

& material wealth in nation as a whole& material wealth in nation as a whole

One-party control of both Congress & White House One-party control of both Congress & White House rarerare

Each party has safe states, control of fed govt rests Each party has safe states, control of fed govt rests with 6 “doubtful” states NY, CN, IL, OH, IN, NJwith 6 “doubtful” states NY, CN, IL, OH, IN, NJ

In three of the five elections from 1876 to 1892, In three of the five elections from 1876 to 1892, victor won by <1% of vote; in 1876 & 1888, losing victor won by <1% of vote; in 1876 & 1888, losing candidate actually had more popular votescandidate actually had more popular votes

p.574-575

Experiments in the StatesExperiments in the States State govts establish commissions to State govts establish commissions to

investigate & regulate railroads, etc.investigate & regulate railroads, etc. Munn v. Illinois (1877) upheld authority of Munn v. Illinois (1877) upheld authority of

states to regulate commercestates to regulate commerce Wabash v. Illinois (1886) weakened the Wabash v. Illinois (1886) weakened the

Munn decision by saying that a state could Munn decision by saying that a state could not regulate beyond its borders; only Cong not regulate beyond its borders; only Cong couldcould– Spurred estab of Spurred estab of Interstate Commerce Com- Interstate Commerce Com-

mission as first attempt at federal regulationmission as first attempt at federal regulation– ICC prototype of modern fed regulatory agenciesICC prototype of modern fed regulatory agencies

p.575

Reestablishing Presidential PowerReestablishing Presidential Power Impeachment of Johnson, Grant scandals, Impeachment of Johnson, Grant scandals,

election of 1876, weakened the presidencyelection of 1876, weakened the presidency Later presidents reassert executive powerLater presidents reassert executive power

– Hayes ended military occupation of the southHayes ended military occupation of the south– James GarfieldJames Garfield lowered tariffs to cut taxes, & lowered tariffs to cut taxes, &

asserted Am economic & strategic interests in asserted Am economic & strategic interests in Latin AmLatin Am

Assassinated by Charles Guiteau, disappointed office Assassinated by Charles Guiteau, disappointed office seeker seeker

– VP Arthur strengthened navy, reformed civil svcVP Arthur strengthened navy, reformed civil svc– Cleveland vetoed 2/3 of bills put before him & Cleveland vetoed 2/3 of bills put before him &

forced the return land obtained fraudulently by forced the return land obtained fraudulently by railroad, lumber & cattle companies railroad, lumber & cattle companies p.576-577

The ElectionThe Electionof 1880of 1880

p.576Chester A. Arthur completed Garfield’s term


p.577Cleveland first democrat since Buchanan (before Lincoln)

p.577

Cleveland will be back in 1892

Republicans are back




¼ Point¼ Point

Republicans in Power:Republicans in Power:The Billion-Dollar CongressThe Billion-Dollar Congress Election of 1888 gave the Republicans Presidency Election of 1888 gave the Republicans Presidency

& both houses of Congress& both houses of Congress– Stalemate broken, but…Stalemate broken, but…

Democrats stall progress in Congress using the Democrats stall progress in Congress using the “disappearing quorum” trick“disappearing quorum” trick– Refused to answer roll call determine if a quorum was Refused to answer roll call determine if a quorum was

present present

1890 ~Spkr of House Thomas B. Reed instructed 1890 ~Spkr of House Thomas B. Reed instructed the clerk to record the names of those present but the clerk to record the names of those present but refusing to voterefusing to vote– ““Reed Rules” adoptedReed Rules” adopted

p.577-578

Tariffs, Trusts, & SilverTariffs, Trusts, & SilverHarrison AdministrationHarrison Administration

Laws began to pour out of Cong in 1890Laws began to pour out of Cong in 1890 McKinley Tariff ActMcKinley Tariff Act ~ Duties raised to all time high ~ Duties raised to all time high

– Tariff (duty) = A tax or fee paid by those importing goods Tariff (duty) = A tax or fee paid by those importing goods caused the price of goods to be highercaused the price of goods to be higher

Dependents Pension ActDependents Pension Act ~ Pensions for Union ~ Pensions for Union Army veterans, their widows & childrenArmy veterans, their widows & children– By 1893 ~ 1 million receiving pensions (costly)By 1893 ~ 1 million receiving pensions (costly)

Sherman Anti-Trust ActSherman Anti-Trust Act ~ Aimed at breaking up ~ Aimed at breaking up monopolies (give the little guys a chance)monopolies (give the little guys a chance)– E.C. Knight Co controlled 98% of sugar refining in USE.C. Knight Co controlled 98% of sugar refining in US– U.S. vs. E.C. Knight = Does not apply to manufacturersU.S. vs. E.C. Knight = Does not apply to manufacturers

Sherman Silver Purchase ActSherman Silver Purchase Act ~ Treasury directed to ~ Treasury directed to purchase 4.5M oz Ag/mon & issue Treasury notespurchase 4.5M oz Ag/mon & issue Treasury notes– Notes exchange for Ag or Au (Bimetallic system)Notes exchange for Ag or Au (Bimetallic system) p.578-579

The 1890 ElectionsThe 1890 Elections1890 Congress1890 Congress

The Democrats labeled the 1890 Congress The Democrats labeled the 1890 Congress the “Billion Dollar Congress” for spending the “Billion Dollar Congress” for spending that much in appropriations & grantsthat much in appropriations & grants

Republicans had passed unpopular policies Republicans had passed unpopular policies on state levelon state level– Sunday closing laws, prohibition, mandatory Sunday closing laws, prohibition, mandatory

English in schools (Roman Catholics & German English in schools (Roman Catholics & German Lutherans resented such laws)Lutherans resented such laws)

Republicans lost 78 seats in the House of Republicans lost 78 seats in the House of Reps in the 1890 mid-term electionsReps in the 1890 mid-term elections

1890 Cong shaped future of natl policy1890 Cong shaped future of natl policy p.579

The Rise of the The Rise of the Populist MovementPopulist Movement

The National Farmers' Alliance & Industrial The National Farmers' Alliance & Industrial Union works to recruit discontented farmersUnion works to recruit discontented farmers

The Farm Problem ~ Farmers’ complaintsThe Farm Problem ~ Farmers’ complaints– Rising railroad rates (rates actually declining)Rising railroad rates (rates actually declining)– Onerous mortgages (loans permit production Onerous mortgages (loans permit production

expansion)expansion)– Lower prices for crops (purchasing power rising)Lower prices for crops (purchasing power rising)

p.579-580

Selected Commodity PricesSelected Commodity Prices

p.580

The Fast-Growing The Fast-Growing Farmers'Farmers' AllianceAlliance 1875 ~ Southern Alliance starts in Texas1875 ~ Southern Alliance starts in Texas Loosely affiliated w/ Southern Alliance, the Loosely affiliated w/ Southern Alliance, the

Colored Farmer’s Natl Alliance struck for Colored Farmer’s Natl Alliance struck for better conditionsbetter conditions– Leaders lynched in 1891Leaders lynched in 1891

1889: Regional Alliances merge into Natl 1889: Regional Alliances merge into Natl Farmer’s Alliance Farmer’s Alliance

Starting 1890, Alliance runs candidatesStarting 1890, Alliance runs candidates– Mary “Yellin’” Lease promoted Alliance candsMary “Yellin’” Lease promoted Alliance cands

““Raise less corn & more hell”Raise less corn & more hell”

Major objective = Organize & politicize the Major objective = Organize & politicize the American farmerAmerican farmer

p.580-582

The People's PartyThe People's Party Southern Alliance splits from Democrats to Southern Alliance splits from Democrats to

form the Populist partyform the Populist party Southern Populists recruit African Americans, Southern Populists recruit African Americans,

give them influential positionsgive them influential positions 1892: Populist presidential candidate James 1892: Populist presidential candidate James

WeaverWeaver draws over 1M votes draws over 1M votes– Loses South to violence & intimidationLoses South to violence & intimidation– Loses urban areasLoses urban areas

While it lived, the Alliance was one of the While it lived, the Alliance was one of the most powerful protest movements in most powerful protest movements in American historyAmerican history

Alliance wanes after 1892 electionsAlliance wanes after 1892 elections p.582-583

Major issue: Tariffs

Demos interested in Free Market

Reps want ProtectionismPopulist candidate: Populist candidate:

James WeaverJames Weaver

p.583

The Crisis of the DepressionThe Crisis of the Depression Economic crisis dominated the 1890sEconomic crisis dominated the 1890s Railroads overbuilt, companies grew beyond Railroads overbuilt, companies grew beyond

their markets, farms & businesses went deeply their markets, farms & businesses went deeply in debtin debt

The Panic of 1893The Panic of 1893– Feb 1893 ~ Railroad failures spark panic in NY Stock Feb 1893 ~ Railroad failures spark panic in NY Stock

ExchgExchg– Investors sell stock to purchase goldInvestors sell stock to purchase gold– Depleted Treasury shakes confidence Depleted Treasury shakes confidence – May 1893 ~ Market hits record low, many business May 1893 ~ Market hits record low, many business

failures displace 2 million workersfailures displace 2 million workers– 1894 ~ Corn crop fails1894 ~ Corn crop fails– Caused by the economic changes of the periodCaused by the economic changes of the period

p.583-584

Coxey's Army & the Coxey's Army & the Pullman StrikePullman Strike

1894 ~ Jacob Coxey led “Coxey’s Army” to 1894 ~ Jacob Coxey led “Coxey’s Army” to Washington demanding govt jobs ~ Arrested, jailed Washington demanding govt jobs ~ Arrested, jailed 20 days20 days

Pullman strike joined by Pullman strike joined by Eugene V. Debs’Eugene V. Debs’ American American Railway Union closed western ½ of nationRailway Union closed western ½ of nation– Refused to handle trains that carried Pullman carsRefused to handle trains that carried Pullman cars– Grain & livestock couldn’t reach marketsGrain & livestock couldn’t reach markets– Factories needed coalFactories needed coal– Economy tied upEconomy tied up

p.584-585

Coxey's Army & the Coxey's Army & the Pullman StrikePullman Strike

President Cleveland suppressed strikes with fed President Cleveland suppressed strikes with fed troops on the grounds that it obstructed the delivery troops on the grounds that it obstructed the delivery of the mailof the mail

Peaceful when troops arrived, but soon rail cars Peaceful when troops arrived, but soon rail cars were being overturned & burnedwere being overturned & burned

Army occupied railroad yardsArmy occupied railroad yards DebsDebs was jailed was jailed Workers resent ClevelandWorkers resent Cleveland Debs became prominentDebs became prominent

p.584-585

The Miners of the MidwestThe Miners of the Midwest Even in best of times, mining was a dirty & Even in best of times, mining was a dirty &

dangerous businessdangerous business– 1889: 97 cents/ton; 1896: 80 cents/ton1889: 97 cents/ton; 1896: 80 cents/ton

““Old Miners” (English & Irish) resented the Old Miners” (English & Irish) resented the “New Miners” (Italians, Poles, Russians, “New Miners” (Italians, Poles, Russians, etc.), who lacked skills & worked longer hrs etc.), who lacked skills & worked longer hrs for less payfor less pay

United Mine Workers Strike of 1894 ~ New United Mine Workers Strike of 1894 ~ New Miners more prone to violenceMiners more prone to violence– UMW dominated by Old Miners urged state & fed UMW dominated by Old Miners urged state & fed

legislatures to stop immigrationlegislatures to stop immigration p.585-586

A Beleaguered PresidentA Beleaguered President

Cleveland repeals Sherman Silver Cleveland repeals Sherman Silver Purchase Act to remedy Panic of 1893 Purchase Act to remedy Panic of 1893 (was causing inflation)(was causing inflation)– Gold was leaving the countryGold was leaving the country– Repeal fails to stop depressionRepeal fails to stop depression

Democrats renege (fail to make good) on Democrats renege (fail to make good) on promise to lower tariffs (which would promise to lower tariffs (which would reduce the cost of goods)reduce the cost of goods)

Not looking good for DemocratsNot looking good for Democrats p.586-587

Breaking the Party DeadlockBreaking the Party Deadlock The mid-term elections of 1894 were The mid-term elections of 1894 were

devastating to the Democratsdevastating to the Democrats– Lost 113 seats in the H of RLost 113 seats in the H of R– Even lost in the “solid South” & destroyed in the Even lost in the “solid South” & destroyed in the

Midwest Midwest

Grover Cleveland became a scapegoat for Grover Cleveland became a scapegoat for the country’s economic illsthe country’s economic ills– Police barracks placed on White house lawnPolice barracks placed on White house lawn

Americans became more accepting of the Americans became more accepting of the use of govt power to regulate the economy & use of govt power to regulate the economy & safeguard individual welfaresafeguard individual welfare

p.587

Changing AttitudesChanging Attitudes

Americans had thought of unemployment as Americans had thought of unemployment as the result of personal failure, affecting the result of personal failure, affecting primarily the lazy & immoralprimarily the lazy & immoral– In the midst of a depression, such views were In the midst of a depression, such views were

harder to maintainharder to maintain– Respected neighbors were laid off & factories in Respected neighbors were laid off & factories in

town were shut downtown were shut down

Americans accepted the need for govt Americans accepted the need for govt intervention to help the poor & joblessintervention to help the poor & jobless– Pressures for reform increasedPressures for reform increased

p.587-588

““Everybody Works but Father”Everybody Works but Father”A 1905 Popular SongA 1905 Popular Song

The depression accelerated the The depression accelerated the entrance of women & children into entrance of women & children into the labor forcethe labor force– More than half of the principal breadwinners were More than half of the principal breadwinners were

out of work out of work

Employers retained women & children after Employers retained women & children after depression to hold down costsdepression to hold down costs– Female telegraph & telephone operators nearly Female telegraph & telephone operators nearly

tripled during 1890stripled during 1890s– Child workers increased by 160%; youngsters of Child workers increased by 160%; youngsters of

8 & 9 worked 12 hrs/day for pitiful wages8 & 9 worked 12 hrs/day for pitiful wages p.588-589

Changing Themes in LiteratureChanging Themes in Literature The greatest change in American literature The greatest change in American literature

during the 1800s was the rise of during the 1800s was the rise of realismrealism Novels (130) of Horatio Alger provided Novels (130) of Horatio Alger provided

simple lessons about hard work & successsimple lessons about hard work & success– Sold 20M copiesSold 20M copies

Louisa May AlcottLouisa May Alcott– Little Women related the daily lives of four girls Little Women related the daily lives of four girls

in New Englandin New England

Anna SewellAnna Sewell– Black Beauty charmed readers with the story of Black Beauty charmed readers with the story of

an abused horse that found a happy home an abused horse that found a happy home p.589-590

Changing Themes in LiteratureChanging Themes in Literature The writings of Mark Twain relied on realism The writings of Mark Twain relied on realism

& the humor of American life& the humor of American life– His “Life on the Mississippi,” “Adventures of Tom His “Life on the Mississippi,” “Adventures of Tom

Sawyer,” “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” Sawyer,” “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” gained international prominencegained international prominence

– Twain used dialect & common speech instead of Twain used dialect & common speech instead of literary languageliterary language

– Real name?Real name?– ““Always do the right thing. It will Always do the right thing. It will

gratify some & astonish the rest.”gratify some & astonish the rest.”– ““If there’s no malice in my heart; If there’s no malice in my heart;

there can’t be any in my words.”there can’t be any in my words.”

p.589-590

The Presidential ElectionThe Presidential Electionof 1896of 1896

Known as the “battle of the standards” Known as the “battle of the standards” because it focused on gold & silver as the because it focused on gold & silver as the standard for currencystandard for currency

The Mystique of SilverThe Mystique of Silver– The “Silverites” called for free & independent The “Silverites” called for free & independent

coinage of silvercoinage of silverSet ratio of silver to gold at 16:1Set ratio of silver to gold at 16:1

Mints would coin all silver offered them, regardless of Mints would coin all silver offered them, regardless of other nations’ policiesother nations’ policies

Believed amount in circulation determined level of Believed amount in circulation determined level of economic activityeconomic activity p.590-591

Republicans & GoldRepublicans & Gold

The Republicans selected The Republicans selected WilliamWilliam McKinleyMcKinley as their candidate in 1896as their candidate in 1896– Had served in the Union Army during Civil WarHad served in the Union Army during Civil War– Senator from Ohio since 1876Senator from Ohio since 1876

Campaign mgr Marcus Hanna marketed Campaign mgr Marcus Hanna marketed McKinley as “the advance agent for McKinley as “the advance agent for prosperity”prosperity”– Promised Au standard would Promised Au standard would

restore prosperityrestore prosperityp.591

Democrats & SilverDemocrats & Silver

Outgoing Pres Cleveland opposed the Ag Outgoing Pres Cleveland opposed the Ag standard, but Southern & Western standard, but Southern & Western DemocratsDemocrats disagreed disagreed

They selected the handsome, well spoken They selected the handsome, well spoken WilliamWilliam JenningsJennings BryanBryan of Nebraska of Nebraska – A bit of a religious zealot, he appealed to the A bit of a religious zealot, he appealed to the

“plain folk” & promised the “old America.”“plain folk” & promised the “old America.”– Used vivid imagery in his speechesUsed vivid imagery in his speeches

““Crucify mankind on a cross of gold”Crucify mankind on a cross of gold”

..p.591-594

Campaign & ElectionCampaign & Election

Populist party endorsed BryanPopulist party endorsed Bryan Bryan offered return to rural, religious USBryan offered return to rural, religious US

– He said, “Farms are as important as factories He said, “Farms are as important as factories & the virtues of rural life & religion outweigh & the virtues of rural life & religion outweigh the doubtful lure of city life”the doubtful lure of city life”

McKinley defended urban, industrial McKinley defended urban, industrial societysociety

Populist party vanished after 1896Populist party vanished after 1896

P594-595

p.595

McKinley declined the invitation to debate Bryan.

He chose to stay home and have voters come to him & use the press.

Bryan tvled over 18k mi & visited 27 states.

Spoke 600 times to some 3M people.

The McKinley AdministrationThe McKinley Administration McKinley took office at depression’s endMcKinley took office at depression’s end An activist president; tvled far more than An activist president; tvled far more than

any previousany previous 1897 ~ Dingley Tariff raised rates to 1897 ~ Dingley Tariff raised rates to

record highsrecord highs– One of the few taxes available to the fed govtOne of the few taxes available to the fed govt

1900 ~ US placed on gold standard1900 ~ US placed on gold standard 1900 ~ McKinley won landslide reelection 1900 ~ McKinley won landslide reelection

against William Jennings Bryan against William Jennings Bryan (next slide) (next slide)

p.595-596


p.596


p.596

• September 6, 1901, only a few months after second inauguration, McKinley was shot by Leon Czolgosz, a 28-yr old out of work laborer & anarchist.

Electrocuted 45 days after McKinley died


p.596

• September 6, 1901, only a few months after second inauguration, McKinley was shot by Leon Czolgosz, a 28-yr old out of work laborer & anarchist.

• VP Theodore Roosevelt, former Governor of NY & veteran of the Spanish American War became president.

• Mark Hanna, who had never approved of TR, said, “Now look, that damned cowboy is president of the United States.”

• A new century was under way




EndEnd

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Chapter 20 POLITICAL REALIGNMENTS IN THE 1890s