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Gilded AgeGilded Age
Gilded AgeGilded Age
Coined by Mark Twain in 1873Coined by Mark Twain in 1873 Referred to the superficial glitter of Referred to the superficial glitter of
the new wealththe new wealth Very little was accomplished Very little was accomplished
politically politically – Era of “forgettable presidents”Era of “forgettable presidents”
None served more than 1 termNone served more than 1 term
– The 2 major political parties avoided The 2 major political parties avoided issuesissues
Political stalematePolitical stalemate
Due toDue to– Prevailing political ideologyPrevailing political ideology
Limited governmentLimited government– Laissez-faire economicsLaissez-faire economics– Social DarwinismSocial Darwinism
– Campaign tactics of the 2 partiesCampaign tactics of the 2 parties Caused by the closeness of electionsCaused by the closeness of elections Wanted to get out the vote w/o alienating Wanted to get out the vote w/o alienating
voters voters – Brass bands, buttons, flags, picnics, free beer, etc.Brass bands, buttons, flags, picnics, free beer, etc.
Voter turnout was as high as 80%Voter turnout was as high as 80%
Political StalematePolitical Stalemate
RepublicansRepublicans– Waved the “bloody shirt” in every campaignWaved the “bloody shirt” in every campaign
Blamed Dems for the CW & Lincoln’s deathBlamed Dems for the CW & Lincoln’s death– Reformers, African-Americans, businessmen, Reformers, African-Americans, businessmen,
middle-class Anglo-Saxon Protestantsmiddle-class Anglo-Saxon Protestants
DemocratsDemocrats– Won every election in southern statesWon every election in southern states
Solid SouthSolid South– In North, Dems had political machines & In North, Dems had political machines &
immigrant vote in citiesimmigrant vote in cities Catholics & Jews who objected to temperanceCatholics & Jews who objected to temperance
– Believed in states’ rights & limited federal powersBelieved in states’ rights & limited federal powers
Political StalematePolitical Stalemate– Party patronageParty patronage
Neither party had a legislative agendaNeither party had a legislative agenda Goal was to get in office, stay in office, & Goal was to get in office, stay in office, &
provide jobs to supportersprovide jobs to supporters– Rep. Sen. Roscoe Conkling (NY)Rep. Sen. Roscoe Conkling (NY)
Powerful leader who gave lucrative jobs in the Powerful leader who gave lucrative jobs in the NY Customs HouseNY Customs House
– StalwartsStalwarts Followers of ConklingFollowers of Conkling
– HalfbreedsHalfbreeds Rivals for Republican patronage Rivals for Republican patronage Led by James BlaineLed by James Blaine
– MugwumpsMugwumps Republicans who did not follow either sideRepublicans who did not follow either side Mugs on one side of the fence, wumps on the Mugs on one side of the fence, wumps on the
otherother
1884 cartoon in 1884 cartoon in PuckPuck magazine ridicules Blaine as magazine ridicules Blaine as
the tattooed-man, with many indelible scandals.the tattooed-man, with many indelible scandals.
Gilded Age PresidentsGilded Age Presidents Rutherford B. HayesRutherford B. Hayes
– Ended ReconstructionEnded Reconstruction– Attempted to Attempted to
reestablish honest reestablish honest governmentgovernment
– Stopped serving Stopped serving liquor in the White liquor in the White HouseHouse Temperance Temperance
reformerreformer Wife—”Lemonade Wife—”Lemonade
Lucy”Lucy”
– Vetoed efforts to Vetoed efforts to restrict Chinese restrict Chinese immigrationimmigration
Election of 1880Election of 1880– Republicans nominated “Halfbreed” Republicans nominated “Halfbreed”
James Garfield for pres. & “Stalwart” James Garfield for pres. & “Stalwart” Chester A. Arthur for vpChester A. Arthur for vp
– Democrats nominated Winfield S. Democrats nominated Winfield S. Hancock, a former US Gen. wounded at Hancock, a former US Gen. wounded at GettysburgGettysburg
James GarfieldJames Garfield– Besieged by Republicans seeking jobsBesieged by Republicans seeking jobs– Filled most jobs with HalfbreedsFilled most jobs with Halfbreeds– Shot by disgruntled office seekerShot by disgruntled office seeker
Charles Guiteau Charles Guiteau
President Garfield's assassination depicted in President Garfield's assassination depicted in
engraving from 1881 newspaperengraving from 1881 newspaper
To General Sherman: To General Sherman: I have just shot the President.I have just shot the President. I shot him several times as I I shot him several times as I wished him to go as easily as wished him to go as easily as possible. His death was a possible. His death was a political necessity. political necessity.
I am a lawyer, theologian, and I am a lawyer, theologian, and politician. I am a Stalwart of politician. I am a Stalwart of the Stalwarts. I was with the Stalwarts. I was with General Grant and the rest of General Grant and the rest of our men, in our men, in New YorkNew York during the during the canvass. canvass.
I am going to the Jail.I am going to the Jail. Please Please order out your troops, and take order out your troops, and take possession of the jail at once. possession of the jail at once. Very respectfully, Very respectfully, Charles Guiteau. Charles Guiteau.
President James Garfield lies in the sickroom at the President James Garfield lies in the sickroom at the White HouseWhite House
in the days following his assassination. in the days following his assassination.
Chester A. ArthurChester A. Arthur– Better president than Better president than
people expectedpeople expected– Distanced himself Distanced himself
from Stalwartsfrom Stalwarts– Supported a bill Supported a bill
reforming civil reforming civil serviceservice
– Approved the Approved the development of a development of a modern US navymodern US navy
– Began to question Began to question high protective tariffhigh protective tariff
– Was not renominated Was not renominated by the Republicans by the Republicans
Election of 1884Election of 1884 Republicans nominated Sen. James Republicans nominated Sen. James
Blaine (ME)Blaine (ME)– Responsible for reshaping the Republicans Responsible for reshaping the Republicans
from antislavery party to pro-business from antislavery party to pro-business partyparty
– Tainted by scandals Tainted by scandals Democrats nominated Grover Cleveland Democrats nominated Grover Cleveland
– Honest, conscientious, frugal, Honest, conscientious, frugal, uncompromisinguncompromising
– Mayor of Buffalo & governor of NYMayor of Buffalo & governor of NY Mugwumps campaigned & voted for Mugwumps campaigned & voted for
ClevelandCleveland
Election of 1884Election of 1884
Republicans Republicans exposed exposed Cleveland’s Cleveland’s illegitimate child & illegitimate child & labeled Democrats labeled Democrats the party of “Rum, the party of “Rum, Romanism, & Romanism, & Rebellion” Rebellion”
The mud-slinging began when a Buffalo The mud-slinging began when a Buffalo newspaper broke the story that Cleveland had an newspaper broke the story that Cleveland had an illegitimate son, then ten years old, from an affair illegitimate son, then ten years old, from an affair with a young widow named Maria Halpin. with a young widow named Maria Halpin. Republicans crowed, "Ma! Ma! Where's my Republicans crowed, "Ma! Ma! Where's my Pa?" [Refer to the Pa?" [Refer to the cartooncartoon, "Another vote for , "Another vote for Cleveland."] But instead of issuing a denial, Cleveland."] But instead of issuing a denial, Cleveland surprised both his allies and opponents Cleveland surprised both his allies and opponents alike with a frank admission of responsibility. He alike with a frank admission of responsibility. He instructed his campaign advisers: "Tell the instructed his campaign advisers: "Tell the truth." Yes, Cleveland (a bachelor) had been truth." Yes, Cleveland (a bachelor) had been involved with Maria Halpin (as had other men, involved with Maria Halpin (as had other men, apparently), and although he could not be sure apparently), and although he could not be sure the child was his, nonetheless he did "the the child was his, nonetheless he did "the honorable thing" and provided financial support. honorable thing" and provided financial support. This took much of the air out of the scandal. This took much of the air out of the scandal.
Catholics were Catholics were offended by the offended by the Republicans phrase Republicans phrase & many voted for & many voted for ClevelandCleveland
Cleveland first Cleveland first Democrat elected Democrat elected president since president since Buchanan in 1856 Buchanan in 1856
Grover ClevelandGrover Cleveland Believed in limited government Believed in limited government
(Jeffersonian)(Jeffersonian) Implemented new civil service Implemented new civil service
systemsystem Vetoed 100s of private pension bills Vetoed 100s of private pension bills
for false CW veteran claimsfor false CW veteran claims Signed Interstate Commerce Act Signed Interstate Commerce Act Signed Dawes Act Signed Dawes Act
1870s & 1880s 1870s & 1880s Issues:Issues:
civil service, currency, & civil service, currency, & tariffstariffs
Civil serviceCivil service
Demand for reform after Garfield’s Demand for reform after Garfield’s assassinationassassination
Pendleton Act (1881) set up the Civil Service Pendleton Act (1881) set up the Civil Service Commission & created a system in which Commission & created a system in which persons applying for classified federal jobs persons applying for classified federal jobs would be hired based on their scores on a would be hired based on their scores on a competitive examcompetitive exam– Law applied to 10% of federal jobs but has Law applied to 10% of federal jobs but has
expandedexpanded– Politicians became less dependent on party Politicians became less dependent on party
workers & more on the richworkers & more on the rich
CurrencyCurrency Debate over whether or not to expand Debate over whether or not to expand
the money supplythe money supply– Easy or soft-money advocatesEasy or soft-money advocates
Debtors, farmers, & new businesses wanted Debtors, farmers, & new businesses wanted more money in circulation so they couldmore money in circulation so they could
– Borrow money at lower interest ratesBorrow money at lower interest rates– Pay off their loans easier with inflated dollarsPay off their loans easier with inflated dollars
Many blamed the gold standard for causing Many blamed the gold standard for causing the Panic of 1873the Panic of 1873
Campaigned for more paper money Campaigned for more paper money (greenbacks) & for unlimited minting of silver (greenbacks) & for unlimited minting of silver coinscoins
– Sound or hard Sound or hard money advocatesmoney advocates Bankers, creditors, Bankers, creditors,
investors, & investors, & established established businesses wanted businesses wanted currency backed by currency backed by goldgold
Backed currency Backed currency would hold value would hold value against inflationagainst inflation
Greenback partyGreenback party
Civil War had been financed by issuing Civil War had been financed by issuing greenbacks (un-backed paper money)greenbacks (un-backed paper money)– Northern farmers associated greenbacks with Northern farmers associated greenbacks with
prosperity prosperity – Creditors & investors attacked it as violation of Creditors & investors attacked it as violation of
natural lawnatural law Specie Resumption Act (1875) withdrew Specie Resumption Act (1875) withdrew
the last of the greenbacks from circulationthe last of the greenbacks from circulation Supporters of paper money formed the Supporters of paper money formed the
Greenback partyGreenback party
Crime of 1873Crime of 1873
1873 Coinage Act stopped the coining of 1873 Coinage Act stopped the coining of silver silver
Critics called it the Crime of 1873Critics called it the Crime of 1873 Bland-Allison Act (1878)Bland-Allison Act (1878)
– Allowed a limited coinage of silver each mo. @ Allowed a limited coinage of silver each mo. @ the standard silver to gold ratio of 16 to 1the standard silver to gold ratio of 16 to 1
– Passed as a compromise bill after new silver Passed as a compromise bill after new silver discoveries in Nevada revived demands to discoveries in Nevada revived demands to increase money supplyincrease money supply
– Law passed over President Hayes’ veto.Law passed over President Hayes’ veto.
Tariff issueTariff issue Western farmers opposed to high, protective Western farmers opposed to high, protective
tarifftariff Eastern capitalists favored high, protective Eastern capitalists favored high, protective
tarifftariff Republican Congress passed protective tariff Republican Congress passed protective tariff
during CWduring CW After CW, southern Democrats objected to After CW, southern Democrats objected to
high tariffshigh tariffs Other nations retaliated by taxing US Other nations retaliated by taxing US
products—farmers were especially hurt losing products—farmers were especially hurt losing overseas markets overseas markets
Election of 1888Election of 1888
President Cleveland proposed that Congress President Cleveland proposed that Congress lower the tariff because there was a surpluslower the tariff because there was a surplus
Cleveland’s proposal became the first issue Cleveland’s proposal became the first issue between Dems & Reps in yearsbetween Dems & Reps in years
Democrats campaigned for Cleveland Democrats campaigned for Cleveland & a lower tariff& a lower tariff
Republicans for Benjamin Harrison Republicans for Benjamin Harrison (grandson of William Henry Harrison) (grandson of William Henry Harrison) & a high tariff& a high tariff– Played on fears of big business & labor Played on fears of big business & labor
to gain supportto gain support– Also attacked Cleveland’s vetoes of Also attacked Cleveland’s vetoes of
pensions to gain veterans’ votespensions to gain veterans’ votes Close electionClose election
– Harrison won electoral votes; Cleveland Harrison won electoral votes; Cleveland had majority of popular votehad majority of popular vote
Billion Dollar CongressBillion Dollar Congress Republican president & Reps controlled Republican president & Reps controlled
both houses of Congressboth houses of Congress Passed first billion-dollar budget in US Passed first billion-dollar budget in US
history & enacted:history & enacted:– McKinley TariffMcKinley Tariff (1890) raised tax on foreign (1890) raised tax on foreign
products over 48%products over 48%– Increases in monthly pensions to CW veterans, Increases in monthly pensions to CW veterans,
widows, & childrenwidows, & children– Sherman Antitrust ActSherman Antitrust Act (1890) outlawed (1890) outlawed
combinations in restraint of tradecombinations in restraint of trade– Sherman Silver Purchase ActSherman Silver Purchase Act (1890) increased (1890) increased
coinage of silver (not enough for farmers & coinage of silver (not enough for farmers & miners)miners)
1890s1890s Congressional elections of 1890 many Congressional elections of 1890 many
Republicans were replaced by DemocratsRepublicans were replaced by Democrats– Reaction against unpopular measures Reaction against unpopular measures
passedpassed Prohibition of alcoholProhibition of alcohol Sunday closing lawsSunday closing laws
– Midwestern non-Anglo & non-protestant Midwestern non-Anglo & non-protestant voters voters
Growing agrarian discontent Growing agrarian discontent – Farmers’ Alliances elected congressmen, Farmers’ Alliances elected congressmen,
governors, state repsgovernors, state reps
Farmers’ Alliances led to new party—Farmers’ Alliances led to new party—Populist or the People’s partyPopulist or the People’s party– Delegates met in Omaha, NE in 1892Delegates met in Omaha, NE in 1892– Omaha PlatformOmaha Platform
Restoration of government to the peopleRestoration of government to the people– Direct election of senatorsDirect election of senators– Initiatives & referendums in statesInitiatives & referendums in states
Unlimited coinage of silverUnlimited coinage of silver Graduated income taxGraduated income tax govt ownership of railroadsgovt ownership of railroads Govt ownership of telegraph & telephone Govt ownership of telegraph & telephone
systemssystems Loans & federal warehouses for farmers to Loans & federal warehouses for farmers to
stabilize crop pricesstabilize crop prices 8-hour workday for industrial workers8-hour workday for industrial workers
Election of 1892Election of 1892 Democrat Grover ClevelandDemocrat Grover Cleveland
– Won both popular & electoral votesWon both popular & electoral votes– Only former president to return to White HouseOnly former president to return to White House
Republican Benjamin HarrisonRepublican Benjamin Harrison Populist James BlainePopulist James Blaine
– Won more than 1 million votesWon more than 1 million votes– Won 22 electoral votes (significant for a 3Won 22 electoral votes (significant for a 3rdrd
party)party)– Populists did not do well in the SouthPopulists did not do well in the South
Southerners feared the uniting of poor whites & blacksSoutherners feared the uniting of poor whites & blacks– Blacks were kept from voting Blacks were kept from voting
– Failed to attract northern urban workers Failed to attract northern urban workers
Panic of 1893Panic of 1893 Stock market crashStock market crash
– Overspeculation & dozens of railroads Overspeculation & dozens of railroads went bankrupt due to overbuilding went bankrupt due to overbuilding
Depression lasted 4 yearsDepression lasted 4 years Many farm foreclosuresMany farm foreclosures 20% unemployment20% unemployment Cleveland took conservative approachCleveland took conservative approach
– Championed the gold standardChampioned the gold standard– Adopted hands-off policy to economy Adopted hands-off policy to economy
Gold reserve crisisGold reserve crisis Decline in silver price caused investors to Decline in silver price caused investors to
switch to goldswitch to gold Gold reserve fell dangerously lowGold reserve fell dangerously low President Cleveland repealed the Sherman President Cleveland repealed the Sherman
Silver Purchase ActSilver Purchase Act– It did not stop the drain on goldIt did not stop the drain on gold
Cleveland turned to J.P. Morgan & Cleveland turned to J.P. Morgan & borrowed $65 million gold borrowed $65 million gold – Many Americans saw this as proof that the Many Americans saw this as proof that the
government was a tool of the richgovernment was a tool of the rich Pullman strikePullman strike
– Workers were further disenchanted with Workers were further disenchanted with Cleveland when he used federal troops to Cleveland when he used federal troops to crush the Pullman strikecrush the Pullman strike
Wilson-Gorman Tariff, 1894Wilson-Gorman Tariff, 1894
Moderately Moderately reduced tariff ratesreduced tariff rates
Included a 2% Included a 2% income tax on income tax on incomes over incomes over $2000$2000– Supreme Court Supreme Court
declared income declared income tax unconstitutional tax unconstitutional within a yearwithin a year
Cleveland's humiliation by Gorman and the sugar trust; cartoon by W. A. Rogers
Coxey’s ArmyCoxey’s Army 1894 thousands of unemployed marched 1894 thousands of unemployed marched
on Washington on Washington Led by Populist Jacob A. Coxey of OhioLed by Populist Jacob A. Coxey of Ohio They demanded that the federal They demanded that the federal
government spend $500 million on public government spend $500 million on public works programs to create jobsworks programs to create jobs
Coxey & other leaders were arrested & the Coxey & other leaders were arrested & the “army” went home“army” went home
The march worried conservatives who The march worried conservatives who believe the depression was resulting in believe the depression was resulting in war between capitalists & laborwar between capitalists & labor
Coxey’s ArmyCoxey’s Army
Election of 1896Election of 1896
Democrats dividedDemocrats divided ““gold” Democrats gold” Democrats
loyal to Cleveland vs. loyal to Cleveland vs. Prosilver Democrats Prosilver Democrats
1896 Democratic 1896 Democratic conventionconvention William Jennings William Jennings
BryanBryan Cross of Gold speechCross of Gold speech Won nomination by Won nomination by
prosilver Demsprosilver Dems
Election of 1896Election of 1896 Democratic platformDemocratic platform
Favored unlimited Favored unlimited coinage of silver at 16 coinage of silver at 16 to 1 ratio to goldto 1 ratio to gold This was the main This was the main
issue for Populists who issue for Populists who decided to nominate decided to nominate Bryan also & run a Bryan also & run a duel campaignduel campaign
““Gold” Democrats Gold” Democrats defected the partydefected the party
William Jennings Bryan
Election of 1896Election of 1896 Republicans nominated William McKinley Republicans nominated William McKinley
of Ohioof Ohio Favored high protective tariffsFavored high protective tariffs & considered a friend of labor& considered a friend of labor
Republican platformRepublican platform Blamed Democrats for Panic of 1893Blamed Democrats for Panic of 1893 High tariff to protect industryHigh tariff to protect industry Gold standardGold standard
Election of 1896Election of 1896 Marcus Hanna Marcus Hanna
Rich businessman who secured McKinley’s Rich businessman who secured McKinley’s nomination nomination
Ran McKinley’s campaign by raising millions Ran McKinley’s campaign by raising millions of dollars & selling McKinley through the of dollars & selling McKinley through the mass mediamass media
Businessmen contributed fearing the silver Businessmen contributed fearing the silver movementmovement
McKinley stayed home & conducted a front-McKinley stayed home & conducted a front-porch campaignporch campaign
Election of 1896Election of 1896
Bryan campaigned nationwide by trainBryan campaigned nationwide by train 18,000 miles & over 600 speeches18,000 miles & over 600 speeches Appealed to farmers & debtorsAppealed to farmers & debtors
Bryan was hurt by Bryan was hurt by A rise in wheat pricesA rise in wheat prices Employers scaring workers that factories would Employers scaring workers that factories would
close if Bryan was electedclose if Bryan was elected
McKinley won the popular & electoral voteMcKinley won the popular & electoral vote
Significance of 1896 Significance of 1896 electionelection
Marked end to the stalemate & Marked end to the stalemate & stagnation of politics in the Gilded Agestagnation of politics in the Gilded Age
Beginning of Republican dominance of Beginning of Republican dominance of the presidency (7/9) & both houses of the presidency (7/9) & both houses of Congress (17/20) Congress (17/20)
Republicans were now the party of Republicans were now the party of business, industry, & strong national govtbusiness, industry, & strong national govt
Significance of 1896 Significance of 1896 electionelection
Populist party declined after 1896 Populist party declined after 1896 1896 was a victory for big business, 1896 was a victory for big business,
urban centers, conservative economics, urban centers, conservative economics, & moderate middle-class values& moderate middle-class values
William McKinley was first modern William McKinley was first modern presidentpresident
Mark Hanna created a new model for Mark Hanna created a new model for running political campaignsrunning political campaigns