NATIONAL POLITICS IN THE GILDED AGE, 1877-1900

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Politics in the Gilded Age “Gilded Age” –

Mark Twain Corruption and

patronage Weak presidents –

“Do-Littles” or “Do Nothings”

Turned blind eye towards cities

Belief in Limited Government

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

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

Party Patronage Main objectives:

Gain office Hold office Provide jobs to party

faithful Get reelected as

much as possible

Mugwumps

Stalwarts

Presidential Politics James A. Garfield

Republican Won Election of

1880 Running mate –

Chester A. Arthur Patronage – 100,000

jobs 1881 – Assassinated

Arthur becomes president

Presidential Politics

Chester A. Arthur Better than

expected Developed modern

Navy Questioned tariffs

Republicans went crazy!

Not reelected in 1884

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

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

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

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

Panic of 1893 Railroad overbuilding

– AGAIN!!!

Money not backed by strong currency

Worst depression in U.S. History

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

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

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 “Cross of Gold

Speech”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_of_Gold_speech

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