Politics of the 19th Century

Republican Party: Captured all of the presidencies except two from Lincoln to Wilson. Voter turnout averaged at 78%. People were into politics.

Who were the parties?Republicans: Northerners and African Americans; Protestant, Old Stock; Middle Class

Democrats: White Southerners; Catholics; Immigrants and the poor

This resulted in strong party loyalty, high voter participations and close elections

Politics of the 19th Century

Republican Party: Split into two different factions within the party.

Stalwarts: Led by Roscoe Conkling. Traditional, Professional, and relied on the Boss and the Machine.

Half Breeds: Led by James Blaine. They wanted to reform the party.

Election of 1880Republican James Garfield (Half Breed) ran with Chester Arthur (stalwart) as his Vice President. They won a decisive victory.

Issue I - Civil Service Reform: Garfield wanted to attack the corruption in politics by requiring that public officials demonstrate that they are qualified for their positions.

Politics of the 19th Century

Garfield Shot: On July 2, 1881 President Garfield was shot in a Washington Railroad Station. He stayed alive for three months but eventually died.

President Arthur: Arthur took over and tried to follow through with some of Garfield’s program, particularly Civil Service Reform.

Pendleton Act: Arthur passed this act, which required a civil service exam for all government employees.

Election of 1884Grover Cleveland wins this election, the only democrat during this period and the only president to serve two non-consecutively.

Issue II - Tariff: Cleveland wanted to broaden the market for American goods. Lowering the tariff would do just that.

Politics of the 19th CenturyElection of 1888

Tariff: This issue became a driving factor in the election. The House and the Senate could not agree. That stalemate led the way for Benjamin Harrison to beat Cleveland in the election.

Issue III - Trusts: The combination of businesses threatened the American economy. Harrison hoped to pass legislation that stopped monopolies.

Sherman Anti Trust Act: This prohibited the combination of corporations - outlawing monopolies. The goal was to promote competition among the smaller businesses.

Election of 1892Cleveland is re-elected and the Tariff is reduced. This opens up foreign markets to American goods, and plays a role in the 20th Century American Foreign Policy.

America Moves to the CityCh 26 p. 565-570

The Urban FrontierThe City: In the wake of the civil war America’s cities had a growth period like none other in its history. A New Culture developed that attracted many to these new metropolises.

Sky Scrapers: With the production of steel, the skyline was literally transformed, creating a new feel to the city. These new buildings also made room for more people as they moved into the city for various reasons.

Why Move to the City?Consumerism: The city started a wave of consumerism based around the

department stores and other opportunities to buy new things. Macy’s and Marshall Fields are two examples of this new culture

Jobs: The ailing farmer was able to find work in the new factories that took hold in the city. Industrialization had far reaching effects on the economy and society.

America Moves to the CityCh 26 p. 565-570

Urban CultureTenement Housing: In order to get as many people in the city as possible

architects designed new housing that could fit many people in small spaces. The “Dumbbell Tenement is a great example of that (see page 568).

Disease: Because of the overcrowding disease was rampant and spread throughout neighborhoods, creating an unwanted aspect of this new city life.

How did the city grow so quick?Migration: The beginning of the “great migration” had many African Americans

looking to escape Jim Crow laws in the south and failed farmers moving into the city.

Immigration: Immigrants moved into the city from Southern and Eastern Europe. This move had many ramifications to the landscape of the city

America Moves to the CityCh 26 p. 570, 574-575

Ethnic CityNew Americans: This Second Wave of Immigrants came from Italy, Poland, and

Russia among other countries. They created small cultural centers in the city to represent their country (ie. Little Italy).

Reasons for coming: Many of them came to America for new opportunities and jobs that were not available in their country. They truly believed that the streets were lined with Gold.

American Reaction

Nativism: Americans believed that the nation was not a place for all these foreigners. There were leagues and organizations devoted to rooting out the immigrants in America. The KKK would also shift their philosophy to include immigrants. Natvism had its roots in the First Wave of immigration in the 1840s with the Germans and the Irish.

America Moves to the CityCh 26 p. 574-575 Progressive Movement

The growing nation brought new problems. Progressives looked to help immigrants, battle big business and expose the ills of society

Hull House: To help with the transition to American life, Jane Addams set up settlement houses. This movement was a part of the progressive era in American history that involved a large group of middle class Americans who were devoted to helping others and changing America for the better.

The Social Gospel: In addition to Addams there was a strong movement to help immigrants by using religion as a motivator. The social gospel was a part of several organizations that included the salvation army and others.

Boss and the Machine: Not all the people were trying to help immigrants. Corrupt politicians looked to capitalize on them for votes, keeping them in power. William Tweed is an example of such politicians.

Muckrakers: Were crusading journalists who wanted to expose the issues in society. Lincoln Steffens and Thomas Nast were two of these people who wrote about the issue sin America. Ida Tarbell took on big business, especially Standard Oil.

Thomas Nast and the Corrupt City

• What is Mr. Nast trying to say about William Tweed of Tammany Hall in this picture?

• How does it assist in understanding corruption in the city?

Nast Cartoons

• What do you think this cartoon is saying?

• Why is it important how Nast says this?

• Why was the vote so important in the city?

Nast Cartoons

• What is the matter?

• What does Tweed Look like?

• Do you think that these pictures made a difference?

Nast Cartoons

• What does this cartoon say about Tweed?

• How does the top and the bottom compare?

American LiteratureCh 26 p. 586-588

Literary Landmarks

Mark Twain: Considered by many as the greatest American writer. Author of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Twain was a new type of author that many tried to emulate

Stephen Crane: Most known for Red Badge of Courage, Crane also wrote about urban life and the factories.

Jack London: Was a nature writer of books with Call of the Wild and others like it.

Emily Dickinson: This poet came to be known in the late 19th century. Her poems are considered by many the greatest in American literature.

Theodore Dreiser: Sister Carrie displayed the new American city and culture in America.

Progressivism: Civil RightsCh 26 p. 580-581

Civil Rights

Booker T. Washington: Believed that African Americans should be happy that they were no longer slaves. He argued for immediate self improvement for all African Americans. His famous “Atlanta Compromise” stated that African Americans should integrate themselves into white society.

W.E.B. Dubois: Accused Washington if supporting segregation. He argued that education and legislation would lead equality. He wanted all African Americans to get a full university education. He was also one of the founders of the NAACP

Progressive Presidencies: There were two presidents who led progressive administrations - Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson.

The Rise of ProgressivismCh 26 p. 588-592

Women Suffrage

Professional Woman: Women were getting involved in Teaching and Nursing for the first time in U.S. History. They started a movement toward women’s suffrage.

Elizabeth Cady Stanton: Believed that women were the “arbiter of her own destiny” and deserved the same rights as men. She was one of many to lead the movement.

National American Women Suffrage Association (NAWSA): Anna Howard Shaw and Carrie Chapman Catt brought membership to 2 million in 1917. The movement was noticed and the 19th Amendment passed - guaranteeing women’s suffrage.

Temperance Movement

Alcohol was seen as the root of all domestic problems, called a “sinister trust.” This movement was primarily run by women.

Women’s Christian Temperance. Union and the Anti Saloon League pushed for a bill to ban alcohol. The result was the 18th Amendment, which led to prohibition