Chapter 18The Politics of Late-Nineteenth-
Century AmericaThe Great Political
Debate of the 1880’s?
?
?
I.
The Politics of the Status Quo, 1877-1893
I.
The National Scene
• The Passive Presidency – Most arduous task = dispensing spoils (govt. jobs)
• President Garfield – Assassinated by deranged office seeker – Pendleton Act (1883), 1st step toward civil service reform
I.A
The National Scene• Party Politics – President took back
seat to Congress and Congress did little
• Traditional contrast between parties was muddled
• Tariff big issue• Campaign Politics – equal balance,
politicians cautious not to offend
I.A
The National Scene• Sectional Politics – Reconstruction
abandoned, mudslinging and personal attacks, pomp and ceremony
• “Ma,Ma, where’s my paw?”
• 1884 - Democrats = Rum, Romanism and Rebellion
• Debate over what to do with surplus?????
I.A
The Ideology of Individualism
• Laissez-Faire – People support the government, but the government should not support the people
• Gospel of Wealth – Rags to Riches stories aplenty…Andrew Carnegie
• William Lawrence – protestant ethic
I.B
The Ideology of Individualism
• Social Darwinism – Herbert Spencer – human society evolved through competition and any interference with social progress is bad
I.B
The Supremacy of the Courts
• Courts become the defenders of private property (and big business)
• Corporations are now people! 14th Amendment protects people from being deprived of life liberty or property – used to restrain government regulations
• Manufacturing not interstate commerce and income tax unconstitutional
I.C
Cultural Politics
• Parades, conventions and political paraphernalia
• Party Loyalty – heresy for protestant Northerners to be Democrat or Southerners to be Republican.
II.A
Two-Party “Balance”Two-Party “Balance”Two-Party “Balance”Two-Party “Balance”II.AII.A
Well-Defined Voting Well-Defined Voting BlocsBlocs
Well-Defined Voting Well-Defined Voting BlocsBlocsDemocratic
BlocDemocratic
BlocRepublican
BlocRepublican
BlocWhite
southerners(preservation ofwhite supremacy)
Catholics
Recent immigrants
Urban working poor (pro-labor)
Most farmers
Northern whites(pro-business)
African Americans
Northern Protestants
Anti-immigrant
Most of the middle class
Western Farmers
II.AII.A
IssuesIssuesIssuesIssuesDemocraticBloc
DemocraticBloc
RepublicanBloc
RepublicanBloc
Low Tariff
Anti-Prohibition
Pro-immigrant
Increasing money Supply – inflation
Greenbacks/free coinage of silver
States Rights
High Tariff
Pro-voting rights
Anti-immigrant
Tight control on money supply – Gold backed dollar
Favor Blue Laws – legislating morality
II.AII.A
Organizational Politics
• “All politics is local”
• Both parties well organized structures
• Precinct and Ward – local• Precinct-Ward-County-State-National
• Precinct and Ward responsible for getting out the vote
II.B
Organizational Politics• Machine Politics – internal organization
of party made up of insiders working for party in exchange for public jobs or connections. Usually one man rule – Party Boss.
• Inner conflict not over policy, but spoils. ie. Republicans, Stalwarts vs. Half-Breeds
• Results not all bad
II.B
Organizational Politics• Mugwumps – Republican
defectors who wanted an end to machine politics – Elitist, not populist
• Influenced public debate regarding cleaning up political process – Secret (Australian Ballot)
II.B
Women’s Political Culture• Suffragists overcome division of
reconstruction
• Concentrate on state campaigns
• Women operated within their “sphere to fight for change – particularly prohibition (WCTU)
II.B
State Date BegunTerritory of Wyoming 1869Wyoming 1890Colorado 1893Utah 1896Idaho 1896Arizona 1912Washington 1910California 1911Kansas 1912Oregon 1912Territory of Alaska 1913Montana 1914Nevada 1914New York 1917Michigan 1918Oklahoma 1918South Dakota 1918
Race and Politics in the New South
II.C
Race and Politics in the New South
• Blacks remain staunch Republicans
• Voter intimidation and suppression common
• Democrats = Redeemers
• Class strife – Elite vs. hill-country farmers (Populist), hard not to see need for cooperation with blacks – Lukewarm at best
II.C
Race and Politics in the New South
• Black Disenfranchisement – Democrat leaders see alliance of poor white and Blacks as a threat
• “Reform” – Literacy Tests, Grandfather Clause exempted those who were entitled to vote BEFORE 15th Amendment
• Were still poll taxes/property requirements
II.C
Race and Politics in the New South
• Jim Crow – Brand of White Supremacy emerges–Segregation
–Supreme Court Upholds in Plessy v. Furguson = separate but equal
–Upholds disenfranchisement of blacks as long as race was not a specified criteria in Williams v. Mississippi
II.C
Race and Politics in the New South
• Public vilification of blacks commonplace
• Lynchings and race riots
• Causes–Younger generation of Blacks–Competition for jobs w/ poor whites–Populist threat to one party rule, elite power
brokers accept demagogue politicians
II.C
Race and Politics in the New South
• Grimes County Texas – Populist/Republican coalition holds on until 1900 – terrorism used to wrest control back to Democrats
II.C
• 1. How did Progressivism and organized interest groups reflect the new political choices of Americans?
• 2. What reforms did American women, Urbanites, and African Americans seek?
• 3. Evaluate and explain how and why President Roosevelt expanded the role of the Federal Government.
• How did President Wilson seek to accommodate his progressive principles to the realities of political power?
Resisting White Supremacy• Some resisters (often paid with life)• Ida B. Wells• Atlanta Compromise – Booker T.
Washington = “Accommodationist”• Tuskegee Institute – Promote
education, work property ownership = civil rights
II.C
The Crisis of American Politics• 1890’s Democrat victories seem
to usher in new Democrat age–McKinley Tariff -
–Prohibition Party – siphon Republican votes
• Panic of 1893 – profound political consequences –Unemployment over 20%
–Falling grain/cotton prices
II.D
The Populist Revolt• Farmers Alliances tap into anti-
monopoly, big business sentiment
• Became politicized and abandoned traditional Republican/Democrat alliances
• Local-State-National
• Peoples Party (Populist) crated 1892
II.D
The Populist Revolt• 1892 – James Weaver presidential
candidate
• 1,000,000,000 votes, 4 states
• Roots in Grange – Social clubs = women active (Mary Elizabeth Lease, “raise less corn and more hell…”
• Pitted themselves (producers, including labor)) against money power
II.D
To what extent did the Populist revolt reshape American politics?Do Now – Copy reading quiz questions for Wednesday.
1. How did Progressivism and organized interest groups reflect the new political choices of Americans?
2. What reforms did American women, Urbanites, and African Americans seek?
3. Evaluate and explain how and why President Roosevelt expanded the role of the Federal Government.
4. How did President Wilson seek to accommodate his progressive principles to the realities of political power?
The Populist Revolt• Ideology –
• Opposed Laissez-Faire
• 1892 Platform–Nationalization of Railroads
–Protection of land from monopolies
–Graduated Income Tax
–Subtreasury Plan
–Free Coinage of Silver
II.D
The Populist Revolt• Free Silver – Coinage of
Silver would increase the money supply (inflation) and secure funding for populist candidates from silver mining industry
• Double edged sword – Labor did not want inflationary cycle
II.D
Money and PoliticsII.D
•Money Policy – Always a contentious issueDebtors and commodity producers vs. “sound money” – creditors, fixed incomes
•Money Policy – Always a contentious issueDebtors and commodity producers vs. “sound money” – creditors, fixed incomes
Money and Politics• History – Before Civil War $ printed by
state chartered banks
• U.S. Banking Act of 1863 – Feds print greenbacks
• After war “sound money” interests lobby for specie – printed money to be backed by gold and silver in treasury
• Era of chronic deflation and tight credit
II.D
Money and Politics• History Continued….
• Silver becomes more valuable as a metal than money and silver coins disappear.
• 1873 silver dropped as currency
• Inflationists urge govt to resume bimetallic policy purchasing silver at a ratio of 16-1 with gold
• This would greatly increase $$ supply
II.D
Money and PoliticsII.D
Cleveland and Silver•Coxey’s Army•Pullman Strike •Tariff still high•Refuses to cave on Silver Issue•Negotiations with Wall Street reinforced image he was in cahoots with big business….
Cleveland and Silver•Coxey’s Army•Pullman Strike •Tariff still high•Refuses to cave on Silver Issue•Negotiations with Wall Street reinforced image he was in cahoots with big business….
Money and PoliticsII.D
•Election of 1896 – Dems abandon Cleveland, Nominate William Jennings Bryan – passionate advocate of “Free Silver”•“Cross of Gold” Speech
•Election of 1896 – Dems abandon Cleveland, Nominate William Jennings Bryan – passionate advocate of “Free Silver”•“Cross of Gold” Speech
Gold / Silver Bug Gold / Silver Bug Campaign PinsCampaign Pins
Gold / Silver Bug Gold / Silver Bug Campaign PinsCampaign Pins
William Jennings William Jennings Bryan Bryan
(1860-1925)(1860-1925)
William Jennings William Jennings Bryan Bryan
(1860-1925)(1860-1925)
The “Great The “Great Commoner”Commoner”
Bryant’sBryant’s“Cross of Gold” “Cross of Gold”
SpeechSpeech
Bryant’sBryant’s“Cross of Gold” “Cross of Gold”
SpeechSpeechYou shall not You shall not press down press down upon the brow upon the brow of labor this of labor this crown of crown of thorns; you thorns; you shall not shall not crucify crucify mankind upon mankind upon aa cross of goldcross of gold!!
Bryan: The Bryan: The Farmers FriendFarmers Friend(The Mint Ratio)(The Mint Ratio)
Bryan: The Bryan: The Farmers FriendFarmers Friend(The Mint Ratio)(The Mint Ratio)
18,000 miles of campaign “whistle 18,000 miles of campaign “whistle stops.”stops.”
Money and PoliticsII.D
•Populists also nominate WJB due to Silver Issue•Republicans nominate William McKinley – campaign orchestrated by Mark Hanna – massive money raising campaign
•“Revolutionary and Anarchistic”•Bryans religious fervor did not sit well with labor
•Populists also nominate WJB due to Silver Issue•Republicans nominate William McKinley – campaign orchestrated by Mark Hanna – massive money raising campaign
•“Revolutionary and Anarchistic”•Bryans religious fervor did not sit well with labor
1896 Election 1896 Election ResultsResults
1896 Election 1896 Election ResultsResults
Money and PoliticsII.D
•Republicans make electoral inroads into cities•McKinley wins…•Populism Dies, and with it liberal reform….for now!
•Republicans make electoral inroads into cities•McKinley wins…•Populism Dies, and with it liberal reform….for now!
Gold Triumphs Gold Triumphs Over SilverOver Silver
Gold Triumphs Gold Triumphs Over SilverOver Silver
1900 1900 GoldGoldStandard ActStandard Act
confirmed theconfirmed thenation’s nation’s commitment tocommitment tothe gold the gold standard.standard.
A victory for the A victory for the
forces offorces ofconservatism.conservatism.
The The Wizard Wizard of Ozof Oz by L. by L. Frank Frank BaumBaum
The The Wizard Wizard of Ozof Oz by L. by L. Frank Frank BaumBaum
1964: Henry 1964: Henry Littlefield’s Littlefield’s “Thesis”? “Thesis”?
1964: Henry 1964: Henry Littlefield’s Littlefield’s “Thesis”? “Thesis”?
• Mark Twain coined the phrase referring to the superficial glitter of the new wealth.
• It also refers to the politics of the era – all show with little substance (“era of forgettable Presidents”) characterized by patronage, corruption and graft
• Elections were so close, politicians avoided any controversial topics – victory hinged on getting out the vote (you supporters)
• Political rallies were less about issues and more about entertainment – brass bands, eloquent speeches, free beer and food, buttons, pins etc.
• Local and National politicians were more concerned about handing out patronage jobs than a legislative agenda
Local Politics
• Political Machines – A party linked political organization that maintained power by controlling votes, the courts and the police.
Political Machines
• As a result of the rapid growth of cities, businesses sought lucrative contracts to provide services (building roads, schools, sewers etc.)
• They handed out these lucrative contracts for kickbacks – making themselves rich
Political Machines• Power came from the “bottom
up”• They provided food to needy
families, organized free parties, and provided jobs and favors to local citizens
• When elections came around, people rewarded the machines with their vote
Boss Tweed
• Controlled New York City politics until cartoonist Thomas Nast exposed him
National Politics
• Also characterized by graft ––Political campaigns relied on
large numbers of volunteers
–The reward for volunteering was a well paying government job (spoils system)
A Two-Party A Two-Party StalemateStalemate
A Two-Party A Two-Party StalemateStalemate
Two-Party “Balance”Two-Party “Balance”Two-Party “Balance”Two-Party “Balance”
Well-Defined Voting Well-Defined Voting BlocsBlocs
Well-Defined Voting Well-Defined Voting BlocsBlocsDemocratic
BlocDemocratic
BlocRepublican
BlocRepublican
Bloc
White southerners(preservation ofwhite supremacy)
Catholics
Recent immigrants
Urban working poor (pro-labor)
Most farmers
Northern whites(pro-business)
African Americans
Northern Protestants
Anti-immigrant
Most of the middle class
Western Farmers
IssuesIssuesIssuesIssuesDemocratic
BlocDemocratic
BlocRepublican
BlocRepublican
Bloc
Low Tariff
Anti-Prohibition
Pro-immigrant
Increasing money Supply – inflation
Greenbacks/free coinage of silver
States Rights
High Tariff
Pro-voting rights
Anti-immigrant
Tight control on money supply – Gold backed dollar
Very Laissez Faire Very Laissez Faire Federal Govt.Federal Govt.
Very Laissez Faire Very Laissez Faire Federal Govt.Federal Govt. From 1870-1900 Govt. did
verylittle domestically.
Main duties of the federal govt.:
Deliver the mail.
Maintain a national military.
Collect taxes & tariffs.
Conduct a foreign policy.
Exception administer the annual Civil War veterans’ pension.
The Presidency as a The Presidency as a Symbolic OfficeSymbolic Office
The Presidency as a The Presidency as a Symbolic OfficeSymbolic OfficeParty bosses ruled.
Presidents should avoid offending any factions within their own party.
The President just doled out federal jobs. 1865 53,000 federal employees.1890 166,000 federal employees
1881: Garfield 1881: Garfield Assassinated!Assassinated!1881: Garfield 1881: Garfield Assassinated!Assassinated!
Charles Guiteau:I Am a Stalwart, and Arthur is President now!
Pendleton Act Pendleton Act (1883)(1883)
Pendleton Act Pendleton Act (1883)(1883)Civil Service Act.
The “Magna Carta” of civil service reform – blow to spoils system.
1883 14,000 out of 117,000 federal govt. jobs became civil service exam positions.
1900 100,000 out of 200,000 civil service federal govt. jobs.
Why did western farmers begin to abandon the Republican Party?
• Traditionally, they supported the Republican Party because Republicans favored using the federal governments power for internal improvements – Western railroads, roads, Homestead Act etc….
Problems…..• Many began to become concerned with
the problems of industrialization:– Growth of power of large corporations
–particularly RR’s, banks, steel etc– Growth of Monopolies– Plight of factory workers– Corruption of politics
• Particularly power of business over politicians
January, 1889
Changing Public Changing Public OpinionOpinion
Changing Public Changing Public OpinionOpinion
Government (Republican) Response
Interstate Commerce Act – 1887
Sherman Antitrust Act – 1890
These acts were loosely enforced (if enforced at all) – A Presidents justice department decides which laws to enforce (or not)
Panic of 1893
• One of worst financial crisis country faced (4 years)
• 20% unemployment, stock market crash, historic rates of farm foreclosures
• Run on Gold – reduces $ in circulation = deflation
• U.S. had a gold backed currency
What is money?• A medium of exchange!
• Worth it’s exchange value!
• Value is constantly changing!
• Value is based on it’s quality and quantity!
• Quality – who is issuing it/does it give you ownership of something.
• Quantity – how much is available.
• Deflation – When less $ is circulated, value goes up, prices go down
• Inflation – –When more $ is circulated,
value goes down, prices go up
Neither a borrower nor a lender be…
• Is inflation or deflation better for a borrower of money?
• Inflation – –Banks would prefer the value of
money increase–Many poor farmers blamed the
power of banks on the government for their ills.
Farmers Needs• Inflation – crop prices rise,
value of debt decreases (
• Removal of special interests on Politics (greater say in govt.)
• Govt. control over abusive Railroads and banks
Cleveland Loses Cleveland Loses Support Fast!Support Fast!
Cleveland Loses Cleveland Loses Support Fast!Support Fast! The only President to serve two
non-consecutive terms.
Blamed for the 1893 Panic.
Defended the gold standard.
Used federal troops in the 1894Pullman strike.
Refused to sign the Wilson-GormanTariff of 1894.
Repealed the Sherman Silver Purchase Act.
