The Gilded Age

American Politics during the late 1800s

Gilded AgeRefers to the era of the late 1800s where industrial growth led to private greed and political complacency.

Special interests influenced govt. while much of the population had no influence.

Lack of government oversight led to the development of alternate political parties, and eventually the Progressive movement of the early 1900s.

Excluding VotersNational Woman Suffrage Association sued for equal voting rights, but was denied in Minor v. Happersett in 1875.

In the South, black men were denied equal right to vote - through poll taxes and literacy tests.

Supreme Court allowed this to happen (U.S. v. Reese)

“New South”Post Reconstruction era is sometimes referred to as the “New South.”

A change from the plantation and slavery society, toward growing southern industry.

In reality politics was dominated by the same groups - black voters disenfranchised, and black citizens were unable to achieve economic equality.

Plessy v. Ferguson legalized segregation, and institutionalized a social system that would remain until the 1950s.

Party Politics Political Alliances were still dominated by the Civil War generation - divided by region and ethnicity.

1880 - Republican James Garfield

1884 - Democrat Grover Cleveland

Civil Service Reform# of federal jobs tripled by 1900, and complaints about corruption in appointment led to the Pendleton Civil Service Act (1882).

An early attempt at govt. regulating itself - led to greater change by the early 1900s.

Railroad RegulationRailroads helped the economy grow, but also could hurt individual producers.

In Munn v. IL (1877) the Supreme Court ruled that because railroads were a public interest, rates could be regulated, but the Wabash cases of (1886) changed the ruling.

Led to the ICC - nation’s first regulatory agency, actually had little power at first, but set the precedent of govt. regulation for the future.

Other Significant LegislationRepublicans and business leaders pushed higher tariffs to protect American industries - McKinley Tariff of 1890 raised already high rates.Sherman Anti Trust Act (1890) was the first govt. attempt to regulate big business - although was immediately neutered by the E.C. Knight Co decision (1895). Republicans also attempted a federal bill to protect voting rights for African Americans, but faced such stiff opposition from Democrats that it failed.Silver Issue - borrowers wanted the govt. to coin silver to increase the money supply and lower interest rates, lenders didn’t want that. Ultimately compromised on the Sherman Silver Purchase Act - where the govt. bought some silver to increase the money supply a limited amount.

Problems for FarmersIndustrial Age was hard on farmers because increased productivity led to lower prices. To compete farmers needed to focus on commercial growth, meaning they had to buy food, machinery, and pay rail rates.Overall from the 1880s through the early 1900s farmers earned less than they spent.

Grange Movement and Farmer’s Alliances

Grange Movement started in the 1860s as a social grouping for farmers, spread to political action.By 1890s rural activism focused on farmer’s alliances - community loyalty and lobbying for govt. assistance.Racial and sectional differences limited the effectiveness of the alliances - black v. white, pro-tariff v. anti-tariff.

Populist PartyIn 1890 the Kansas Alliance drew people together in a convention for the people - led to the development of the People’s or Populist Party in 1892.

Believed in turning around inequality, focused on transportation, land, and money - govt. ownership of railroads and to make money more available for farmers.

Won 8% of the vote in 1892

Depression of the 1890sPanic on the stock market in 1893 led to the collapse of several major companies.

Depression deepened and unemployment rate went to 20%

Major depression was a cause of major labor protest - Homestead Strike, Pullman Strike, and Coxey’s Army.

Election of 1896Election came boiled down to gold vs. silver standards.Free Silver - govt. would coin all silver brought to it, believed that if there was more money it would increase economic activity. While Republicans nominated William McKinley and stuck with a gold standard platform.Democrats rejected Pres. Cleveland and nominated William Jennings Bryan on a platform of free silver.

Election of 1896Election was essentially the end of the Populist Party.

McKinley ended up winning far more votes in cities, and in office the economy started to turn around.

Election of 1900 was a rematch that McKinley won, but was assassinated a couple months later.