A Two-Party Stalemate Close elections Little difference between parties on major issues: tariffs,...

A Two-Party A Two-Party StalemateStalemate

A Two-Party A Two-Party StalemateStalemateClose elections

Little difference between parties on major issues: tariffs, currency,

civil service reform

The cultural, ideological and

geographic differences, NOT

differences on the issues, explain the

intense party loyalty of the time.

Intense Intense Voter Voter

Loyalty Loyalty to theto the

Two MajorTwo MajorPolitical Political PartiesParties

Intense Intense Voter Voter

Loyalty Loyalty to theto the

Two MajorTwo MajorPolitical Political PartiesPartiesResults in very high voter turnout!

Well-Defined Voting Well-Defined Voting BlocsBlocs

Well-Defined Voting Well-Defined Voting BlocsBlocs

DemocraticBloc

DemocraticBloc

RepublicanBloc

RepublicanBloc

White southerners (preservation of white supremacy)

Catholics

Recent immigrants (esp. Jews)

Urban working poor (pro-labor)

Most farmers

Northern whites(pro-business)

African Americans

Northern Protestants

Native-born WASPs (support for anti-immigrant laws)

Most of the middleclass

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’ pensions.

Presidents were merely “caretakers.”

And in the cities……And in the cities……Political Machines rule!!Political Machines rule!!

And in the cities……And in the cities……Political Machines rule!!Political Machines rule!!

Can the Law Reach Him?

THOMAS NAST

Political Cartoonist:

ReconstructionThe Gilded Age

Most important forum:Harper’s Weekly

Over 2,200 cartoons1859 – 1896

• Gives us our version of Santa Claus and habit of writing letters to Santa

• Also designs party symbols for Democrats and Republicans

• Also gives us the version of Uncle Sam that we recognize today

• Myth that term “nasty” is derived from his name

Thomas NastThe Brains1871

Thomas NastIn CountingThere is Strength

WHO STOLE THE PEOPLE’S MONEY? ‘TWAS HIM

Thomas Nast“A Group of VulturesWaiting for the Storm to BlowOver -Let us Prey”

The cartoon

that finally brought

him down.

The Presidency in the The Presidency in the Gilded Age is a Symbolic Gilded Age is a Symbolic

OfficeOffice

The Presidency in the The Presidency in the Gilded Age is a Symbolic Gilded Age is a Symbolic

OfficeOffice Party bosses ruled.

Presidents sought to avoid offending anyfactions within theirown party.

The President justdoled out federal jobs. Senator Roscoe Conkling

PATRONAGE!! Just another name for ….?

1865 53,000 people worked for the federal govt.

1890 166,000 “ “ “ “ “ “

1880 Presidential 1880 Presidential Election: RepublicansElection: Republicans

1880 Presidential 1880 Presidential Election: RepublicansElection: Republicans

Half BreedsHalf Breeds StalwartsStalwarts

Sen. James G. Blaine Sen. Roscoe Conkling (Maine) (New York)

James A. Garfield

Half-breed

compromise

Chester Arthur (VP)

Stalwart

Want to reform Defended use of Spoils System Spoils System

R Platform: FOR protective tariff & FOR some civil service reform

(Democrats oppose protective tariff)

1880 1880 Presidential Presidential

ElectionElection


ElectionElection

Close election, fewer than 40,000 votes elect Garfield.Close election, fewer than 40,000 votes elect Garfield.

1881: Garfield 1881: Garfield Assassinated!Assassinated!1881: Garfield 1881: Garfield Assassinated!Assassinated!

Charles Guiteau:I am a Stalwart, and Arthur is President now! Hanged for murder

Pendleton Act Pendleton Act (1883)(1883)

Pendleton Act Pendleton Act (1883)(1883)Garfield’s death

shocked politicians into civil service reform that Garfield supported.

Pendleton Act establishes a merit system for obtaining a federal job (rather than jobs being passed out to supporters regardless of their abilities)

Republican Republican “Mugwumps”“Mugwumps”

Republican Republican “Mugwumps”“Mugwumps” Republican reformers who would NOT re-

nominate Chester A. Arthur – support D Cleveland instead (don’t like corruption associated with Blaine)

Reform to them create a disinterested, impartial govt. run by an educated elite like themselves.

Social Darwinists.

Laissez faire government to them:

Favoritism & the spoils system are NOT laissez-faire but seen as govt. intervention in society.

Their target was political corruption, not social or economic reform!

1884 Presidential 1884 Presidential ElectionElection


Grover Cleveland James Blaine * (DEM) (REP)

Personalities & Mudslinging, not Issues

A Dirty A Dirty CampaignCampaign

A Dirty A Dirty CampaignCampaign

Ma, Ma…where’s my pa?He’s going to the White House, ha… ha… ha…!

Little Lost Little Lost MugwumpMugwumpLittle Lost Little Lost MugwumpMugwump

1884Blaine as Little Bo Peep trying to woo back the Republican Mugwumps

The Mugwumps will shift the tide & cause the Democrat, Cleveland, to win the 1884 election.


ElectionElection


ElectionElection

Narrow victory for Cleveland [Mugwumps!].

Cleveland’s First TermCleveland’s First TermA Public Office is a Public Trust!A Public Office is a Public Trust!

Cleveland’s First TermCleveland’s First TermA Public Office is a Public Trust!A Public Office is a Public Trust!

The “Veto Governor” from New York.

His laissez-faire presidency:

Opposed bills to assist the poor aswell as the rich – not fed. gov’ts job.

Vetoed over 200 special pension bills for Civil War veterans!

For deserters, bounty jumpers, etc.

BUT, in civil service reform…deserted the Mugwumps’ call & appointed LOTS of “deserving Democrats” to office

The Tariff IssueThe Tariff IssueThe Tariff IssueThe Tariff Issue After the Civil War,

Congress raised tariffs to protect new US industries.

Big business wanted to continue this; not consumers

1885 tariffs earned the US $100 mil. in surplus! (embarrassing to fiscal conservative Cleveland)

Cleveland’s view on tariffs: LOWER THEM – would lower prices, get rid of surplus, prevent monopolies,



Grover Cleveland Benjamin Harrison (DEM) * (REP)

A real issue in this election!! – TARIFFS.

Over 10 million pamphlets circulated on tariffs!

Coming Out for Coming Out for HarrisonHarrison

Coming Out for Coming Out for HarrisonHarrison


ElectionElection


ElectionElection

Cleveland wins popular vote, but loses the Presidency.

Disposing of the Disposing of the SurplusSurplus

Disposing of the Disposing of the SurplusSurplus

• The “Billion Dollar Congress” spends it!

• Pension Act of 1890:Pensions showered on Civil War Veterans

Changing Public Opinion Changing Public Opinion in the Cleveland & in the Cleveland &

Harrison YearsHarrison Years

Changing Public Opinion Changing Public Opinion in the Cleveland & in the Cleveland &

Harrison YearsHarrison Years Americans wanted the federal govt. to deal with growing social & economic problems & to curb the power of the trusts:

Interstate Commerce Act – 1887 (Cleveland)

Sherman Antitrust Act – 1890 (Harrison)

McKinley Tariff – 1890 (Harrison) Based on the theory that prosperity flowed

directly from protectionism.

Rates go up (48%) – highest in peacetime history!

Rep. Party suffered big losses in 1890 (even McKinley lost House seat!).



Grover Cleveland Benjamin Harrison again! * (DEM) (REP)



Republicans discredited, Populists divided over race issue.Cleveland wins – only P to serve two non-consecutive terms.

Same old Cleveland….but NOT the same country:•Debtors are up in arms•Workers are restless

Cleveland Loses Support Cleveland Loses Support Fast!Fast!

Cleveland Loses Support Cleveland Loses Support Fast!Fast! Blamed for the 1893 Panic (overbuilding,

speculation, labor disorders – Homestead/Pullman, agricultural depression).

Lasts 4 years – worst in 19th century

8,000 businesses collapse in 6 mos.; 12 RRs bankrupt

Handling of Coxey’s Army in 1894 – what happened?

Used federal troops to end the 1894Pullman strike.

The Wilson-Gorman Tariff of 1894 (allowed it to pass w/o his signature-tariff not lowered).

Defended the gold standard.

Repealed the Sherman Silver Purchase Act.

ENTER William McKinley!

The depression and the tariff debacle will oust the Democrats in congressional elections of 1894 and Presidential election of 1896.

Price Indexes for Price Indexes for Consumer & Farm Consumer & Farm Products: 1865-Products: 1865-

19131913

Price Indexes for Price Indexes for Consumer & Farm Consumer & Farm Products: 1865-Products: 1865-

19131913

The Grange The Grange MovementMovementThe Grange The Grange MovementMovement First organized in the 1870s in the First organized in the 1870s in the

Midwest, the South, and Texas.Midwest, the South, and Texas.

Set up cooperative associations (stores, Set up cooperative associations (stores, grain elevators, grain warehouses).grain elevators, grain warehouses).

Social and educational components too – Social and educational components too – picnics, concerts, lectures, etc.picnics, concerts, lectures, etc.

Succeeded in lobbying for state Succeeded in lobbying for state “Granger “Granger Laws”Laws” to regulate RR rates & storage to regulate RR rates & storage fees (fees (Munn v. IllinoisMunn v. Illinois))

Wabash v. IllinoisWabash v. Illinois (1886) overruled (1886) overruled statestate regulation of RR – why?regulation of RR – why?

Rapidly declined after Rapidly declined after WabashWabash..

The Farmers The Farmers AlliancesAlliances

The Farmers The Farmers AlliancesAlliancesØ Begun in the late 1870s (Texas first – the

Southern Alliance; then in the Midwest—the Northern Alliance).

ØMore political and less social than the Grange.

Ø Elected to state legislatures & Congress.

Ø In 1889 Northern & Southern Alliancesmerged into one—the Farmers’ Alliance.

ØWill eventually seek alliance with industrial workers - labor unions of North – won’t work.

ØFarmers’ Alliance excluded blacks & ignored issues of tenant farmers & share- croppers – weakened it

The Populist The Populist (Peoples’) Party(Peoples’) Party

The Populist The Populist (Peoples’) Party(Peoples’) PartyØ By early 1890s, Farmers’ Alliance has

produced the Peoples’ Party – a political coalition of farmers from the W & the S.

Ø Goals:Goals:

Ø More political power to the people (through More political power to the people (through political reform, lowering tariff)political reform, lowering tariff)

Ø Government intervention to aid struggling farmers Government intervention to aid struggling farmers – at the mercy of industrialists, banks & interest – at the mercy of industrialists, banks & interest rates.rates.

Ø Attacked Wall Street and the “Money Trust”Attacked Wall Street and the “Money Trust”

Ø Early champion: Early champion: Mary Elizabeth Lease of KS

Ø ““Kansans should raise less corn and raise Kansans should raise less corn and raise more hell!”more hell!”

The Populist The Populist (Peoples’) (Peoples’)

PartyParty

The Populist The Populist (Peoples’) (Peoples’)

PartyPartyØ Founded by James B. Founded by James B. WeaverWeaverand Tom Watson.and Tom Watson.

Ø Omaha Convention Omaha Convention in in July,July,1892 - NE.1892 - NE.

Ø Got almost 1 million Got almost 1 million popularpopularvotes in ’92 election.votes in ’92 election.

James B. Weaver, James B. Weaver, Presidential Presidential CandidateCandidate

Omaha Platform of Omaha Platform of 18921892

Omaha Platform of Omaha Platform of 189218921.1. System of System of “sub-treasuries.”“sub-treasuries.”

2.2. Free silver (unlimited coinage of Free silver (unlimited coinage of silver).silver).

3.3. Graduated income tax.Graduated income tax.

4.4. Direct election of Senators.Direct election of Senators.

5.5. Australian secret ballot.Australian secret ballot.

6.6. Govt. ownership of RRs, telephone & Govt. ownership of RRs, telephone & telegraph companies.telegraph companies.

7.7. Restriction of undesirable immigration.Restriction of undesirable immigration.

8.8. 8-hour work day for government 8-hour work day for government employees.employees.

9.9. Abolition of the Pinkerton detective Abolition of the Pinkerton detective agency.agency.

10.10. Abolition of the National Bank.Abolition of the National Bank.

11.11. A single term for President & Vice A single term for President & Vice President.President.

Govt.-Owned Govt.-Owned CompaniesCompanies

Govt.-Owned Govt.-Owned CompaniesCompanies

1892 Election1892 Election1892 Election1892 Election

Cleveland again – only President to ever serve two non-consecutive terms.Same old Cleveland, but different nation – debtors up in arms!

Bi-Metallism Bi-Metallism IssueIssue

Bi-Metallism Bi-Metallism IssueIssue

Major Problems in Cleveland’s Second Term:

First large-scale depression in the new industrial economy. Began 10 Began 10 days after Cleveland took office.days after Cleveland took office.

Causes of the 1893 Causes of the 1893 PanicPanic

Causes of the 1893 Causes of the 1893 PanicPanic

Ø Primarily caused by the decline in RR Primarily caused by the decline in RR construction, but Cleveland blamed the construction, but Cleveland blamed the Sherman Silver Purchase ActSherman Silver Purchase Act

Ø Several major corporations went bankrupt.Several major corporations went bankrupt.

Over 16,000 businesses disappeared.Over 16,000 businesses disappeared.

Triggered a stock market crash.Triggered a stock market crash.

Ø Bank failures followed causing a contraction Bank failures followed causing a contraction of credit [nearly 500 banks closed].of credit [nearly 500 banks closed].

Ø By 1895, unemployment reached 3 million.By 1895, unemployment reached 3 million.

Ø Ongoing agricultural depression.Ongoing agricultural depression.

Ø Americans cried out for relief, but the Americans cried out for relief, but the Federal Gov’t.Federal Gov’t.continued its continued its laissez faire policieslaissez faire policies!!!!

Panic Panic Spreads!Spreads!

Panic Panic Spreads!Spreads!

How is it “resolved” by Cleveland?How is it “resolved” by Cleveland?Gets J.P. Morgan to loan gov’t $65 million in gold….Gets J.P. Morgan to loan gov’t $65 million in gold….

for which he charged a commission of 7 million!for which he charged a commission of 7 million!

Here Lies Here Lies ProsperityProsperityHere Lies Here Lies ProsperityProsperity

Populist argument that farmers & laborers alike are being victimized is strengthened.

2. Coxey’s Army, 2. Coxey’s Army, 18941894

2. Coxey’s Army, 2. Coxey’s Army, 18941894

Ø Jacob Coxey & his “Army of Jacob Coxey & his “Army of the Commonweal of Christ” (500, not the Commonweal of Christ” (500, not 100,000)100,000)

Ø March on Washington - “hayseed March on Washington - “hayseed socialists!”socialists!”

Ø Cleveland doesn’t handle the problem Cleveland doesn’t handle the problem well……well……

3. Pullman Strike, 3. Pullman Strike, 18941894

Cleveland gets federal injunction – based on interference with the mail.

Uses federal troops to put down the strike.

Eugene Debs arrested & jailed-6 mos. for contempt.

As with Coxey’s Army, does not seem that government (Cleveland) is sympathetic to plight of the people

4. Ultra-conservative 4. Ultra-conservative Supreme Court DecisionsSupreme Court Decisions

U.S. vs. E.C. Knight caseCt. refused to break up sugar

trust using Sherman Antitrust Act – argued that Act applies ONLY to commerce, not manufacturing

U.S. vs. Debs caseDebs denied writ of habeus corpusJailed for 6 mos. / comes out a

socialist

5. Silver 5. Silver IssueIssue

“Crime of ’73” demonetization of silver (govt. stopped coining silver); cries for “free silver.”

Bland-Allison Act (1878) is the compromise: limited silver coinage to $2-$4 mil. per mo. (based on the 16:1 ratio of silver to gold); ineffective since gov’t always purchased minimum amount.

Sherman Silver Purchase Act (1890)– Next compromise attempt: The U.S. Treasury

must purchase $4.5 mil. oz. of silver a month. (gold in treasury being depleted – why?)

– Cleveland forces repeal in 1893– U.S. has worst depression in its history

•Gov’t bailed out in 1895 by J.P. Morgan’s gold loan!

– S & W wings of Democratic party desert Cleveland

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 Commoner” – 36 The “Great Commoner” – 36 years oldyears old

DEMOCRAT

POPULIST

William Jennings BryanWilliam Jennings BryanWilliam Jennings BryanWilliam Jennings BryanPrairie avenger, Prairie avenger, mountain lion, mountain lion,Bryan, Bryan, Bryan, Bryan, Bryan, Bryan, Bryan, Bryan,Gigantic Gigantic troubadour, troubadour, speaking like a speaking like a siege siege gun, gun,Smashing Smashing Plymouth Rock Plymouth Rock with his with his bouldersboulders from the West. from the West.

Ø Revivalist style of oratory.

Ø “A great voice rather than a great brain.”

Bryan’sBryan’s“Cross of Gold” “Cross of Gold”

SpeechSpeech

Bryan’sBryan’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 a a cross of goldcross of gold!!

Bryan: The Farmer’s Bryan: The Farmer’s FriendFriend

(The Mint Ratio)(The Mint Ratio)

Bryan: The Farmer’s Bryan: The Farmer’s FriendFriend

(The Mint Ratio)(The Mint Ratio)

18,000 miles of campaign “whistle 18,000 miles of campaign “whistle stops” – 600 speeches!stops” – 600 speeches!

DemocratDemocratic Party ic Party Taken Taken

Over by Over by the the

Agrarian Agrarian LeftLeft

DemocratDemocratic Party ic Party Taken Taken

Over by Over by the the

Agrarian Agrarian LeftLeft

Platform : free silver; tariff reductions; income tax; stricter control of the trusts (esp. RRs).

Note: Eastern laborers won’t support them & will vote to protect their jobs…..

Mark Hanna: Mark Hanna: The “Front-Porch” The “Front-Porch”

CampaignCampaign

Mark Hanna: Mark Hanna: The “Front-Porch” The “Front-Porch”

CampaignCampaign

William McKinley (1843-William McKinley (1843-1901)1901)

William McKinley (1843-William McKinley (1843-1901)1901)

REPUBLICANOhio

Former Civil War major & in Congress many years Focus on Cleveland’s Democratic Panic Promises “Full Dinner“Full Dinner Pail”Pail” Praises protective tariff MASSIVE dissemination of literature

Mark Hanna to Mark Hanna to Candidate Candidate

McKinley McKinley

Mark Hanna to Mark Hanna to Candidate Candidate

McKinley McKinley

Highly organized,extremely well-funded campaignthat capitalizeson economicfears.

Raised $16 million to fund this campaign!

““A Giant Straddle”: A Giant Straddle”: Suggestion for a Suggestion for a McKinley Political McKinley Political

PosterPoster

““A Giant Straddle”: A Giant Straddle”: Suggestion for a Suggestion for a McKinley Political McKinley Political

PosterPoster

The The Seasoned Seasoned PoliticianPolitician

vs.vs.

The The “Young” “Young” NewcomeNewcome

rr

The The Seasoned Seasoned PoliticianPolitician

vs.vs.

The The “Young” “Young” NewcomeNewcome

rr

Into Into Which Which

Box Will Box Will the the

VoterVoterof ’96 of ’96 Place Place His His

Ballot? Ballot?

Into Into Which Which

Box Will Box Will the the

VoterVoterof ’96 of ’96 Place Place His His

Ballot? Ballot?

1896 Election 1896 Election ResultsResults

1896 Election 1896 Election ResultsResults

Significance of the Significance of the 1896 Election1896 Election

Significance of the Significance of the 1896 Election1896 Election

MARKS THE FAILURE OF THE MARKS THE FAILURE OF THE POPULIST PARTYPOPULIST PARTY

Turning point in politics! Turning point in politics! The The future of politics in cities, not future of politics in cities, not agrarian votes.agrarian votes.

Victory for big business, big Victory for big business, big cities, middle class values & cities, middle class values & financial conservatism.financial conservatism.

Republicans take White House Republicans take White House for all but 8 of the next 36 for all but 8 of the next 36 years!years!

The Next The Next President President of the U. S.of the U. S.

The Next The Next President President of the U. S.of the U. S.

• McKinley will be cautious and conservative

• Will give business free rein ; no regulation of trusts

• Tariff (Dingley) will be high (46.5%)

Gold Triumphs Over Gold Triumphs Over SilverSilver

Gold Triumphs Over Gold Triumphs Over SilverSilver

Ø 1900 - 1900 - Gold Standard Gold Standard ActAct

Ø Confirmed the nation’s Confirmed the nation’s commitment to the gold commitment to the gold standard.standard.

Ø Paper currency could Paper currency could be freely redeemed in be freely redeemed in goldgold

Ø New gold discoveries in New gold discoveries in AK & S.Africa will finally AK & S.Africa will finally stop deflationstop deflation

Ø A victory for the forces A victory for the forces ofofconservatism.conservatism.

Why Did Populism Why Did Populism Decline?Decline?


1.1. The economy experienced rapid The economy experienced rapid change.change.

2.2. The era of small producers and The era of small producers and farmers was fading away.farmers was fading away.

3.3. Race divided the Populist PartyRace divided the Populist Party, , especially in the South.especially in the South.

4.4. The Populists were not able to The Populists were not able to breakbreakexisting party loyalties; most of existing party loyalties; most of their agenda was co-opted by the their agenda was co-opted by the Democrats.Democrats.



5.5. Failure of farmers and industrial Failure of farmers and industrial workers of the Northeast to unite.workers of the Northeast to unite.

6.6. Gold strike in AK in 1898 – Gold strike in AK in 1898 – increased $ supply (& farmers’ increased $ supply (& farmers’ access to credit).access to credit).

7.7. Crop failures in Europe by 1900 – Crop failures in Europe by 1900 – led to increase in grain exports.led to increase in grain exports.

8.8. Immigration in massive numbers Immigration in massive numbers to urban areas – more markets & to urban areas – more markets & higher prices for agrarian higher prices for agrarian products.products.

But, Populism Still But, Populism Still Lives!Lives!

But, Populism Still But, Populism Still Lives!Lives!

Al Gore in 2000Al Gore in 2000

Populist Goals thatPopulist Goals thatSurvived:Survived:

• 16th Amendment – income tax

• 17th Amendment – direct election of Senators

• Secret ballot• Direct primary

elections

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?

A Two-Party Stalemate Close elections Little difference between parties on major issues: tariffs,...

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