Day 95: Political Paralysis in the Gilded AgeBaltimore Polytechnic Institute

January 29, 2014A/A.P. U.S. History

Mr. Green

Objectives: Describe the political corruption of the Grant administration and

the mostly unsuccessful efforts to reform politics in the Gilded Age.Describe the economic crisis of the 1870s, and explain the

growing conflict between hard-money and soft-money advocates.Explain the intense political partisanship of the Gilded Age,

despite the parties’ lack of ideological difference and poor quality of political leadership.

AP FocusThe post–Civil War era is rife with corruption, graft, and influence-

peddling. Corruption is rampant at the local and state levels as well. The infamous New York City political party machine, known as the Tweed Ring, for example, bilks the city and state out of millions of dollars.

In an attempt to clean their own house, the Republicans take steps to lower the protective tariff, which many consider unreasonably high and beneficial to specific industries. In addition, to address the problem of nepotism and favoritism in attaining government employment, the Republicans pass modest civil-service reform legislation, such as the Pendleton Act.

Political Paralysis in the Gilded Age

CHAPTER THEMESEven as post–Civil War America expanded and industrialized, political life in the Gilded Age was marked by ineptitude, stalemate, and corruption. Despite their similarity at the national level, the two parties competed fiercely for offices and spoils, while doling out “pork-barrel” benefits to veterans and other special interest groups.The serious issues of monetary and agrarian reform, labor, race, and economic fairness were largely swept under the rug by the political system, until revolting farmers and a major economic depression beginning in 1893 created a growing sense of crisis and demands for radical change.

Chapter Focus

Decades Chart 1870’s-Due Thursday5QQ on ThursdaElection Chart 1868, 1872, 1876, 1880-due

Monday

Announcements

Republicans-James G. BlaineDemocrats-Grover ClevelandSome Republicans left for the Democratic party

These individuals were known as MugwumpsHolier than thou-they had issues with the

morals of James G. Blaine (Mulligan letters)219 to 182 Electoral vote4,879,507 to 4,850,293Blaine blundered in NY(Cleveland won by 1000

votes) by not repudiating a preachers comments about Rum, Romanism and Rebellion (RRR)

The Blaine-Cleveland Mudslingers of 1884

1st Democrat in 24 yearsSupporter of laissez-faireVetoed a bill to provide seeds for drought-

ravaged Texas farmersVetoed many Civil War pension bills carefully

due to benefits to many that did not serve in the Civil War

“Old Grover” Takes Over

High tariffs remained after the Civil WarTreasury kept running surplusesCleveland proposed an appeal for lower tariffs in late

18871888 election loomedRepublicans nominated Benjamin HarrisonDemocrats nominated Grover ClevelandRepublicans went to big business for donations as a

result of the Pendleton Act-outlawed government workers from forced donations from their checks to political candidates

Cleveland won the popular vote, but lost the electoral vote, 233 to 168

Cleveland Battles for a Lower Tariff

1st congress to appropriate a billion dollars-1889Pensions to Civil War VetsGovernment purchased silverMcKinley Tariff Act of 1890-highest peacetime

rates ever-48.4%Forced farmers to buy high priced American goodsFarmers had to sell in an unprotected marketMcKinley even lost in the mid-terms of 1890 to angry rural voters

The Billion Dollar Congress

1892Populist Party formsPlatform:

1. inflation-unlimited coinage of silver2. graduated income tax3. state ownership of railroads, telegraph, and

telephone4. direct election of U.S. senators5. 1 term limit on President6. initiative and referendum7. Shorter work day8. immigration restriction

Nominated James B. Weaver for president in 1892

The Drumbeat of Discontent

Homestead Strike-1892Carnegies plant near PittsburghSteelworkers angry over pay cutsTroops broke the strike and the union

Populist party in 1892 gained 22 electoral votes and 1,029,846 popular votes

Blacks denied the vote in the South, and coupled with racial tones, the Populist Party did not fare well in the South.

Grandfather clauses used to exempt whites from taxes/literacy tests

Cleveland wins in 1892Depression of 1893-4 long years

soft money hurt the U.S. credit rating when European banks called in loans from the U.S.

William Jennings Bryan emerged as the soft money leader

Gold was flying out of the Treasury as people cashed in legal tender for silver it bought

Notes had to be reissuedCleveland turned to J.P. Morgan to lend the

government $65 million in gold

Cleveland and Depression

Wilson-Gorman Tariff in 1894loaded with special interest, it did not dent the McKinley Tariff rates

Cleveland pocket vetoed the bill with a 2% income tax on $4,000

Cleveland Breeds a Backlash

Continue Reading Chapter 23, begin chapter 24

Prepare for 10 question reading check on Chapter 24 on Friday

Homework