Gilded AgeGilded Age

Gilded AgeGilded Age

Coined by Mark Twain in 1873Coined by Mark Twain in 1873 Referred to the superficial glitter of Referred to the superficial glitter of

the new wealththe new wealth Very little was accomplished Very little was accomplished

politically politically – Era of “forgettable presidents”Era of “forgettable presidents”

None served more than 1 termNone served more than 1 term

– The 2 major political parties avoided The 2 major political parties avoided issuesissues

Political stalematePolitical stalemate

Due toDue to– Prevailing political ideologyPrevailing political ideology

Limited governmentLimited government– Laissez-faire economicsLaissez-faire economics– Social DarwinismSocial Darwinism

– Campaign tactics of the 2 partiesCampaign tactics of the 2 parties Caused by the closeness of electionsCaused by the closeness of elections Wanted to get out the vote w/o alienating Wanted to get out the vote w/o alienating

voters voters – Brass bands, buttons, flags, picnics, free beer, etc.Brass bands, buttons, flags, picnics, free beer, etc.

Voter turnout was as high as 80%Voter turnout was as high as 80%

Political StalematePolitical Stalemate

RepublicansRepublicans– Waved the “bloody shirt” in every campaignWaved the “bloody shirt” in every campaign

Blamed Dems for the CW & Lincoln’s deathBlamed Dems for the CW & Lincoln’s death– Reformers, African-Americans, businessmen, Reformers, African-Americans, businessmen,

middle-class Anglo-Saxon Protestantsmiddle-class Anglo-Saxon Protestants

DemocratsDemocrats– Won every election in southern statesWon every election in southern states

Solid SouthSolid South– In North, Dems had political machines & In North, Dems had political machines &

immigrant vote in citiesimmigrant vote in cities Catholics & Jews who objected to temperanceCatholics & Jews who objected to temperance

– Believed in states’ rights & limited federal powersBelieved in states’ rights & limited federal powers

Political StalematePolitical Stalemate– Party patronageParty patronage

Neither party had a legislative agendaNeither party had a legislative agenda Goal was to get in office, stay in office, & Goal was to get in office, stay in office, &

provide jobs to supportersprovide jobs to supporters– Rep. Sen. Roscoe Conkling (NY)Rep. Sen. Roscoe Conkling (NY)

Powerful leader who gave lucrative jobs in the Powerful leader who gave lucrative jobs in the NY Customs HouseNY Customs House

– StalwartsStalwarts Followers of ConklingFollowers of Conkling

– HalfbreedsHalfbreeds Rivals for Republican patronage Rivals for Republican patronage Led by James BlaineLed by James Blaine

– MugwumpsMugwumps Republicans who did not follow either sideRepublicans who did not follow either side Mugs on one side of the fence, wumps on the Mugs on one side of the fence, wumps on the

otherother

1884 cartoon in 1884 cartoon in PuckPuck magazine ridicules Blaine as magazine ridicules Blaine as

the tattooed-man, with many indelible scandals.the tattooed-man, with many indelible scandals.

Gilded Age PresidentsGilded Age Presidents Rutherford B. HayesRutherford B. Hayes

– Ended ReconstructionEnded Reconstruction– Attempted to Attempted to

reestablish honest reestablish honest governmentgovernment

– Stopped serving Stopped serving liquor in the White liquor in the White HouseHouse Temperance Temperance

reformerreformer Wife—”Lemonade Wife—”Lemonade

Lucy”Lucy”

– Vetoed efforts to Vetoed efforts to restrict Chinese restrict Chinese immigrationimmigration

Election of 1880Election of 1880– Republicans nominated “Halfbreed” Republicans nominated “Halfbreed”

James Garfield for pres. & “Stalwart” James Garfield for pres. & “Stalwart” Chester A. Arthur for vpChester A. Arthur for vp

– Democrats nominated Winfield S. Democrats nominated Winfield S. Hancock, a former US Gen. wounded at Hancock, a former US Gen. wounded at GettysburgGettysburg

James GarfieldJames Garfield– Besieged by Republicans seeking jobsBesieged by Republicans seeking jobs– Filled most jobs with HalfbreedsFilled most jobs with Halfbreeds– Shot by disgruntled office seekerShot by disgruntled office seeker

Charles Guiteau Charles Guiteau

President Garfield's assassination depicted in President Garfield's assassination depicted in

engraving from 1881 newspaperengraving from 1881 newspaper

To General Sherman: To General Sherman:    I have just shot the President.I have just shot the President.    I shot him several times as I I shot him several times as I wished  him to go as easily as wished  him to go as easily as possible. His death was a possible. His death was a political necessity. political necessity.

I am a lawyer, theologian, and I am a lawyer, theologian, and politician. I am a Stalwart of politician. I am a Stalwart of the Stalwarts. I was with the Stalwarts. I was with General Grant and the rest of General Grant and the rest of our men, in our men, in New YorkNew York during the during the canvass. canvass.

I am going to the Jail.I am going to the Jail. Please Please order out your troops, and take order out your troops, and take possession of the jail at once. possession of the jail at once.                                Very respectfully,            Very respectfully,                         Charles Guiteau.                        Charles Guiteau.

President James Garfield lies in the sickroom at the President James Garfield lies in the sickroom at the White HouseWhite House

 in the days following his assassination. in the days following his assassination.

Chester A. ArthurChester A. Arthur– Better president than Better president than

people expectedpeople expected– Distanced himself Distanced himself

from Stalwartsfrom Stalwarts– Supported a bill Supported a bill

reforming civil reforming civil serviceservice

– Approved the Approved the development of a development of a modern US navymodern US navy

– Began to question Began to question high protective tariffhigh protective tariff

– Was not renominated Was not renominated by the Republicans by the Republicans

Election of 1884Election of 1884 Republicans nominated Sen. James Republicans nominated Sen. James

Blaine (ME)Blaine (ME)– Responsible for reshaping the Republicans Responsible for reshaping the Republicans

from antislavery party to pro-business from antislavery party to pro-business partyparty

– Tainted by scandals Tainted by scandals Democrats nominated Grover Cleveland Democrats nominated Grover Cleveland

– Honest, conscientious, frugal, Honest, conscientious, frugal, uncompromisinguncompromising

– Mayor of Buffalo & governor of NYMayor of Buffalo & governor of NY Mugwumps campaigned & voted for Mugwumps campaigned & voted for

ClevelandCleveland

Election of 1884Election of 1884

Republicans Republicans exposed exposed Cleveland’s Cleveland’s illegitimate child & illegitimate child & labeled Democrats labeled Democrats the party of “Rum, the party of “Rum, Romanism, & Romanism, & Rebellion” Rebellion”

The mud-slinging began when a Buffalo The mud-slinging began when a Buffalo newspaper broke the story that Cleveland had an newspaper broke the story that Cleveland had an illegitimate son, then ten years old, from an affair illegitimate son, then ten years old, from an affair with a young widow named Maria Halpin.  with a young widow named Maria Halpin.  Republicans crowed, "Ma!  Ma!   Where's my Republicans crowed, "Ma!  Ma!   Where's my Pa?"  [Refer to the Pa?"  [Refer to the cartooncartoon, "Another vote for , "Another vote for Cleveland."]  But instead of issuing a denial, Cleveland."]  But instead of issuing a denial, Cleveland surprised both his allies and opponents Cleveland surprised both his allies and opponents alike with a frank admission of responsibility.  He alike with a frank admission of responsibility.  He instructed his campaign advisers: "Tell the instructed his campaign advisers: "Tell the truth."  Yes, Cleveland (a bachelor) had been truth."  Yes, Cleveland (a bachelor) had been involved with Maria Halpin (as had other men, involved with Maria Halpin (as had other men, apparently), and although he could not be sure apparently), and although he could not be sure the child was his, nonetheless he did "the the child was his, nonetheless he did "the honorable thing" and provided financial support.  honorable thing" and provided financial support.  This took much of the air out of the scandal. This took much of the air out of the scandal.

Catholics were Catholics were offended by the offended by the Republicans phrase Republicans phrase & many voted for & many voted for ClevelandCleveland

Cleveland first Cleveland first Democrat elected Democrat elected president since president since Buchanan in 1856 Buchanan in 1856

Grover ClevelandGrover Cleveland Believed in limited government Believed in limited government

(Jeffersonian)(Jeffersonian) Implemented new civil service Implemented new civil service

systemsystem Vetoed 100s of private pension bills Vetoed 100s of private pension bills

for false CW veteran claimsfor false CW veteran claims Signed Interstate Commerce Act Signed Interstate Commerce Act Signed Dawes Act Signed Dawes Act

1870s & 1880s 1870s & 1880s Issues:Issues:

civil service, currency, & civil service, currency, & tariffstariffs

Civil serviceCivil service

Demand for reform after Garfield’s Demand for reform after Garfield’s assassinationassassination

Pendleton Act (1881) set up the Civil Service Pendleton Act (1881) set up the Civil Service Commission & created a system in which Commission & created a system in which persons applying for classified federal jobs persons applying for classified federal jobs would be hired based on their scores on a would be hired based on their scores on a competitive examcompetitive exam– Law applied to 10% of federal jobs but has Law applied to 10% of federal jobs but has

expandedexpanded– Politicians became less dependent on party Politicians became less dependent on party

workers & more on the richworkers & more on the rich

CurrencyCurrency Debate over whether or not to expand Debate over whether or not to expand

the money supplythe money supply– Easy or soft-money advocatesEasy or soft-money advocates

Debtors, farmers, & new businesses wanted Debtors, farmers, & new businesses wanted more money in circulation so they couldmore money in circulation so they could

– Borrow money at lower interest ratesBorrow money at lower interest rates– Pay off their loans easier with inflated dollarsPay off their loans easier with inflated dollars

Many blamed the gold standard for causing Many blamed the gold standard for causing the Panic of 1873the Panic of 1873

Campaigned for more paper money Campaigned for more paper money (greenbacks) & for unlimited minting of silver (greenbacks) & for unlimited minting of silver coinscoins

– Sound or hard Sound or hard money advocatesmoney advocates Bankers, creditors, Bankers, creditors,

investors, & investors, & established established businesses wanted businesses wanted currency backed by currency backed by goldgold

Backed currency Backed currency would hold value would hold value against inflationagainst inflation

Greenback partyGreenback party

Civil War had been financed by issuing Civil War had been financed by issuing greenbacks (un-backed paper money)greenbacks (un-backed paper money)– Northern farmers associated greenbacks with Northern farmers associated greenbacks with

prosperity prosperity – Creditors & investors attacked it as violation of Creditors & investors attacked it as violation of

natural lawnatural law Specie Resumption Act (1875) withdrew Specie Resumption Act (1875) withdrew

the last of the greenbacks from circulationthe last of the greenbacks from circulation Supporters of paper money formed the Supporters of paper money formed the

Greenback partyGreenback party

Crime of 1873Crime of 1873

1873 Coinage Act stopped the coining of 1873 Coinage Act stopped the coining of silver silver

Critics called it the Crime of 1873Critics called it the Crime of 1873 Bland-Allison Act (1878)Bland-Allison Act (1878)

– Allowed a limited coinage of silver each mo. @ Allowed a limited coinage of silver each mo. @ the standard silver to gold ratio of 16 to 1the standard silver to gold ratio of 16 to 1

– Passed as a compromise bill after new silver Passed as a compromise bill after new silver discoveries in Nevada revived demands to discoveries in Nevada revived demands to increase money supplyincrease money supply

– Law passed over President Hayes’ veto.Law passed over President Hayes’ veto.

Tariff issueTariff issue Western farmers opposed to high, protective Western farmers opposed to high, protective

tarifftariff Eastern capitalists favored high, protective Eastern capitalists favored high, protective

tarifftariff Republican Congress passed protective tariff Republican Congress passed protective tariff

during CWduring CW After CW, southern Democrats objected to After CW, southern Democrats objected to

high tariffshigh tariffs Other nations retaliated by taxing US Other nations retaliated by taxing US

products—farmers were especially hurt losing products—farmers were especially hurt losing overseas markets overseas markets

Election of 1888Election of 1888

President Cleveland proposed that Congress President Cleveland proposed that Congress lower the tariff because there was a surpluslower the tariff because there was a surplus

Cleveland’s proposal became the first issue Cleveland’s proposal became the first issue between Dems & Reps in yearsbetween Dems & Reps in years

Democrats campaigned for Cleveland Democrats campaigned for Cleveland & a lower tariff& a lower tariff

Republicans for Benjamin Harrison Republicans for Benjamin Harrison (grandson of William Henry Harrison) (grandson of William Henry Harrison) & a high tariff& a high tariff– Played on fears of big business & labor Played on fears of big business & labor

to gain supportto gain support– Also attacked Cleveland’s vetoes of Also attacked Cleveland’s vetoes of

pensions to gain veterans’ votespensions to gain veterans’ votes Close electionClose election

– Harrison won electoral votes; Cleveland Harrison won electoral votes; Cleveland had majority of popular votehad majority of popular vote

Billion Dollar CongressBillion Dollar Congress Republican president & Reps controlled Republican president & Reps controlled

both houses of Congressboth houses of Congress Passed first billion-dollar budget in US Passed first billion-dollar budget in US

history & enacted:history & enacted:– McKinley TariffMcKinley Tariff (1890) raised tax on foreign (1890) raised tax on foreign

products over 48%products over 48%– Increases in monthly pensions to CW veterans, Increases in monthly pensions to CW veterans,

widows, & childrenwidows, & children– Sherman Antitrust ActSherman Antitrust Act (1890) outlawed (1890) outlawed

combinations in restraint of tradecombinations in restraint of trade– Sherman Silver Purchase ActSherman Silver Purchase Act (1890) increased (1890) increased

coinage of silver (not enough for farmers & coinage of silver (not enough for farmers & miners)miners)

1890s1890s Congressional elections of 1890 many Congressional elections of 1890 many

Republicans were replaced by DemocratsRepublicans were replaced by Democrats– Reaction against unpopular measures Reaction against unpopular measures

passedpassed Prohibition of alcoholProhibition of alcohol Sunday closing lawsSunday closing laws

– Midwestern non-Anglo & non-protestant Midwestern non-Anglo & non-protestant voters voters

Growing agrarian discontent Growing agrarian discontent – Farmers’ Alliances elected congressmen, Farmers’ Alliances elected congressmen,

governors, state repsgovernors, state reps

Farmers’ Alliances led to new party—Farmers’ Alliances led to new party—Populist or the People’s partyPopulist or the People’s party– Delegates met in Omaha, NE in 1892Delegates met in Omaha, NE in 1892– Omaha PlatformOmaha Platform

Restoration of government to the peopleRestoration of government to the people– Direct election of senatorsDirect election of senators– Initiatives & referendums in statesInitiatives & referendums in states

Unlimited coinage of silverUnlimited coinage of silver Graduated income taxGraduated income tax govt ownership of railroadsgovt ownership of railroads Govt ownership of telegraph & telephone Govt ownership of telegraph & telephone

systemssystems Loans & federal warehouses for farmers to Loans & federal warehouses for farmers to

stabilize crop pricesstabilize crop prices 8-hour workday for industrial workers8-hour workday for industrial workers

Election of 1892Election of 1892 Democrat Grover ClevelandDemocrat Grover Cleveland

– Won both popular & electoral votesWon both popular & electoral votes– Only former president to return to White HouseOnly former president to return to White House

Republican Benjamin HarrisonRepublican Benjamin Harrison Populist James BlainePopulist James Blaine

– Won more than 1 million votesWon more than 1 million votes– Won 22 electoral votes (significant for a 3Won 22 electoral votes (significant for a 3rdrd

party)party)– Populists did not do well in the SouthPopulists did not do well in the South

Southerners feared the uniting of poor whites & blacksSoutherners feared the uniting of poor whites & blacks– Blacks were kept from voting Blacks were kept from voting

– Failed to attract northern urban workers Failed to attract northern urban workers

Panic of 1893Panic of 1893 Stock market crashStock market crash

– Overspeculation & dozens of railroads Overspeculation & dozens of railroads went bankrupt due to overbuilding went bankrupt due to overbuilding

Depression lasted 4 yearsDepression lasted 4 years Many farm foreclosuresMany farm foreclosures 20% unemployment20% unemployment Cleveland took conservative approachCleveland took conservative approach

– Championed the gold standardChampioned the gold standard– Adopted hands-off policy to economy Adopted hands-off policy to economy

Gold reserve crisisGold reserve crisis Decline in silver price caused investors to Decline in silver price caused investors to

switch to goldswitch to gold Gold reserve fell dangerously lowGold reserve fell dangerously low President Cleveland repealed the Sherman President Cleveland repealed the Sherman

Silver Purchase ActSilver Purchase Act– It did not stop the drain on goldIt did not stop the drain on gold

Cleveland turned to J.P. Morgan & Cleveland turned to J.P. Morgan & borrowed $65 million gold borrowed $65 million gold – Many Americans saw this as proof that the Many Americans saw this as proof that the

government was a tool of the richgovernment was a tool of the rich Pullman strikePullman strike

– Workers were further disenchanted with Workers were further disenchanted with Cleveland when he used federal troops to Cleveland when he used federal troops to crush the Pullman strikecrush the Pullman strike

Wilson-Gorman Tariff, 1894Wilson-Gorman Tariff, 1894

Moderately Moderately reduced tariff ratesreduced tariff rates

Included a 2% Included a 2% income tax on income tax on incomes over incomes over $2000$2000– Supreme Court Supreme Court

declared income declared income tax unconstitutional tax unconstitutional within a yearwithin a year

Cleveland's humiliation by Gorman and the sugar trust; cartoon by W. A. Rogers

Coxey’s ArmyCoxey’s Army 1894 thousands of unemployed marched 1894 thousands of unemployed marched

on Washington on Washington Led by Populist Jacob A. Coxey of OhioLed by Populist Jacob A. Coxey of Ohio They demanded that the federal They demanded that the federal

government spend $500 million on public government spend $500 million on public works programs to create jobsworks programs to create jobs

Coxey & other leaders were arrested & the Coxey & other leaders were arrested & the “army” went home“army” went home

The march worried conservatives who The march worried conservatives who believe the depression was resulting in believe the depression was resulting in war between capitalists & laborwar between capitalists & labor

Coxey’s ArmyCoxey’s Army

Election of 1896Election of 1896

Democrats dividedDemocrats divided ““gold” Democrats gold” Democrats

loyal to Cleveland vs. loyal to Cleveland vs. Prosilver Democrats Prosilver Democrats

1896 Democratic 1896 Democratic conventionconvention William Jennings William Jennings

BryanBryan Cross of Gold speechCross of Gold speech Won nomination by Won nomination by

prosilver Demsprosilver Dems

Election of 1896Election of 1896 Democratic platformDemocratic platform

Favored unlimited Favored unlimited coinage of silver at 16 coinage of silver at 16 to 1 ratio to goldto 1 ratio to gold This was the main This was the main

issue for Populists who issue for Populists who decided to nominate decided to nominate Bryan also & run a Bryan also & run a duel campaignduel campaign

““Gold” Democrats Gold” Democrats defected the partydefected the party

William Jennings Bryan

Election of 1896Election of 1896 Republicans nominated William McKinley Republicans nominated William McKinley

of Ohioof Ohio Favored high protective tariffsFavored high protective tariffs & considered a friend of labor& considered a friend of labor

Republican platformRepublican platform Blamed Democrats for Panic of 1893Blamed Democrats for Panic of 1893 High tariff to protect industryHigh tariff to protect industry Gold standardGold standard

Election of 1896Election of 1896 Marcus Hanna Marcus Hanna

Rich businessman who secured McKinley’s Rich businessman who secured McKinley’s nomination nomination

Ran McKinley’s campaign by raising millions Ran McKinley’s campaign by raising millions of dollars & selling McKinley through the of dollars & selling McKinley through the mass mediamass media

Businessmen contributed fearing the silver Businessmen contributed fearing the silver movementmovement

McKinley stayed home & conducted a front-McKinley stayed home & conducted a front-porch campaignporch campaign

Election of 1896Election of 1896

Bryan campaigned nationwide by trainBryan campaigned nationwide by train 18,000 miles & over 600 speeches18,000 miles & over 600 speeches Appealed to farmers & debtorsAppealed to farmers & debtors

Bryan was hurt by Bryan was hurt by A rise in wheat pricesA rise in wheat prices Employers scaring workers that factories would Employers scaring workers that factories would

close if Bryan was electedclose if Bryan was elected

McKinley won the popular & electoral voteMcKinley won the popular & electoral vote

Significance of 1896 Significance of 1896 electionelection

Marked end to the stalemate & Marked end to the stalemate & stagnation of politics in the Gilded Agestagnation of politics in the Gilded Age

Beginning of Republican dominance of Beginning of Republican dominance of the presidency (7/9) & both houses of the presidency (7/9) & both houses of Congress (17/20) Congress (17/20)

Republicans were now the party of Republicans were now the party of business, industry, & strong national govtbusiness, industry, & strong national govt

Significance of 1896 Significance of 1896 electionelection

Populist party declined after 1896 Populist party declined after 1896 1896 was a victory for big business, 1896 was a victory for big business,

urban centers, conservative economics, urban centers, conservative economics, & moderate middle-class values& moderate middle-class values

William McKinley was first modern William McKinley was first modern presidentpresident

Mark Hanna created a new model for Mark Hanna created a new model for running political campaignsrunning political campaigns