POLITICAL REALIGNMENTS IN THE 1890’s

Chapter 20

Overall look of Party Politics 1870’s-1890’s

• Democrats emphasize state’s rights and limited government• Republicans see government as agent to promote moral

progress and material wealth• Federal influence wanes, state control rises• Supreme Court makes land mark decisions in regard to trade

– Munn v. Illinois (1877) – Wabash case (1886) prompts establishment of Interstate Commerce

Commission (ICC)

• 1890 is the first billion dollar Congress

The Election of 1880

The Election of 1884

Tariffs, Trusts and Silver• 1890: McKinley Tariff raises duties to historic high• Dependents Pension Act: By 1893, 1 million receiving

pensions from union army • 1890: Sherman Anti-Trust Act regulates big business– U.S. vs. E.C. Knight clarifies that law does not apply to

manufacturers

• 1890: Sherman Silver Purchase Act moves country toward bi-metallic monetary system

The Rise of the Populist Movement

• Discontented farmers of West and South provide base of support

• Farmers’ complaints– Lower prices for crops (although purchasing

power rising) – Rising railroad rates (rates actually declining)– Burdensome mortgages (loans permit production

expansion)

• Conditions of farmers vary by region• General feeling of depression, resentment

The Fast-Growing Populist Party

• By 1880’s two powerful groups emerge– Farmers Alliance and Industrial Union (Southern Alliance)– Northwestern Alliance (National Farmers Alliance)

• Ocala Demands become Populist platform– System of government warehouses to hold crops for

higher prices– Free coinage of silver– Low tariffs– Federal income tax– Direct election of Senators – Regulation of railroads

The Panic of 1893

• February, 1893: Industrial balloon pops• Investors sell stock to purchase gold• Depleted Treasury (of gold) shakes confidence

plummets U.S. into worst depression in U.S. history • U.S. falls into a state of upheaval and despair– Miner strikes, Pullman riots, Coxey army, etc…

• Americans accepted the need for government intervention to help the poor and jobless

The Presidential Election of 1896Candidate: William Jennings

Bryan• Free coinage of silver the main

issue– Set ratio of silver to gold at

16:1– Boost the money supply– Seen as solution to depression

• Silverites believed amount in circulation determined level of economic activity

• Loses election because eastern press favored McKinley

Candidate: William McKinley

• Promised gold standard to restore prosperity

• Would promote economic prosperity BUT a need to regulate and control the effects of industrialization