Lesson_4_Democracy_Empire_1870_1900

Lesson 4 : 

Lesson 4 Democracy and Empire 1870-1900

A Growing Government : 

A Growing Government Prior to the Civil War governments depended upon private companies to provide services. After the War this began to change as cities began operating their own fire departments, libraries, schools, roads, etc. State governments also started growing. Began overseeing banking, transportation, & major construction within the states.

A Growing Government : 

A Growing Government The federal government grew during this period. The demand for resources and supplies during the War required growth. The federal government continued to grow after the War. During this period, many of the modern departments, bureaus, and cabinets took shape.

A Growing Government : 

A Growing Government The Department of Interior. The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). U.S. Geological Survey. Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC). Prohibited discriminatory rates by railroads. Set precedent for future regulation of trade and the establishment of rules for businesses that superseded state laws.

The Machinery of Politics : 

The Machinery of Politics The Republicans continued to run on Civil War record. The Democrats sought ways to reduce the influence of the federal government and protect ‘states rights’. Neither party would enjoy a clear majority until the close of the 19th century.

The Machinery of Politics : 

The Machinery of Politics Most Presidents during this period yielded power to Congress and state legislatures. Democrats controlled the House of Representatives. Republicans controlled the Senate. Congress passed little meaningful legislation before 1890.

The Machinery of Politics : 

The Machinery of Politics The issue of the tariff divided the parties. Tariff: a tax levied by the government on imported goods (customs duty). Manufacturing regions (N.E.) supported the tariffs. Southern/Western agricultural regions opposed the tariffs (claimed that the tariff were unfair on famers (etc) who needed to import necessities). Democrats argued for reductions in tariffs to save the agrarian way of life.

The Machinery of Politics : 

The Machinery of Politics Republicans raised tariffs during the War and retained high tariffs as long as they held power. Republicans/Democrats mainly operated on the local level. By 1870s, partisan politics was a full-time job. Local officials running for office every two years.

The Machinery of Politics : 

The Machinery of Politics Voter turn out was high despite gridlock in D.C. Partisans embraced the donkey or elephant as symbols of their party. Powerful bosses, who operated at the local level, and political machines begin to dominate both parties. On the Federal level, jobs changed hands each time the Presidency passed from one party to another.

The Spoils System and Civil Service Reform : 

The Spoils System and Civil Service Reform 1865: Thomas Jenckes (R – RI) proposed a bill for civil service reform. It was defeated. Group of professors, newspaper editors, lawyers, and ministers organized The Civil Service Reform Association. George Pendleton (D – OH). January 1883: bipartisan majority passed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act.

The Spoils System and Civil Service Reform : 

The Spoils System and Civil Service Reform The Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act: Prohibited government workers from making political contributions. Created the Civil Service Commission which established a system of standards for federal jobs. Instituted “open, competitive examinations for testing the fitness of applicants for public service”. Barred political candidates from funding their campaigns by assessing a “tax” on the salaries of holders of party-sponsored government jobs.

The Spoils System and Civil Service Reform : 

The Spoils System and Civil Service Reform Patronage did not disappear. Many federal departments took on a professional character. Circuit Courts of Appeals Act of 1891: Congress granted the U.S. Supreme Court the right to review all cases at will. Still, many observers viewed government as corrupt.

The Grange and the Farmers’ Alliance : 

The Grange and the Farmers’ Alliance 1867: Patrons of Husbandry: Formed by white farmers in the Midwest. For their own social, intellectual, and moral improvement. Formed as a national organization of farm owners. Also known as “Grangers”. Launched an assault on the corrupt railroad corporations.

The Grange and the Farmers’ Alliance : 

The Grange and the Farmers’ Alliance Railroads bribed state legislators. They received discriminatory rate policy. Charged farmers more to ship their crops short distances than over long distances. 1874: Granger Laws: Established maximum shipping rates. Grangers also complained about the price-fixing policies of grain wholesalers and operators of grain elevators. 1873: Illinois legislature passed the “Warehouse Act” Established maximum rates for storing grain. In other states, Grangers ran banks as well as fraternal life and fire insurance companies.

The Grange and the Farmers’ Alliance : 

The Grange and the Farmers’ Alliance Mid-1880s: The Supreme Court overturns most of the key legislation regulating railroads. The idea of an activist government would remain at the heart of the farmer-worker protest movements. Anger moved South. Falling price of cotton caused the farmers to turn their anger into loyalty to the one organization pledged to improve their situation: The Southern Farmers’ Alliance.

The Grange and the Farmers’ Alliance : 

The Grange and the Farmers’ Alliance The Southern Farmers’ Alliance: Formed to advance the interests of small farmers. For a period of time it was the alternative to the capitalist marketplace. Winter blizzards 1886/1887. Summer droughts 1886/1887. Reduced wheat harvests by one-third on the Great Plains. Wheat prices fell sharply.

The Grange and the Farmers’ Alliance : 

The Grange and the Farmers’ Alliance 1889: Regional organizations joined forces: The National Farmers’ Alliance and Industrial Union. Entered electoral races. By 1890, had won several local and state elections. Gained control of the Nebraska legislature. Held the balance of power in Minnesota and South Dakota. Worked to lower tariffs, to restrict land ownership “to” citizens, and easier access to money through the “free and unlimited coinage of silver”.

Labor Parties and Women’s Alliances : 

Labor Parties and Women’s Alliances Workers launched labor parties in industrial towns and cities. By the late 1880s, labor parties won seats on many city councils and state legislatures. Victories caught the attention of farmers. New party lost. Local successes nurtured hopes for a viable political alliance of the “producing classes”, both rural and urban.

Labor Parties and Women’s Alliances : 

Labor Parties and Women’s Alliances Women activists helped build the labor and agrarian protest movements. Women in the Knights of Labor and the Farmers’ Alliance looked to Frances E. Willard as their leader. From 1878 until 1897, Willard presided over the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU). Dedicated to abstinence from the consumption of alcohol. Members visited schools, prisons, and men’s meetings, teaching about the evils of alcohol.

Labor Parties and Women’s Alliances : 

Labor Parties and Women’s Alliances Willard understood that for women to participate in politics they needed the right to vote. The WCTU became a major force for women’s suffrage. Far surpassing it’s two rival organizations: American Woman Suffrage Association National Woman Suffrage Association 1890: Merged to form “The National American Woman Suffrage Association”.

Populism : 

Populism Political philosophy supporting the rights and power of the people in their struggle against the privileged elite. During the 1890s, mass movement that formed on the basis of the Southern Farmers’ Alliance and other reform organizations.

Populism : 

Populism December 1890: Farmers’ Alliance called a meeting at Ocala, Florida. Press for the creation of a third party (People’s Party). Risky since the organization had hoped to control the Democratic Party. Many farmers were Republicans. Established it’s own parties in some areas. Presented candidates for local elections. Won majorities in state legislatures. Sent a representative to Congress.

Populism : 

Populism The People’s Party: Government ownership of railroads, banks, and telegraph lines. Prohibition of large landholding companies. Graduated income tax. Eight-hour workday. Restriction of immigration. Most ambitious plan called for the federal government to build local warehouses where farmers could store crops until prices reached more acceptable levels.

Populism : 

Populism A universal suffrage proposal failed to pass. July 1892: Met in Omaha. Nominated James Baird Weaver (Iowa) for President and Confederate veteran James G. Field (Virginia) for Vice President. Populists: Supporters of the People’s Party. Became a major force in American politics. Party won numerous local elections.

Financial Crisis – 1890s : 

Financial Crisis – 1890s Several events in the late 19th century shook any confidence people had in the government. The most serious was the economic depression of 1893. European depression caused markets for American goods to shrink. Financial panic spread and British investors sold their stock to get cash.

Financial Crisis – 1890s : 

Financial Crisis – 1890s Helped bring about the collapse of the U.S. economy: Tight credit Falling agricultural prices Weak banking system Overexpansion in railroad construction May/June 1893: Stock market crash. American economy came to a halt.

Financial Crisis – 1890s : 

Financial Crisis – 1890s Unemployment reach 25% in many areas. Millions suffered: unable to purchase food, clothes, or household items. Families learned to get by on little. Public anger grew. Coxey’s Army Miners’ Union bomb mine The Pullman Strike

Financial Crisis – 1890s : 

Financial Crisis – 1890s Eugene Debs, leader of the Pullman Strike, believed socialism was “Christianity in action”. Many clergy shared his views. Social Gospel leaders: Called upon the American government to be more responsible for it’s most impoverished and unprotected citizens. Petitioned the government to regulate corporations and place limits on profits.

Financial Crisis – 1890s : 

Financial Crisis – 1890s Social Gospel movement was guided by women. Women raised money to establish inexpensive residential hotels for working women. YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association”) Sponsored services for needy protestant women, elderly, and unwed mothers. Provided vocational training.

Financial Crisis – 1890s : 

Financial Crisis – 1890s Catholic nuns and lay women served the poor women of their faith. Operated schools, hospitals, and orphanages. African-American women (Baptist): Sponsored self-help programs. Emphasized the importance of education Organized their own YWCA chapters. Formed nurseries, orphanages, hospitals, and nursing homes.

Political Reforms : 

Political Reforms Economic crisis brought about crisis in two-party system. Election of 1896. Displayed the American people’s desire for a stronger and more involved federal government. Brought to office national political who: Saw a link between domestic problems and the growth of overseas markets. Were willing to put their vision into action. Events that led up to the election of ‘96.

Political Reform : 

Political Reform Free Silver Issue: President Glover Cleveland (D) – 1892 victory owed to: The predictable votes of Southern Democrats. Unanticipated support of some Northern states (whose German born voters turned against nativist Republicans). Financial collapse put pressure on Democrats. President Cleveland called for a special session of Congress to reform the nation’s currency. Background… Many sought “soft” currency. Federal Gov’t created national currency (greenbacks).

Political Reform : 

Political Reform Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890: Directed Treasury to increase the amount of currency coined from silver. Permitted the U.S. to print paper currency back by silver. President Cleveland tried to repeal Act. Supported the gold standard to bring the nation out of economic ruin. President Cleveland had the Act repealed – October 1893. Ruined his chances for re-nomination.

Political Reform : 

Political Reform Silver Democrats looked to the Populist who favored “free silver”. 1894 (mid-term elections) brought about the largest shift in congressional power in American History. William Jennings Bryan (D – Populist): Champion of “free silver”. Democratic nominee for 1896 election. Populist Party nominated Bryan for President and Tom Watson for V.P. Bryan/Sewall ignored the Populist nomination.

Political Reform : 

Political Reform Presidential Election of 1896: Democrats: William Jennings Bryan and Arthur Sewall. Republicans: William McKinley and Garret Hobart. Republicans avoided the silver issue. McKinley defeated Bryan. The Populist movement faded away. Bryan’s defeat ended the popular challenge to the nation’s growing system.

Political Reform : 

Political Reform President McKinley: Strengthened the Presidency. Promoted pro-business and expansionist measures. By the close of the 19th century, the nation was seeing a return of prosperity. McKinley won re-election in 1900. Assassinated September 5, 1901. Leon Frank Czolgosz

Nativism and Jim Crow : 

Nativism and Jim Crow Bryan nor McKinley dealt with the issue of racism and Nativism. Close of 19th century: Many began to note that the nation’s patriotic fever took on a nationalistic and antiforeigner tone. Many blamed the nation’s problems on foreigners. Southern States placed racist and nativist views into law by passing discriminatory and segregationist legislation. Jim Crow Laws.

Nativism and Jim Crow : 

Nativism and Jim Crow Jim Crow Laws had a major impact on African-Americans. White southerners imposed firm standards of segregation and domination to prevent any appearance of equality between the races. Southern states enacted new laws to cover facilities such as public transportation, restaurants, and drinking fountains.

Nativism and Jim Crow : 

Nativism and Jim Crow Jim Crow Laws were upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court when it: Overturned the Civil Rights Act of 1875. Ruled that Louisiana could segregate railroad passenger cars (Plessy v. Ferguson). Political equality and Social equality separate things. Basis for segregation. Cumming v. Richmond County Board of Education. Separate schools.

Nativism and Jim Crow : 

Nativism and Jim Crow Southern states enacted literacy tests and property qualifications for voting. Louisiana used Grandfather Clauses to prevent African-Americans from voting. Rise in racial violence: Race riots. Wilmington, N.C. “The Wilmington Massacre” Lynching were very common. Became public (and family) events.

Nativism and Jim Crow : 

Ida B. Wells: Launched an anti-lynching movement. Her cause was taken up by the National Association of Colored Women. Few southerners stepped up to defend African-Americans. Many believed their future depended upon “white supremacy”. Nativism and Jim Crow

Spanish-American War : 

Spanish-American War Prior to the Civil War, Southerners pushed for the acquisition of Spanish Cuba. Wanted to expand slavery into its sugar mills, tobacco plantations, and mines. United States failed to purchase the island. Settled for status quo and agreed to protect Spain’s sovereignty over Cuba. Mid-1860s: Independence movement began in Cuba. Response to high taxes.

Spanish-American War : 

Spanish-American War The Independence Party: Suffered a series of defeats. Rallied under the leadership of Jose Marti. Marti killed in 1895. 1896: Spain appointed General Valeriano Weyler as governor giving him full authority to crush the rebels. Forced civilians into concentration camps. February 1898: USS Maine destroyed.

Spanish-American War : 

Spanish-American War April 11, 1898: President McKinley asked Congress for a declaration of war against Spain. August 12, 1898: United States secured Cuba’s independence from Spain. Platt Amendment: Cuba required to: Provide land for American bases. Devote national revenues to pay back debts to U.S. Sign no treaty that would be detrimental to American interests. To acknowledge the right of the U.S. to intervene at any time to protect interests in Cuba.

Spanish-American War : 

Spanish-American War Some were not happy with America’s actions in Cuba and in the Philippines (see textbook). No mass movement to stop U.S. expansion.