1890-1920 Politics Flashcards
Key ideas of Populism
- Regulation of railways
- Government regulation of farm prices
- Graduated income tax
- Direct election of senators
- 8 hour working day
- Alter basis of currency
Effect of high tariffs
Demands for wage increases (Homestead Strike 1892)
Increased productivity costs
Dissolve of prosperity
Farmers: collapse
Homestead Strike 1892
Henry Clay Frick cut wages and refused to accept union negotiations
Pinkerton (300) armed
3 agents and 10 strikers killed
Workers forced to accept longer days and lower wages
Sherman Anti-Trust Act 1890
To protect trade and commerce against unlawful restraints and monopolies.
Benjamin Harrison
Republican, 1889-1893
Grover Cleveland
Democrat, 1893-1897
Economic depression
1893-1897: panic hit stock market , maintained gold reserve
1894 Midterms
Divided into Bourbon Democrats and Populists
Impact of the McKinley tariff
Increased inflation, Cleveland attempted to lower rate
1890, Wilson-Gorman tariff replaced
Pullman Strike of 1894
Widespread railroad strikes (20) and boycotts disrupting railroad traffic.
Layoffs, wage cuts, finings
Claim that strikes violated Sherman Anti-trust Act (troops)
Cut more than 2000 workers and reduced wages by 25%
Omnibus Indictment Act
Permitted legal banning of strikes till the 1930’s
William McKinley
Republican, 1897-1901
1896 Republican Convention
Marcus Alonzo Hanna ensured nomination by paying voters, planning campaigns and paying the media to oppose Bryan
When did the Republican dominance era begin
1897-1912 with William Jennings Bryan by 600,000 votes (57%-51%)
Dingley tariff 1897
Increased tariff rate from 40% to 50%
Currency Act 1900
Committed the US to maintain the gold standard
1900 election
Supported by success of American war v Spain for Cuba and strength of the economy
Foundation of Populist movement
Founded in 1891
Candidate in 1892 election (8.5%)
Aimed to improve conditions for farmers and agrarian workers.
Consisted of farmers, working people and supporters of silver
Folded into Democratic Party in 1896
Influence of Populism
1890, entered coalition governments in several southern and western states
Sent Populists to both Houses of Congress
More than a million votes in first presidential election
1894 Midterms, split Democrats
Don’t ever introduce silver as a form of currency
Ideas of Progressivism
Political
- Changes to constitution (women’s vote, direct election)
- Greater role for federal government
- Radical reform of the management of towns controlled by corrupt officials
- Changes to political parties
Social
- Female emancipation
- Welfare benefits
- Prohibition
- Reforms to help African Americans
Economic
- Greater role in regulating business
- More government control of banks, insurance companies and the stock market
- New legislation to ensure employers recognised trade unions
- Laws to provide consumer protection
- Change currency to introduce silver coinage