7 | politics: republican dominance 1890-1912 Flashcards
(37 cards)
Republican dominance
Their victory in the 1896 election led to a period of Republican dominance. Between 1868 and 1932, Cleveland and Wilson were the only 2 democrats to interrupt the Republican chain of dominance.
1888-1912
Harrison 1888
Cleveland 1892
McKinley 1896 and 1900
Roosevelt 1901 and 1904
Taft 1908
Wilson 1912
The rise of populism and progressivism
Populism brought about fundamental change and divisions in the Democratic Party
Progressivism was a wide ranging reform movement which deeply influenced the Republican Party, especially Roosevelt. By 1912, it has become the central issue in American politics as a new National Progressive Party was formed, it divided the republicans and also influenced Wilson.
Completing the political nation
Before 1890, American politics was not truly national yet, between 1867 and 1912, 12 new states were added to the Union, six in 1889-90. These new states contained important new voters and new political priorities. This required the main political parties to adapt and change.
Democrat support
Core of democrat support was the solid south, for a century after the civil war, democrat candidate won the south in every election except one. They could also rely on support from the industrial northeast, partly from business but especially from blue collar workers and recent immigrants. Also, in the 1890s, they won a lot of support from small farmers in the west
Era of weak presidents - political balance
Even balance between the 2 parties. Close election battles between Cleveland and Harrison in 1884, 1888, and 1892. Relatively little difference between them in policy and ideology, they both supported conservative financial ideas of sound money backed by the gold standard. Cleveland won in 1892 and it seemed likely that politics would continue as usual, but the 1890s were turbulent with strikes, the panic, depression and the rise of populism. Democrats became more radical and divided and so the republicans, pro business and revitalised, took power In 1896.
What is populism?
Belief in the power of regular people, and in their right to have control over their government rather than a small group of political insiders or a wealthy elite. A reaction to the politics of big business in the gilded age. People felt left out of politics so it was an attempt to appeal what people wanted and needed.
First appeared as a party at state level in 1890 and gained support in the south, western plains and Rocky Mountains.
Omaha platform
1892- populists set out their manifesto. Their candidate, Weaver, didn’t do well but polled 1 million votes. They aimed to fight corruption in government and the legal system and save the nation from moral, political and material ruin. They wanted to - regulate railways and freight prices so farmers had fair prices to transport
Tax wealthy more as main source of government income, Graduate income tax
Direct election of senators for Congress to avoid corruption
8 hour working day, was often 12 hours
Alter the basis of currency from gold to silver (free silver)
Opportunity for farmers and settlers to acquire land from corporations and foreigners
What was free silver?
The end of the gold standard and unlimited use of silver to increase the money supply. Saw the gold standards as the main reason for the depressed rural economy. Wanted more money to be available cheaply to make loans available and debts easier to pay. Some believe in bimetalism, where both would circulate
Why did populist emerge?
United farmers, working class and supporters of silver. Opposed big business and high tariffs. Many were in debt and so inflation would help.
Agricultural discontent -
Mechanisation and increasing competition in European markets from Australia, Russia and Canada.
Overproduction- farmers producing more.
Glut of agricultural produce on the world market (grain rots so they have to sell it when it’s fresh). Caused prices to fall as producers tried to sell at any price
Falling prices in wheat and cotton - 1890, wheat as $1.60, 60 cent later
Poor harvests due to weather in 1880s
Increase in price of manufactured goods and high interest on loans
Success at national and state level
National- democrats were forced into some action
1890 Sherman anti trust act - banned interstate trusts t ensure fair competition
1887 interstate commerce act - outlawed restrictive monopolies
1887 interstate commerce commission - railroads had to publish their rates and commission could investigate and regulate companies
State -
By early 1900s, over 400 urban councils formed
Senators were elected rather than appointed by state legislatures - 17 amendment 1915
Political impact of populism
Seemed sudden but had deep roots through Granger movement, Knights of Labour, and farmers alliances.
Won 42% of the vote in 1894 mid term congressional elections.
Democrats - weakened party
Panic of 1893 and the depression after weekend them. also became more divided after the poor showing in 1894 mid term elections. Cleveland an his Bourbon Democrats stuck to traditional laissez faire economics and keeping the gold standard, and in 1895 got backing from JP Morgan who lent the government $62 million to prop up gold reserves.
Democrats and populism - joined forces
Unable to defeat populism, democrats joined forces with it, and adopted the free silver, after the silverites won the debate at the National Nominating Convention, and it then gave presidential nomination to William Jennings Bryan. Some populists felt betrayed and wanted their own candidate, but it would have meant Republican victory, so they endorsed him. However, Bryan lost to McKinley, with 176 compared to 273 votes. Populism didn’t recover, and by 1900, membership fell and activists retired or joined a major party. 1896 began the Republican dominance.
Republican support
Fewer African American voters, main support came from big business and the urban workers who did well when industrialisation rose. Republicans usually supported high tariffs and protectionist economies.
Campaigns for the 1896 election
Bryan relied on his oratory, making numerous stop o tour by train, making 600 speeches to enthusiastic crowds.
McKinley did not need to make tours as he has money. Behind his presidency was a modern political machine, oiled by millions of dollars and driven by a political strategist, Mark Hanna. He was a rich businessmen, politician who knew about patronage and a brilliant fundraiser. The campaign spent around $7million and sent 1,500 speakers to electoral areas with undecided voters, and has volunteers sending letters to voters
Other advantages of republicans over democrats
Democrats were divided. The eastern conservatives who had backed Cleveland were lukewarm in supporting Bryan. Outside the south and west, people were suspicious about free silver and not sure it would work. McKinley’s promises to introduce a high protective tariff and keep the gold standard were better received than Bryan’s approach. McKinley won by 600,000 votes
Republicans as the natural party of the government
Close links between republicans and businesses underpinned a series of electoral victories down to 1912. Democrats were still weak after 1896 election, Bryan symbolised the divisions between the anti - urban wing of the party and the Bourbon Democrats who’d backed Cleveland. Bryan was defeated again in 1900 and 1908.
1896 election shows the resilience of the 2 parties politics, as populism fell as quickly as it grew, and virtually ceased to exist by 1908, became just a strand of Democratic Party. Progressivism replaced populism as the movement of reform.
Republican success after the election
At McKinley’s inauguration in March 1897, Republican conservatism was riding high. They held the presidency and had large majorities in the house and senate. For the first time, they had won without dependence on the black vote of the south. Democrats were still weakened by internal divisions, populism was fading. The economy was growing. McKinley filled his administration with wealthy men and set our business friendly policies, doing nothing to prevent the consolidation of business into corporations.
Presidency of McKinley- policies
Maintained the protective tariff - Dingley Tariff Act 1897 pushed them to higher levels
Believer of gold standard- strengthened by Alaska Yukon Gold Rush 1897-99, where gold increased in circulation
1900 Currency Act committed the US to maintain gold standard
McKinley and the Spanish American war
Strengthened his position. He was not keen on an expansionist policy but a lot of republicans were, and he was happy to bask in the glow of the military and naval successes in Cuba and pacific. In 1900, he adopted Roosevelt, a hero of the war, as his vice president, but they clashed sometimes - significant differences in age, personality and belief, but they were a strong team to defeat Bryan.
Roosevelt’s presidency
Took over after McKinley was assassinated. Most receive the vice president title in the case of the president dying and having to stand in. Most receive it to balance the ticket. So Roosevelt was viewed with suspicion, and even hostility by McKinley supporters. He was younger, more radical and more ready to take an interventionist approach than men in McKinley’s circle. Conservative republicans were suspicious of him even though he proved to be popular and successful. Hanna planned to challenge him for Republican presidency in 1904 but he died before. Sympathy with progressivism
What was progressivism?
Most important influence on politics between 1900 and 1917. Angry, idealistic reaction against the perceived evils of monopoly capitalism, put forward by muckrakers and reform minded politicians. Want social and political reform and new, liberal ideas. Tackle corruption and abuses. Urban, middle class and national. Demands to regulate business, want women’s rights, higher standards of public morality, protection of workers, protection of the environment
What were muckrakers?
Journalists or individuals who write or talk about problems in American society. Example - The Jungle by Sinclair. Portrayed the harsh conditions of workers, however, more readers were concerned with the unsanitary production of meat. Ida Tarbell wrote the History of the Standard Oil Company, exposing blackmail, bribes of robber barons.
Why did progressivism emerge?
Economy - high unemployment in industrial cities at 12%. Business cut wages to sustain profits, banks collapsed so lost savings.
Social - poverty, poor living in overcrowded cities, 72 hours work a week, no welfare
Media - press played a role in exposing corruption from 1902
Big business - powerful so need to regulate, monopolies fix prices
