Age of Populism, Progressivism and Imperialism (1890-1920) Flashcards
1
Q
Republican Dominance
A
- 1868-1932: Grover Cleveland and Woodrow Wilson were the only 2 Democrats to interrupt the long chain of Republican Dominance from Grant to Hoover
- 1867-1912: 12 new states added to the Union
2
Q
Populism
A
- Appealed to ordinary people who felt that their concerns were ignored by the traditional ruling class
- Later absorbed by Democratic Party under the leadership of William Jennings Bryan
- Bryan unsuccessfully ran for presidency in 1896, 1900 and 1908
- Movement would centre around the campaign for free silver, public ownership of railways, 8 hour work day and direct election of US Senators
3
Q
Progressivism
A
- Eventually replaces Populism, embraced by Democrats and Republicans
- Longer lasting impact compared to Populism
- Wilson, Taft and Teddy Roosevelt known as ‘Progressive Presidents’
- Influenced politics, society, culture and moral values
- Against the evils of political corruption, monopoly capitalism, personified by the Robber Barons
- Demanded the regulation of businesses, breaking up cartels/trusts, workers rights, higher public morality (demand for prohibition)
- 1912: split in Republican Party, new Progress Party formed under Teddy Roosevelt, split Republican vote
4
Q
Imperialism
A
- 1890-1914: European-style traditional imperialism briefly appealed to the US ruling elite
- Culminates in the 1898 Spanish American War
- Motives for US imperialism: closing of Western Frontier, need for overseas markets for American businesses, particularly China/Far East, etc
- Roosevelt’s foreign policy would be associated with his ‘Big Stick’ policy
- Formal imperialism, brief trend before the more powerful isolationism
