Chapter 7 Flashcards
What was the republican dominance
Between 1868 and 1932, Grover Cleveland and Woodrow Wilson were the only two democrats to interup the long chain of republican presidents that stretched from Ulysses grant to Hubert hoover
What was the significance of progressivism in 1912
Progressivism had become the central issue in American pollitics a new national progressive party was formed, progressivism deeply divided the republicans and caused the revival of the democrats under Cleveland
What support did democrats have
They had a stronghold on the south and in the northeast especially from blue collar workers and recent immigrants.
How did democrat support change during the 1890s
The democrats won a lot of support from small farmers in western states.
What were the similarities between Harrison and Cleveland
Supported policies of sound money backed by gold standard
What is gold standard
A system of finance that maintains the value of the currency by tying the currency to a fixed price backed by gold reserves.
What was the criticism of the gold standard
Opponents claimed that it harmed the economy by restricting the amount of money in circulation.
What was the populist view on gold standard
They saw the gold standard as the main reason for the depressed rural economy. They wanted more money to be available more cheaply go make more loans available and debts easier to pay.
What was the key question in elections regarding the Democratic Party?
Which Democratic candidate would be nominated
What was a significant factor in the Democratic Party’s support during the 1890s?
Support from small farmers in the Western states
What characterized the political balance between parties in the era of weak presidents?
Very even, shown by close election battles
What financial policy did both Grover Cleveland and Benjamin Harrison support?
Conservative financial policies of sound money backed by the gold standard
What event in the 1890s led to a revitalized Republican Party?
The turning point election of 1896
What was Populism first known as?
The People’s Party
When did the Populists set out their manifesto?
In the Omaha Platform in July 1892
What was a central theme of the Omaha Platform?
The need to fight corruption in government
What economic system did Populists criticize as harmful to the rural economy?
The gold standard
What alternative monetary policy did Populists advocate?
Free silver or bimetallism
What were some demands of the Populists?
- Government ownership of the railroads
- Acquisition of land from corporations and foreigners
- Graduated income tax
- Currency not controlled by private bankers
- Free silver
Which protest movements contributed to the rise of Populism?
- Patrons of Husbandry (The Grange)
- Various Farmers’ Alliances
- Knights of Labor
Who was a key leader of the Populist movement?
William Jennings Bryan
What year did William Jennings Bryan first run for president?
1896
What was the outcome of Bryan’s presidential bid in 1896?
He lost narrowly
What economic challenges faced the Democratic Party after the 1894 mid-term elections?
A depression and weakened party showing
What did the ‘Bourbon Democrats’ focus on?
Maintaining the gold standard and aligning with business interests
What amount did bankers lend the government to support Cleveland’s administration?
$62 million
What was the slogan associated with the Populist movement?
For the people, by the people
True or False: Some Populists felt betrayed by Bryan’s nomination.
True
Fill in the blank: Populism first appeared as a political party at the _______ level in 1890.
state
What was the result of the 1896 election
Wjb lost
What year did William Jennings Bryan gain the Democratic nomination to run for president?
1896
List five reasons why William Jennings Bryan gained the Democratic nomination in 1896.
- Charismatic oratory
- Strong support for free silver
- Ability to mobilize enthusiastic crowds
- Opposition to the gold standard
- Effective campaign strategies
Which political party was dominant in the election of 1896?
Republican Party
True or False: By 1890, the Republican Party had maintained the same structure as in the time of Abraham Lincoln.
False
What was the primary demographic focus of politics by 1890?
White voters
What campaigning strategy did William Jennings Bryan use during the 1896 election?
Whistle stop tours by train
Who was the Republican candidate in the 1896 presidential election?
William McKinley
Fill in the blank: Mark Hanna was a master political strategist and _______.
fundraiser
What was the approximate amount spent by the McKinley campaign in 1896?
$7 million
Which two states were crucial battlegrounds for the McKinley campaign?
- Ohio
- Wisconsin
What was the result of the 1896 presidential election in terms of popular vote percentages?
McKinley: 57% vs. Bryan: 51%
What concept does the term ‘ticket’ refer to in American presidential elections?
The pairing of candidates nominated for presidency and vice-presidency
How did the Democratic Party’s internal divisions affect Bryan’s campaign?
It weakened support for Bryan among Eastern conservatives
What was a major consequence of the 1896 election?
Republican dominance in politics
Fill in the blank: Populism began to fade after the _______ election.
1896
What did Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency signify in terms of Republican politics?
Suspicion from conservative backers
What major factor contributed to the Republican Party’s electoral success after 1896?
Close links with big business
What did McKinley promise that appealed to voters in 1896?
- High protective tariff
- Maintenance of the gold standard
What was the fate of the People’s Party after the 1896 election?
It lost its separate identity and virtually ceased to exist by 1908
True or False: Bryan was successful in all his presidential campaigns.
False
What was the political climate at McKinley’s inauguration in March 1897?
Republican conservatism was riding high
What key question does the text raise about the role of individuals in politics?
How important was the role of key individuals and how were they affected by developments?
What were the divisions within the democrats
The eastern conservatives were lukewarm in support of Bryan
People were suspicious of free silver
McKinley’s promises were better recieved
What was the significance for republicans in the 1896 election.
First election won without the black vote
Who was William McKinley?
William McKinley (1843-1901) was a U.S. president, a supporter of high tariffs and the gold standard.
What significant act did McKinley introduce in 1900?
The Currency Act, committing the US to maintain the gold standard.
What event helped strengthen McKinley’s political position?
The Spanish-American War.
Who was McKinley’s vice president during his second term?
Theodore Roosevelt.
What happened to McKinley on September 6, 1901?
He was shot by Leon Czolgosz.
When did McKinley die after being shot?
On September 14, 1901.
Who became the youngest-ever American president after McKinley’s assassination?
Theodore Roosevelt, at the age of 42.
How many American presidents have been assassinated in office before McKinley?
Two: Abraham Lincoln and James Garfield.
What was a significant characteristic of Theodore Roosevelt’s political style?
He was bombastic and prone to self-advertisement.
What was Progressivism?
A movement reacting against monopoly capitalism, advocating for social and political reform.
Name two themes linked to Progressivism.
- Attacks on political corruption
- Demands to regulate business
What did Roosevelt promise regarding business practices?
To regulate business effectively and limit its excesses.
What did Roosevelt refer to as the ‘bully pulpit’?
The power of the presidency to appeal directly to the people.
Fill in the blank: Roosevelt was less anti-business than he seemed; he believed big business was essential for _______.
[national prosperity]
Who was John D. Rockefeller?
A wealthy businessman worth $200 million in 1901, became the world’s first billionaire by 1913.
What was one of Roosevelt’s significant actions during the great coal strike of 1902?
He mediated a settlement, taking on mine owners.
What was the Dingley Tariff Act of 1897?
An act that pushed tariff rates to even higher levels.
Who played a significant role in the mergers that created General Electric and US Steel?
J. Pierpont Morgan
He was involved in the creation of General Electric in 1851 and US Steel in 1901.
What position did William Howard Taft hold before becoming President?
Governor General of the Philippines
Appointed by President McKinley in 1900.
During which years did William Howard Taft serve as President?
1909 to 1912
What act did Roosevelt enforce more vigorously than his predecessors regarding monopolies?
Sherman Antitrust Act
Which company was ordered to be broken up by the Supreme Court in 1904?
Northern Securities
What legislation was passed in 1906 to regulate railroad companies?
The Hepburn Act
What was the Panic of 1907?
A stock market collapse that nearly led to a depression
The government was bailed out by financiers led by J. Pierpont Morgan.
What was Theodore Roosevelt’s stance on presidential term limits?
He believed in limiting presidents to two terms.
What was one of Taft’s first decisions that pleased business interests?
Sacking Gifford Pinchot
What was the Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act?
An act setting high tariffs that angered reformers
How did Taft’s political style differ from Roosevelt’s?
Taft had a low-key approach compared to Roosevelt’s flamboyant style
Who led the rebellious Progressive wing of the Republican Party?
Senator Robert La Follette of Wisconsin
What was the outcome of the 1910 mid-term elections for the Democratic Party?
Unexpected successes in elections
What political party did Theodore Roosevelt run for in 1912?
National Progressive Party
What nickname was given to the National Progressive Party?
‘Bull Moose Party’
Named after Roosevelt’s declaration of being ‘as fit as a bull moose.’
Who was ‘Fighting Bob’ La Follette?
An experienced Republican politician and Governor of Wisconsin
He formed a new Progressive Party from 1910 to 1912.
What was the political relationship between Taft and Roosevelt after the 1912 convention?
They became bitter enemies
Fill in the blank: Taft’s presidency was marked by a retreat into a ________ attitude.
defensive
True or False: Taft was more popular among the Progressive Republicans than Roosevelt.
False
