Gilded Age Presidents

Question 1

What were Hayes’ policies and achievements?

Answer 1

• 1877-81 Republican
• push for Civil service reform and exam requirements in office
• Supported Specie Act of 1879 and Vetoed the Bland-Allison Act of 1878, both in support of B.B

Question 2

What limitations did Rutherford Hayes face?

Answer 2

• no one wanted spoils system changed as it benefited them, fighting own party
• Railroad strike of 1877

Question 3

What were Garfield’s policies and achievements?

Answer 3

• 1881
• tried to challenge corruption and continued on from Hayes reform of the post office
• Strengthened federal authority over the new york custom house

Question 4

What were Garfield’s limitations?

Answer 4

• assassinated in first year so unable to achieve much

Question 5

What were Arthur’s policies and achievements?

Answer 5

• Supported civil service reform
• Act of 1883 - first law to begin professional handling of civil service –> merit system
• Civil Service Commission= beginning of end of spoils system

Question 6

What limitations did Arthur face?

Answer 6

• He tried to lower tariff rates but Congress raised about as much as it trimmed

Question 7

What were Cleveland’s achievements and policies?

Answer 7

• Believed limited role fed. gov.
• 887 well known veto, Texas Seed Bill
• Continued to reform civil service
• not spoils system and kept good republicans

Question 8

What limitations did Cleveland face?

Answer 8

• faced a republican- dominated senate
• resorting to his veto powers to override them.
• Presidential elections were a “contest for power”

Question 9

What were Harrison’s achievements and policies?

Answer 9

• Not due to Harrison, but $1 billion on pork-barrel measures to improve harbours, rivers and transport systems.
• McKinley Tariff Act 1890
• The Sherman Antitrust Act tried to limit the power of the trusts.

Question 10

What limitations did Harrison face?

Answer 10

• Mckinley, a powerful chairman, and Thomas Reed- speaker of the house - Reed passed rules increasing his power as speaker -> helps get Rep legislation passed.

Question 11

Why was politics in this time criticised?

Answer 11

• excessive corruption in policitcal life, politicians selfish and have economic personal interests
• few differences between Rep. and Dem.

Question 12

Why were the presidents in this time criticised?

Answer 12

• political stagnation impression left
• presidents thought themselves as administrators not leaders
• poor in purpose and barren in results –> Henry Adams