Period 6 1865-1900 2/19+20/2025 Flashcards
Who was the Populist candidate in the Election of 1892?
James Weaver from Iowa
How many votes did James Weaver win in the Election of 1892?
1 million votes
How many electoral votes did the Populist candidate win in the Election of 1892?
22 electoral votes
In which regions did the Populist ticket lose badly in the Election of 1892?
The South
What demographic group did the Populist Party fail to attract in the North during the Election of 1892?
Urban workers
What was the fear of conservative southern Democrats during the Election of 1892?
Populists uniting poor blacks & whites
What techniques did conservative southern Democrats use to disenfranchise voters?
Every technique possible
What was a major reason for the Populist Party’s loss in the Election of 1892?
Focus on farming issues
Who were the major candidates in the Election of 1892?
President Harrison and former President Cleveland
Who won the Election of 1892?
Former President Cleveland
What was notable about Cleveland’s victory in the Election of 1892?
He won a solid victory in both the popular and electoral vote
What contributed to Cleveland’s victory in the Election of 1892?
Unpopularity of the high-tax McKinley Tariff
What historic achievement did Cleveland accomplish in the Election of 1892?
First and only former president to return to the White House after leaving
What economic event occurred shortly after President Cleveland took office?
The Panic of 1893
This event marked one of the worst and longest depressions in U.S. history.
What was a major cause of the stock market crash in 1893?
Over-speculation
This led to significant financial instability and contributed to the overall economic downturn.
What happened to many railroads during the Panic of 1893?
Dozens of railroads went into bankruptcy due to overbuilding
The overexpansion of railroads was unsustainable and contributed to the economic crisis.
How long did the depression following the Panic of 1893 last?
Almost four years
The economic struggles persisted well into the late 1890s.
What was the unemployment rate during the Panic of 1893?
20% of the workforce
This high unemployment rate reflected the severe economic conditions of the time.
What did many people rely on during the Panic of 1893?
Soup kitchens and riding the rails as hoboes
This indicates the level of desperation faced by many individuals during the depression.
How did President Cleveland’s approach to the economy change after the 1880s?
He became more conservative and adopted a hands-off policy
This shift in policy was evident in his response to the economic crisis.
What monetary standard did President Cleveland champion during the Panic of 1893?
The gold standard
Cleveland believed in maintaining the gold standard to stabilize the economy.
What event encouraged investors to trade their silver dollars for gold dollars?
A decline in silver prices
This shift was significant in the context of the gold standard and its impact on the economy.
What happened to the gold reserve held by the U.S. Treasury?
It fell to a dangerously low level
This situation raised concerns about the stability of the U.S. dollar.
What action did President Cleveland take in response to the low gold reserve?
Repealed the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890
This act was initially intended to increase the amount of silver in circulation.
Did the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act stop the gold drain?
No, it failed to stop the gold drain
The economic situation continued to worsen despite this repeal.
Who did President Cleveland turn to for borrowing gold to support the dollar?
J.P. Morgan
This decision illustrated the reliance on wealthy bankers during financial crises.
How much gold did Cleveland borrow from J.P. Morgan?
$65 million
This borrowing was crucial to stabilize the gold standard at that time.
What was the public perception of the government after the deal with J.P. Morgan?
Many Americans believed the government was a tool of rich eastern bankers
This perception fueled distrust in the government and its financial dealings.
What action did President Cleveland take during the Pullman Strike in 1894?
Used court injunctions and federal troops to crush the strike
This action further alienated workers and labor movements from Cleveland.
What did the election of 1896 mark?
The beginning of a new era in America politics.
Namely the Modern Era of American Politics
What event caused conservatives to fear class war between capital and labor?
The worsening depression and the growing number of jobless people
This fear was particularly heightened by the actions of Coxey’s Army.
Who led Coxey’s Army and what was their main demand?
Jacob Coxey led Coxey’s Army, demanding $500 million for public works programs to create jobs
Jacob Coxey was a Populist from Ohio.
What happened to Coxey and other protest leaders during the march?
They were arrested for trespassing
Following their arrest, the dejected ‘army’ left for home.
What was the title of the book by William Harvey published in 1894?
‘Coin’s Financial School’
This book presented economic lessons and was illustrated with cartoons.
What conspiracy did ‘Coin’s Financial School’ suggest was the cause of Americans’ troubles?
A conspiracy of rich bankers
The book claimed that prosperity would return if the government coined silver in unlimited quantities.
Fill in the blank: Coxey’s Army marched to Washington in _______.
1894
True or False: ‘Coin’s Financial School’ taught that the economic troubles were due to a lack of government spending.
False
It attributed troubles to a conspiracy of bankers.
How much money did Coxey’s Army demand the federal government spend on public works?
$500 million
What were the two factions within the Democrats in 1896?
Gold Democrats and pro-silver Democrats
Gold Democrats were loyal to President Cleveland, while pro-silver Democrats were seeking a leader.
Where did the Democratic national convention take place in 1896?
Chicago
The convention occurred in the summer of 1896.
Who captured the delegates’ hearts at the 1896 Democratic convention?
William Jennings Bryan
He delivered a powerful speech that made him the Democratic nominee for president.
What was the key phrase from Bryan’s speech at the 1896 convention?
You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns, you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold
This speech emphasized the opposition to the gold standard.
At what age did William Jennings Bryan become the Democratic nominee for president?
36
His nomination followed his impactful speech at the convention.
What did the Democratic platform in 1896 favor regarding silver?
Unlimited coinage of silver at a ratio of 16 ounces of silver to one ounce of gold
This was considered inflationary compared to the market price of about 32 to 1.
What issue did the Democrats take over from the Populist platform?
The leading issue of free silver
This shift indicated a merging of interests between the two groups.
What did the conservative faction of Democrats do in response to Bryan and free silver?
Formed the National Democratic Party or voted Republican
This faction was unhappy with Bryan’s stance on free silver.
Who was the Republican nominee for president known for supporting a high protective tariff?
William McKinley
McKinley was from Ohio and regarded as a friend of labor.
Who was the financial power behind McKinley’s nomination and campaign?
Mark Hanna
Hanna was a successful businessman who made a fortune in business.
What event did Republicans blame on the Democrats leading up to McKinley’s campaign?
The Panic of 1893
This blame was part of the Republicans’ strategy to gain support.
What promise did Republicans offer to the people after blaming the Democrats?
A strong and prosperous industrial nation
This was aimed at garnering support for their platform.
What key economic policy did the Republican platform propose?
A high tariff to protect industry
This was part of their strategy to support domestic industries.
What monetary standard did the Republicans uphold in their platform?
The gold standard
They opposed unlimited coinage of silver.
What was done for the first time during the campaigning during the 1896 election?
It was the first time the campaigning candidate would travel to make speeches
What the opposite of a silverite?
Gold bug
How many miles did Bryan travel during his campaign?
18,000 miles
This extensive travel was part of his effort to connect with voters.
How many speeches did Bryan give during his campaign?
More than 600 speeches
His speeches played a crucial role in rallying support.
What key issue did Bryan advocate for that resonated with farmers and debtors?
Unlimited coinage of silver
This issue was seen as a solution to their financial struggles.
Who did most of the campaigning work for McKinley?
Mark Hanna
Hanna was instrumental in shaping McKinley’s campaign strategy.
From whom did Mark Hanna raise millions of dollars for the Republicans?
Business leaders
This financial support was critical for campaign efforts.
What method did Hanna use to promote McKinley?
Mass media (newspapers, magazines)
This approach helped to enhance McKinley’s visibility.
What type of campaign did William McKinley conduct?
Front-porch campaign
This method allowed him to engage with supporters safely.
What were the two issues that hurt Bryan in the last weeks of the campaign?
- A rise in wheat prices
- Employers threatening factory shutdowns if Bryan was elected
These factors decreased the urgency of Bryan’s message.
In which regions did McKinley carry the vote on Election Day?
All of the Northeast & upper Midwest
His success in these regions contributed to his overall victory.
What was the popular vote count between McKinley and Bryan?
McKinley: 7.1 million, Bryan: 6.5 million
This reflects McKinley’s decisive win in the election.
What was the electoral vote count in the election?
McKinley: 271, Bryan: 176
The electoral vote further underscores McKinley’s victory.
What economic condition did McKinley experience upon taking office?
The economy began to revive.
What event in 1897 contributed to an increase in the money supply under the gold standard?
Gold discoveries in Alaska.
What were the effects of the economic revival during McKinley’s presidency?
- Farm prices rose
- Factory production increased
- The stock market climbed
What significant legislation did Republicans enact during McKinley’s presidency?
The Dingley Tariff of 1897.
What was the purpose of the Dingley Tariff?
To increase the economy domestically.
What standard was made official in U.S. currency by 1900?
Gold standard.
How was McKinley regarded as a president?
Generally well-liked and well-traveled.
What was McKinley’s role during the war with Spain in 1898?
He helped to make the United States a world power.
What were the short-term and long-term consequences of the Election of 1896?
It had significant consequences on American politics, marking the end of the stalemate and stagnation of the Gilded Age.
What did the defeat of Bryan and the Populist free-silver movement signify?
It initiated an era of Republican dominance of the presidency.
How did the Republican Party’s identity change after the Election of 1896?
It shifted from being the party of ‘free soil, free labor, & free men’ to the party of business, industry, and a strong national government.
What was the status of the Democratic Party following the Election of 1896?
The Democrats continued as the sectional party of the South and hosted whatever Populist sentiment remained.
True or False: The Election of 1896 led to a period of Democratic dominance.
False
Fill in the blank: The Election of 1896 marked the end of the _______ and stagnation that characterized politics in the Gilded Age.
stalemate
What year did the Populist Party begin to decline?
1896
What happened to the Populist Party after 1896?
It ceased to be a national party
Who were the Populist leaders in the South mentioned in the text?
Thomas Watson & other Populist leaders
What did Populist leaders discover about racism in relation to economic interests?
Racism was stronger than common economic interests
Fill in the blank: The Populist Party declined after _______.
1896
True or False: The Populist Party succeeded in uniting poor whites and blacks in the South.
False
What year did the Populist Party begin to decline?
1896
What happened to the Populist Party after 1896?
It ceased to be a national party
Who were the Populist leaders in the South mentioned in the text?
Thomas Watson & other Populist leaders
What did Populist leaders discover about racism in relation to economic interests?
Racism was stronger than common economic interests
Fill in the blank: The Populist Party declined after _______.
1896
True or False: The Populist Party succeeded in uniting poor whites and blacks in the South.
False
What was the outcome of the election in terms of urban centers?
A clear victory for big business, urban centers, conservative economics, & moderate, middle-class values
What did the election represent for rural America?
The last hope of rural American to reclaim its former dominance in American politics
Which values were said to triumph over rural ideas in the election?
The values of modern industrial & urban America
Fill in the blank: The election marked the triumph of the values of modern industrial & urban America over the _______.
rural ideas of Jefferson & Jackson
True or False: The election was favorable for rural American values.
False
Who is considered the master of high-finance politics?
Mark Hanna
Mark Hanna created a model for organizing and financing successful political campaigns.
What was the focus of Mark Hanna’s campaign model?
Winning favorable publicity in the mass media
This approach emphasized the importance of media coverage in politics.
Who emerged as the first modern president of the United States?
McKinley
McKinley is recognized for his active leadership and engagement in international affairs.
What significant change did McKinley bring to U.S. foreign policy?
Transformed the U.S. from relative isolation to a major player in international affairs
This shift marked a turning point in U.S. involvement on the world stage.
