Republican Dominance 1890-1920 Flashcards
Possible essay question: “the rise of populism was the main reason for Democrat failure 1890-1912” Give 2 other possible reasons
Key Republicans
Progressive policies
What was populism’s main aims?
Regulation of monopolies, railroads, farm prices
Free silver - add silver to money supply
Government to be less influenced by big business
What was the state of the Democratic party in the 1890s?
The president, Cleveland, was known as ‘bourbon democrat’ supporting laissez faire and the Gold Standard. had presided over some economic issues like the panic of 1893 and the Haymarket Square Riot 1886 which shown him to be on the side of big business. Also he took a loan of $62 million from JP Morgan.
Why was populism such a threat to the Democrat party? (who supported them?)
Because it represented the ‘little man’ in society - largely farmers who had been part of the Granger Movement and were angry at the falling price of cotton by 80% - agriculture was a key part of the solid south vote
Who was the key figure in the populist movement?
William Jennings Bryan - a democrat congressman.
How could it be argued Populism wasn’t that much of a problem for the Democrats?
In 1896 when Jennings Bryan ran as the Democratic presidential candidate it served a death blow to the movement as it had been absorbed by the main party - meaning by incorporating populism they had removed it completely by 1908. However they lost all the elections until 1912 so there must have been something else
Why was Populism and Jennings Bryan damaging for the democrats?
It caused a split in the party between people in the North and East who had supported Cleveland and pro-business and the south and west who were more supportive of Bryan’s radical ideas.
Where did progressivism originate from/what sparked it? - 3 possible things
The recession/panic of 1893 (led to poorer benefits, living conditions etc)
Dissatisfaction with the main two parties
People disliking the power of big business
All of these are connected.
What were the main political aims of progressivism? - 4 aims
Giving women the vote - NAWSA
Making senators more accountable by directly electing them
Reforming towns and cities run by corrupt mayors
Giving federal government a greater role in regulating big business
What were the main social aims of progressivism? - 3 aims
Greater welfare benefits
Prohibition
Aiding African-Americans in the discrimination they faced
What were the main economic aims of progressivism? - 3 aims
Putting government in charge of banks and the stock market
Legislation to make trade unions have benefits and shorter working hours
Wanted change to silver coinage in order to reduce prices
However some Republicans weren’t progressive at all like McKinley? (Give 3 examples + when was he in office?)
1897-1901. (assassinated)
Increased tariff through Dingley-tariff Act which put tariff at 57% benefitting big business.
His campaign was backed by Mark Hanna who was a a master at manipulating patronage and fundraising meaning there was $7 million behind it.
He was a strong backer of the Gold standard which was aided by the Alaska-Yukon gold rush of 1897-99.
Name 5 progressive policies Roosevelt had while in office + when was he in office?
1901-1909.
Blocked the creation of Northern Securities which was a railroad monopoly.
Made 44 anti-trust prosecutions under the Sherman Anti-Trust Act 1890
Passed the Hepburn Act in 1906 to regulate railroads which included the maximum rate they could charge
Created the Department of Commerce - collected information and regulated inter-state commerce
Created 5 new national parks to stop big business exploiting those areas for resources
How could it be argued that Roosevelt wasn’t that progressive? - 4 examples
Very limited social reform
He got fewer anti-trust prosecutions than Taft who was more conservative
He didn’t reduce tariff
Didn’t adopt bimetallism
How could Taft be considered progressive? - 3 examples
He introduced a federal corporation tax
He had 80 anti-trust prosecutions
He introduced an 8 hour day for government employees
