US 7: Politics - Republican Dominance 1890-1912 Flashcards
What political tensions and divisions existed prior to 1890?
> political system not fully yet formed but two main parties who were evolving in response to speed of economics growth and social change
> 1868-1932: Cleveland and Wilson only 2 democrats to interrupt long chain of Republican presidents
> political forces that aided change = Populism transformed Democrats + Progressivism for Republican party
What was the state of the political nation by this time?
American politics was not truly national, between 1867-1912 there were 12 new states admitted to the Union and six of them in 1889-90. These contained important new voters with different political priorities.
Who did the Democratic party rely on to win and why was this no longer effective?
> core of support from Solid South = in elections who nominated gave segregationist southerners a stranglehold on nationalist party
> also relied on industrial northeast (business, blue collar workers, immigrants + small farmers)
> until now, not much difference in ideology but 1890s w/ econ. depression, strikes and rise of populism = tense divisions
Define the reaction against big business in terms of national and state level?
The rise of Populism was a reaction against big business as small farmers, supporters of free silver etc. wanted more government intervention so that they’d lead more stable lives.
Define gold standard.
A monetary system in which the standard of currency is tied to a fixed weight of gold: favored by creditors who support a hard money policy. In 1900 continuation of the system was confirmed by the Gold Standard Act.
What was free silver?
Freely minted silver from the Treasury, independent of other nations, movement by the Silverites during the campaign of 1896
> populism obsessed with reformation as they thought gold standard was reason for depressed economy
What was the importance of the Omaha platform?
> where populist party set manifesto in July 1892 - theme fighting corruption
> to save from “moral, political and material ruin”
> ‘people are demoralised; newspapers are muzzled; public opinion silenced; labour impoverished; ownership of the land is concentrated in the hands of a few capitalists’.
What was populism, define its aims and explain its impact.
Aims:
government ownership of railroads, opportunities for farmers, graduated income tax, currency not controlled by private bankers, free silver
> deeper roots from 1870s protests e.g. patrons of husbandry, the grange, knights of labour + impact boosted by leadership of William Bryce
How did the panic of 1893 affect the Democratic party and what was their situation with the populist party?
> divided the party
> Cleveland + Bourbon Dems stuck to laissez faire economics/gold standard
> 1895 Cleveland got $62 million aid from JP Morgan -> opponents said “siding with money men of Wall Street”
= couldn’t beat Populism so they joined it -> adopted free silver in National Nominating Convention -> nomination of William Jenning Bryan
What led to the rise of the Republican party and who was William McKinley?
There were far fewer African-American voters and the South became a lost cause for them. They gained most support from big business, urban workers who benefitted from the rise of industrialism. They supported high tariffs and protectionist economics.
What happened in the election of 1896?
> Bryan depended on oratory, 600 deliveries of “cross of gold” speech
> McKinley used money aided by Mark Hanna, campaign used $7 million + also aided by fact that Dems were divided, eastern conservatives were unsure of Bryan, west and south were suspicious of silver
> McKinley promised high tariffs
= McKinley 57%, 47%
The 1896 results showed that Populism had withered away and lost its identity after joining the democrats.
Describe the key points about the presidency of William McKinley.
- he filled the admin. with the wealthy
- set out business friendly policies (didn’t stop consolidation of businesses into larger corporations)
- Tariff Act 1897
- increased gold circulation with Alaska-Yukon Gold Rush 1897-99
- Currency Act 1900
- didn’t like expansionist foreign policy but strengthened from Spanish-American War
- Re-elected with Roosevelt as VP 1900 to beat Bryan
- assassinated in 1901 (by German)
Who was Theodore Roosevelt and describe the main points about his presidency.
- took presidency after death of McKinley 1901 + met with hostiity because he was young (42)
- ‘that damned cowboy’ = more radical + interventionist -> supported Progressivism
- Hanna planned to challenge him in 1904 but died
- energetic style made him popular but was also a political realist and won 1904 because he was at peace with both sides
- some interpret him as a reactionary who supported reform to avoid revolution
- others see him as someone who popularised progressivism + criticise for being to cautious/radical
Why did Progressivism emerge?
Economic Issues: panic of 1893; high unemployment 12% for 90s; wage cuts; banks collapsed; agriculture failed
Social Issues: overcrowding; sewage systems; working conditions; no welfare system/compensation
Big Business: trusts too powerful; hosility to robber barons
Media Influence: newspaper circulation increase (1904 McClure’s + Collier’s 1 million); McClure exposed corruption with writers like Upton Sinclair ‘muckracking articles’
Fear Revolution: fear of socialism; TU violent strikes e.g. 1892 Steelworkers strike; middle-class professionals wanted stability
Aims of Progressivism
Political: changes to constitution (women’s rights, voting); gov. intervention; radical reform (manage towns controlled by corrupt); political party reform
Economic: regulate business; control banks, companies + stocks; legislation to ensure employed recognised; welfare state; free silver to raise prices for farmers
Social: 1890 NAWSA female emancipation; Anti-Saloon League 1893; help AA - treated as 2nd class citizens
