Politics of Power and Protest

1
Politics of Power and Protest

• U. S. Political History, 1877-1900

2
Politics of Paradox

• Democrats and Republicans were about evenly
  matched
• Few new ideas on the national front
• Voter turnouts were high despite stalemate of
  divided government
• Major issues Civil Service Reform, Tariff,
  Monetary Policy, and Populist Revolt

3
Presidents

• Hayesbetter process for filling political
  appointments
• Garfieldshot by Charles Guiteau
• Arthurdespite ties to Roscoe Conklin, he did
  support the Pendleton Civil Service Act

• Clevelandran afoul of G. A. R. over Dependent
  Pensions
• HarrisonTariff of 1890 and Sherman Silver
  Purchase
• ClevelandDepression of 1893

4
Dead Presidents
5
Politics of Protest

• Populismrose out of Granger Movement and Farmers
  alliances
• Reflected frustration with problems in industrial
  capitalismrailroad rates, monetary policy, farm
  prices
• Farm Interests Merge with Labor in Populist Party
  in 1891

6
Populist Platform

• Free and unlimited coinage of silver
• 8 hour work day
• Nationalization of R. R. and public utilities
• Immigration Restriction (contract labor)

• Mechanics Lien Laws
• No Pinkertons as Strike Breakers
• Graduated Income Tax
• Postal Savings Banks

7
1896 Election

• Democrats carried 1892 election against
  Populists General Weaver
• 1893 Great Depression
• Monetary Policy key in 1896

• William McKinley and Republicans were wedded to
  Gold Standard
• Populists and Democrats fuse behind William
  Jennings Bryan

8
Bryan

• Let us not press down upon mankind, this crown
  of thorns let us not crucify mankind upon this
  cross of Gold.

9
1896 Election

• McKinley wins
• Klondike gold rush adjusts money supply
• Farm and Labor issues coopted by major parties