3.5 – Politics and Reform

1. 3.5 – Politics and Reform • This section takes a look at politics and issues happening in the United States at the same time as all of the other topics we’ve studied (industrialization, urbanization, child labor, Social Gospel, Philanthropy...etc.)

2. Cleaning Up Politics • Spoils System- gov’t jobs went to supporters of winning party in election • Americans believed that spoils system prevented law makers from dealing with national issues • After Garfield’s assassination Congress passed the Pendleton Act – a civil service system with appointments of candidates based on examinations

3. Two Parties Neck and Neck • 1870’s-1880’s few new policies were introduced • There was a split in government power between the two main parties • Democrats controlled House • Republicans controlled Senate • Elections of 1876 & 1888 – a candidate lost the popular vote, but won the election • Presidents had to deal with a divided Congress and a party run by party bosses at the local level

4. Election of 1884 • Grover Cleveland (D) vs. James Blaine (R) • Voters focused on personal morals of the candidates • Cleveland told the truth about his illegitimate child and showed his honesty, which helped him keep votes • Cleveland won NY by less than 1,000 votes and won the election

6. Commerce, Trusts and Tariffs • Angry small businesses and farmers felt that the railroads were price gouging • Gov’t and courts felt corporations were like individuals and shouldn’t be interfered with • Public pressure forced Congress to pass the Interstate Commerce Act – created ICC to regulate interstate commerce • Many felt high tariffs could now be lowered. Pres. Cleveland proposed lowering them- passed the Dem. House, but not the Rep. Senate

7. Republicans Regain Power • Election of 1888 gave Rep. all 3 parts of gov’t. • Passed McKinley Tariff – lowered some taxes and raised rates on other goods • This lowered gov’t revenue and transformed the nation’s budget surplus into a deficit • Congress passed Sherman Anti-Trust act (public wanted it) but it was so vague that the courts said they couldn’t enforce it = no real reform

8. Populism: Unrest in Rural America • Farmers were having trouble – surplus crops, low prices, high taxes on imported goods… • They embraced populism- movement to increase farmers’ political power and to work for legislation in their interest • Wide change in money supply and types of currency created deflation = prices down & money increased in value. This hit farmers hard

9. Populism: Unrest in Rural America • Some farmers tried to use co-ops to force prices up • States passed Granger Laws setting maximum rates and prohibiting railroads from charging more for short hauls than long hauls.

10. Farmers’ Alliance • Lack of success in co-ops and Grange • Some members formed the People’s Party or the Populist Party and decided to nominate candidates for Congress and State legislatures

11. Rise in Populism • People’s Party had some success in the election of 1890 • Also were able to demand help w/ deflation – Sherman Silver Act = moderate help • By 1891 party began working to endorse and run candidate for President • By 1892 Southern farmers had also reached the point where they were willing to leave Democratic Party for the People’s Party

13. A Populist for President • Populist Platform: federal ownership of Railroads, graduated income tax, 8- hour work days, restrict immigration, denounce strike breaking • Graduated income tax- More you make-the more you pay • Populist candidate did well, but Grover Cleveland won • Panic of 1893 – railroads and other companies declared bankruptcy, stock market crashed, banks closed. • 1894 – country was in depression w/ 18% unemployment (10% today in US)

14. Election of 1896 • Dems blamed for economic crisis & Reps promised a “full dinner pail”

15. Election of 1896 27.McKinley’s reputation for moderation on labor issues & tolerance toward ethnic groups helped improve party image w/ urban workers and immigrants • McKinley won solidly • While in office, economy turned around & Populist Party eventually died out

16. Classwork/Homework • Read pages 279-281 on your own and complete questions 28-39. • These questions will be due for a stamp tomorrow when you come to class.

17. Rise of Segregation: Resistance and Repression • African Americans were free, but poor. • Many African Am. eventually left farming to take jobs in Southern towns or go west to claim homesteads • Some farmers created Colored Farmers’ National Alliance. Dems feared this party would gain strength, so Dem leaders scared poor white farmers into staying • Election officials also began using various methods to make it harder for Africa Am. to vote

18. Disenfranchising African Americans • Loopholes around the 15th amendment • Poll tax - $2 • Property ownership • Literacy test – read and understand state const. • Led to a huge drop in African Am. voters and poor whites • Grandfather Clause – if your grandfather voted – you can vote – aimed at poor whites

19. Legalizing Segregation • Segregation- separation of races • Jim Crow Laws – enforcing legal segregation • Civil Rights Act of 1875 prohibited keeping people out of public places based on race • SC overturned the Act in 1883. Said the 14th only required “states” to give equal protection- not private businesses like railroads, , hotels, theatres were free to practice segregation

20. Legalizing Segregation • This opened the way for virtually all things to be separate • Railroad cars, dining halls, water fountains • Homer Plessy contended the law requiring him to ride in separate RR car • SC: Plessy vs. Ferguson ok to have separate but equal facilities • Usually far from equal – usually inferior

25. African American response • Increased violence in South – lynchings • Ida B. Wells fought against lynchings • She felt lynchings were due to both greed and racial prejudice • Booker T. Washington proposed to concentrate on achieving economic goals rather than legal or political ones.