U.S. History II - Politics, Farming, Empire, 1876–1900 - Quick Guides | History

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Study GuideU.S. History II–Politics, Farming, Empire, 1876–19001. Domestic PoliticsFrom the end of Reconstruction in the late 1870s to the early 1900s,Republicans and Democratshad very similar goals. Both parties generally supported business interests. Although thegovernment did take some steps to regulate railroads and large corporations (trusts), neither partyfocused much on the social and economic problems caused by rapid industrial growth and expandingcities.Most political debates during this time focused on issues that may seem ordinary today, such as:•Monetary policy(money and currency)•Civil service reform(how government jobs were filled)•Tariffs(taxes on imported goods)One major group that felt ignored wasfarmers. Because the federal government did little to helpagriculture, farmers began organizing and pushing for political change on their own.While domestic issues dominated much of this period,foreign policy became more important inthe late 1890s. In just a few years, the United States gained overseas territories in thePacific andthe Caribbean, turning the nation into a major world power.1.1A Closely Divided Political SystemPolitics during this era wereclosely balanced. Republicans controlled the presidency for most of theyears between1876 and 1900, but elections were usually very close. Winning candidates oftenreceivedless than 50 percent of the popular vote.Congress was usually divided:•Republicans often controlled theSenate•Democrats often controlled theHouse of RepresentativesThis balance existed becauseneither party had nationwide support.•Democratswere strongest in the “Solid South” (former Confederate states), parts of theborder states, and large northern cities. They were supported by recent immigrants,Catholics, and working-class voters, often mobilized by political machines.

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Study Guide•Republicanswere strongest in small towns, rural areas of the Midwest and New England,and among business leaders, the growing middle class, and African Americans (when theywere able to vote).Some states—such asNew York, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana—wereswing states, meaning theycould vote for either party in a presidential election.1.2Greenbacks, Gold, and Silver: The Money DebateAfter the Civil War, the U.S. monetary system wasconfusing and unstable. Several forms of moneycirculated at the same time:•Gold coins(such as double eagles and eagles)•Silver coins(dollars, half-dollars, quarters, dimes)•Greenbacks, paper money issued during the war•Bank notes printed by private banks, often without enough assets to back them upAs people looked for economic stability, two opposing views developed:•Supporters of limited moneywanted a smaller money supply to keep prices low andstabilize the economy.•Supporters of expanded moneywanted more money in circulation to help debtors—especially farmers—pay off loans and raise crop prices.The Fight Over SilverThe debate became intense after theCoinage Act of 1873, which stopped the minting of silverdollars. Supporters of silver called this law the“Crime of ’73.”In response:•TheGreenback Labor Partycalled for unlimited silver coinage.•Congress passed theBland-Allison Act (1878), requiring the government to buy silver eachmonth, though officials bought only the minimum amount.•TheSherman Silver Purchase Act (1890)increased silver purchases and allowed treasurynotes to be redeemed in gold or silver.Even with these laws, the money issue was not resolved and became themain issue in the 1896presidential election.

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Study Guide1.3Civil Service Reform: Ending the Spoils SystemMany Americans were angry about corruption in government, especially duringUlysses S. Grant’spresidency. At the time, government jobs were often filled using thespoils system, where thewinning party gave jobs to loyal supporters.Critics argued this system led to:•Inexperienced workers•Corruption•Inefficient governmentThe Republican Party split over reform:•Half-Breedssupported reform and ending the spoils system.•Stalwartswanted to keep patronage jobs.In1880, Republicans nominatedJames A. Garfield(a Half-Breed) for president andChester A.Arthur(a Stalwart) for vice president.After Garfield was assassinated by a frustrated office seeker, public outrage led to thePendletonCivil Service Act (1883). This law:•Created theCivil Service Commission•Required many government jobs to be filled throughcompetitive examsAlthough the law initially covered only a small number of jobs, later reforms expanded it and improvedthe quality of federal employees.1.4The Election of 1884 and Grover ClevelandIn1884, Republicans nominatedJames G. Blaine, whose reputation was damaged by corruptionscandals. Democrats nominatedGrover Cleveland, who had quickly risen from mayor of Buffalo togovernor of New York.The campaign was harsh:•Republicans accused Cleveland of fathering an illegitimate child; he admitted responsibilityand paid child support.

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