APUSH Chapter 20

Munn v. Illinois

Munn v. Illinois

Supreme Court ruling that upheld the constitutionality of Granger laws allowing states to regulate intrastate commerce.

Wabash v. Illinois

Supreme Court decision invalidating state laws regulating interstate commerce, asserting that only Congress could regulate business crossing state lines.

Farmer’s Alliances

Following the decline of the Granger movement, three groups known as the Alliances emerged, with the Northern Alliance dominant in wheat-growing states and the Southern Alliance comprising over a million white members. Black farmers formed the Colored Farmers' Alliance. Initially advocating for Granger laws at the state level, they later formed the National People's Party, or Populists, to further their objectives.

Mary Elizabeth Lease

Influential Populist speaker known for urging farmers to raise "less corn and more hell."

The People’s Party or Populists

Political party formed in 1892 by farmers advocating for free silver coinage, income tax, government ownership of utilities, and other reforms.

Omaha Platform

Document outlining the core beliefs of the Populist Party in 1892.

Coxey’s Army

Group led by Jacob Coxey demanding government employment for the unemployed during the Panic of 1893.

Pullman Strike

Labor strike in 1894 led by Eugene V. Debs against wage cuts by the Pullman Company, suppressed by federal troops.

Eugene V. Debs

Prominent labor leader and socialist who organized the American Railway Union and ran for president multiple times.

The Election of 1896

Presidential election where William McKinley defeated William Jennings Bryan, focusing on issues like free silver and the gold standard.

William Jennings Bryan’s Cross of Gold Speech

Bryan's influential speech advocating for abandoning the gold standard, leading to his Democratic nomination in 1896.

Evolution of the Populists

Transition of the Populist Party from a standalone political force to merging with the Democratic Party, based on championing common people's rights and opposing elite interests.

The Gilded Age

Mark Twain's term for the post-Civil War era characterized by corruption, conspicuous consumption, and the transformation of the US into an industrial society dominated by corporations.

Tammany Hall

Democratic political machine led by "Boss" Tweed, known for bribery, graft, and defrauding the city of millions.

Election of 1876

Controversial election between Hayes and Tilden, marked by corruption allegations and disputed electoral votes.

Panic of 1873

Global depression triggered by factors like post-Civil War inflation, land speculation, and the demonization of silver.

Civil Service or Merit System Reform

System appointing government officials based on qualifications rather than political connections, aiming to replace the spoils system.

Crédit Mobilier Scandal

Scandal involving the Union Pacific Railroad overcharging the government for construction, leading to bribery attempts and increased awareness of corruption.

Bloody Shirt Campaign

Republicans using Civil War animosities to win votes, exemplified by waving a bloodstained shirt in Congress.

Civil Rights Act of 1875

Legislation prohibiting racial discrimination in public places, later declared unconstitutional by the Civil Rights Cases of 1883.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Legal case establishing "separate but equal" facilities as constitutional, laying the foundation for Jim Crow laws.

The Redshirts and White League

Paramilitary groups intimidating voters post-Civil War, with the White League being the military branch of the Democratic Party in the South.

Spoils System

Practice of appointing government officials based on loyalty to the winning candidate, leading to calls for civil service reform.

The Compromise of 1877

Agreement giving Hayes the presidency in exchange for the removal of federal troops from the South.

“The Forgotten Presidents”

Presidents during the Gilded Age, including Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, Cleveland, and Harrison.

Stalwarts versus Half-Breeds

Republican factions divided over the spoils system and civil service reform.

The Assassination of James A. Garfield

Garfield, a Half-Breed president, assassinated by a Stalwart office-seeker.

Chester Arthur as President (1881-1885)

Arthur, a Stalwart, surprisingly supported civil service reform during his presidency.

The Pendleton Act (1883)

Legislation establishing a merit system for federal jobs and prohibiting compulsory campaign contributions.

The Election of 1884

Cleveland's victory over Blaine, aided by Republican divisions and Irish voter support.

Interstate Commerce Act (1887)

Legislation regulating railroads by forbidding rebates, charging more for short hauls, and requiring public posting of rates.

14th Amendment’s Application to Businesses

Supreme Court decision treating corporations as persons under the law, limiting government regulation.

McKinley Tariff (1890)

Tariff increase hurting farmers and leading to Republican losses in the House.

Other Notable Tariffs During the Gilded Age

Wilson-Gorman Tariff and Dingley Tariff, impacting tariff rates and income tax provisions.

Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890)

Legislation aiming to ban trusts but limited by vague definitions and Supreme Court interpretations.

Sherman Silver Purchase Act (1890)

Act increasing silver purchases for coinage, later repealed by Cleveland to combat inflation.

Crime of ‘73

Demonetization of silver leading to economic repercussions and inflation concerns.

Hard Money

Advocates for currency backed by gold, opposing inflation, typically creditors.

Soft Money

Advocates for paper currency not backed by gold, supporting inflation, usually debtors.

Greenbacks

Paper currency not backed by gold, subject to depreciation, issued during the Civil War.

Silverites

Advocates for paper currency backed by silver to increase inflation and money supply.

Free Silver Movement

Advocated unlimited coinage of silver in response to the demonetization of silver.

Bland-Allison Act of 1878

Authorized the government to purchase silver for coinage but had minimal impact.

Problems Facing American Farmers from 1870-1890

Mechanization pushed small farmers out, single-crop reliance led to price instability worsened by deflation and tariffs. Trusts hiked service rates, while natural disasters added to farmers' struggles.

Patrons of Husbandry (Grange)

Began as a social and educational platform for farmers but later concentrated on economic challenges like low crop prices and high transportation costs. They set up cooperatives and pushed for state laws to regulate rates, albeit with limited success.

Stock Watering

Inflating the value of rail assets to sell more stock, leading to excessive rates.

Pooling

Agreement among competing railroads to divide business, reducing competition and keeping rates high.