AQA A-level History - America 1865-1975 - politics 1890 to 1920

What was Populism, and how did it influence US politics in the 1890s?

Populism was a political movement advocating for radical reforms such as government ownership of railroads, a graduated income tax, and the "free silver" policy. The Populist Party emerged from grassroots movements like the Grange and Farmers' Alliances and was particularly strong in the South and Western Plains. Their ideas influenced the Democratic Party, particularly in the 1896 election when William Jennings Bryan adopted their key policies.

What were the key demands of the Populist Party?

The Omaha Platform (1892) outlined their demands:

• Government ownership of railroads

• Land reform to prevent monopolization by corporations

• A graduated income tax

• Free silver (unlimited coinage of silver to increase money supply)

• Ending private banker control over currency

Why was the 1896 election a political turning point?

The election saw a clear ideological divide between Democrats and Republicans. William Jennings Bryan campaigned on free silver, while Republican William McKinley, backed by business interests and strategist Mark Hanna, promoted the gold standard and high tariffs. McKinley's victory marked the beginning of Republican political dominance until 1912.

How did McKinley’s presidency (1896-1901) shape US politics?

McKinley reinforced Republican ties with big business. Key policies included:

• The Dingley Tariff Act (1897), raising tariffs

• The Gold Standard Act (1900), officially ending the free silver debate

• Expansionist foreign policy, culminating in the Spanish-American War (1898)

• Assassinated in 1901, leading to Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency

What was Progressivism, and how did it impact US politics?

Progressivism was a reform movement (1900-1917) aimed at regulating big business, reducing corruption, and expanding democracy. Unlike Populism, it had middle-class urban support. It led to the establishment of key government regulations and a split in the Republican Party.

How did Roosevelt’s presidency (1901-1908) reflect Progressive ideals?

Roosevelt expanded the power of the presidency and enacted reforms:

• Trust-busting: Used the Sherman Antitrust Act against monopolies (44 cases)

• Railroad regulation: Hepburn Act (1906) to limit railroad rates

• Consumer protection: Pure Food and Drug Act (1906) and Meat Inspection Act (1906)

• Conservation: Increased national parks and forest reserves

• Labor relations: Mediated the 1902 Coal Strike

How did Taft’s presidency (1908-1912) continue Progressive policies?

While less charismatic than Roosevelt, Taft:

• Filed more antitrust cases than Roosevelt

• Expanded conservation efforts

• Approved an 8-hour workday for federal employees

• However, his alignment with conservative Republicans led to a split in the party

Why did the Republican Party split in 1912?

Roosevelt challenged Taft, forming the National Progressive Party (Bull Moose Party). This divided the Republican vote, allowing Democrat Woodrow Wilson to win the presidency with only 42% of the vote.

How did Wilson’s “New Freedom” reforms reflect Progressivism?

Wilson enacted several major reforms:

• Underwood Tariff Act (1913): Lowered tariffs and introduced income tax

• Federal Reserve Act (1913): Established a central banking system

• Clayton Antitrust Act (1914): Strengthened regulations against monopolies

• Federal Trade Commission (1914): Monitored business practices

• Workers’ rights: 8-hour workday for railroad workers (Adamson Act, 1916)

What were the major constitutional amendments passed under Wilson?

16th Amendment (1913): Allowed Congress to levy an income tax

• 17th Amendment (1913): Direct election of US Senators

• 18th Amendment (1919): Prohibition of alcohol

• 19th Amendment (1920): Granted women the right to vote

What were the key tensions in US society between 1910-1920?

Ethnic tensions: Growing calls for immigrant assimilation

• Racial tensions: Great Migration led to conflicts in northern cities

• Moral tensions: Prohibition divided public opinion

• Political tensions: Debate over US involvement in World War I

How did Wilson win the 1916 election?

Wilson campaigned on the slogan "He kept us out of war," appealing to peace voters. The election was close, with Wilson winning by a narrow margin, securing support from progressives, labor unions, and rural farmers.

Why did the US enter World War I in 1917?

German unrestricted submarine warfare targeted American ships

• Economic ties to Britain and the Allies

• Zimmermann Telegram (1917): Germany proposed a military alliance with Mexico

What was the Omaha Platform (1892), and why was it significant?

The Omaha Platform was the manifesto of the Populist Party, calling for major reforms: government ownership of railroads, land reforms, a graduated income tax, and the free silver policy. It was significant as it challenged corporate dominance and influenced Democratic policies by 1896.

How did William Jennings Bryan influence the Democratic Party?

Bryan, a charismatic populist, adopted the free silver policy, aligning Democrats with Populist demands. His “Cross of Gold” speech (1896) condemned the gold standard. He energized rural voters but alienated urban workers and business elites.

Why did McKinley win the 1896 election?

Backed by big business and funded by Mark Hanna

• Pro-business, high tariff platform appealed to industrial workers

• Gold standard over free silver reassured financial markets

• Bryan’s radicalism alienated Northern and Eastern voters gaining him votes of people who would usually have voted democrat

How did the 1896 election impact the two-party system?

It marked Republican dominance until 1912. Populism was absorbed by the Democrats, ending it as an independent force. The election reinforced urban-rural political divisions, with cities backing Republicans and agrarian regions supporting Democrats.

What economic policies defined McKinley’s presidency?

Dingley Tariff Act (1897): Raised tariffs to protect US industries

• Gold Standard Act (1900): Officially ended the free silver debate

• Corporate-friendly policies: Strengthened ties between big business and government

How did McKinley’s foreign policy shape US expansionism?

Spanish-American War (1898): Gained control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines

• Annexation of Hawaii (1898)

• Open Door Policy (1899): Ensured US trade access to China

What was the significance of McKinley’s assassination (1901)?

Assassinated by Leon Czolgosz, an anarchist, in Buffalo, NY

• Marked the end of the Gilded Age conservative leadership

• Led to Theodore Roosevelt’s rise, shifting politics toward Progressivism

How did Roosevelt redefine the presidency?

He believed in the “bully pulpit”, using the presidency to push reforms. He expanded executive power, challenged monopolies, and regulated business practices.

Why was Roosevelt known as the “Trust Buster”?

Used the Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) to break up Northern Securities (1904)

• Filed 44 antitrust lawsuits, challenging powerful business combinations

• Set a precedent for federal regulation of corporations

What were Roosevelt’s key Progressive reforms?

Hepburn Act (1906): Strengthened regulation of railroad rates

• Pure Food and Drug Act (1906): Established safety standards

• Meat Inspection Act (1906): Improved food industry regulations

• Conservation policies: Expanded national parks and forest reserves

What was Roosevelt’s role in labor relations?

During the Coal Strike of 1902, he mediated between miners and owners, ensuring a 10% wage increase and reduced working hours. This was the first time a president sided with labor against big business.

Why was Taft’s presidency controversial among Progressives?

He raised tariffs (Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act) instead of lowering them

• Fired Gifford Pinchot, a key conservationist

• Favored conservative Republicans, alienating Progressives

How did Taft continue Progressive policies?

Filed twice as many antitrust lawsuits as Roosevelt

• Expanded conservation efforts

• Introduced mine safety laws and 8-hour workday for federal employees

What was the impact of the 1910 midterm elections?

Democrats gained control of the House of Representatives for the first time since 1894. Republican divisions weakened the party, setting the stage for Roosevelt’s return.

How did Roosevelt’s Bull Moose Party impact the 1912 election?

Roosevelt split the Republican vote by forming the Progressive Party, allowing Democrat Woodrow Wilson to win with only 42% of the popular vote.

What were Wilson’s key “New Freedom” reforms?

Underwood-Simmons Tariff (1913): Lowered tariffs, introduced income tax

• Federal Reserve Act (1913): Created a central banking system

• Clayton Antitrust Act (1914): Strengthened regulations against monopolies

• Federal Trade Commission (1914): Monitored business practices

How did Wilson support workers and farmers?

Adamson Act (1916): 8-hour workday for railroad workers

• Workman’s Compensation Act (1916): Workplace injury insurance

• Federal Farm Loan Act (1916): Easier credit access for farmers

What were the major constitutional amendments passed under Wilson?

16th (1913): Federal income tax

• 17th (1913): Direct election of senators

• 18th (1919): Prohibition of alcohol

• 19th (1920): Women’s suffrage

How did the US enter World War I?

Unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany targeted US ships

• Zimmermann Telegram (1917): Germany proposed a military alliance with Mexico

• Wilson declared war in April 1917, ending the Progressive reform era