The making of a Superpower USA - Politics (1865-1890)

What did the 13th amendment do?

Abolished slavery + emancipated all slaves

Who passed the 13th amendment?

Lincoln in 1865

Why was Lincoln’s 10% plan criticised?

It was seen as too lenient for the southern states

Why was the 1864 Wade David Bill unsuccessful?

It was a radical republican method to pressure southern states into allegiance to the Union

Why were the Freedman bureau’s courts unsuccessful?

It had to oversee land being returned to southerners who enforced sharecropping + it was terminated in 1872

Why did Johnson not help African Americans?

He was unconcerned with them + wanted to support southerners

When were Black Codes introduced?

Between 1865 + 1866

What did Johnson veto in 1866?

The Civil Rights Bill that Congress introduced - but they overturned his ruling

Who rejected the 1866 Civil Rights Bill?

Ex-confederate states

What was radical reconstruction?

Military rule in the South - forced them to accept black suffrage + 1868 Civil Rights Act

What did the 1867 Tenure of Office Act do?

Forbade new governments from firing old workers based on their political leanings

Why did Grant win the 1868 election?

He won 52% of the popular vote because he supported Southern African Americans unlike Seymor

What was reconstruction like under Grant?

Harsh treatment of Southerners

What did the 1869 15th Amendment do?

Gave all American men the right to vote

What was the 1875 whiskey ring scandal?

This is when a network of distillers conspired to defraud the federal government + Grant’s private secretary was involved

How did the speculators in 1869 affect Grant’s presidency?

They (risk taking investors) attempted to influence the government, manipulate the gold market + this failed plot led to the 1869 Black Friday

Who were carpetbaggers?

Opportunistic northerners who looked for political power in the south - their presence was overstated, northerners made about 2% of the south’s population

Who were scalawags?

White southerners who supported reconstruction

What was the 1867 military reconstruction bill?

Imposed federal rule + command over southern states

What was the compromise of 1877?

The removal of federal troops from the south so Hayes could become president - signalled end of reconstruction + improvements from African Americans in south

What was the spoils system?

This is when the winning party gave government roles to their voters

Who opposed Hayes’ Civil service reforms?

A republican faction led by Conkling - Stalwarts

What was the effect of Hayes’ 1877 executive order?

It forbade federal officers from being required to make campaign contributions - spoils system not ended

What is an executive order?

A law the president passes without congress

What was the impact of the 1877 railroad strike?

Largest labour dispute at that time - Hayes sent troops + was viewed as harsh, overall win for big business

How did Garfield reform the Civil service system?

Strengthened federal authority over New York by getting rid of Conkling

How did Garfield reform the post office?

After 1880 investigation he identified profiteering rings (star routes) stealing millions of dollars with bogus mail contracts + forced their leader to resign

What was the impact of Arthur’s 1883 Pendleton Act?

Ended spoils system, created civil service commission (promotions) + ensured continuity in federal employees

Who did the 1882 (first) immigration act exclude?

Paupers, criminals + the mentally ill

What Bill did Congress pass in 1882?

Chinese exclusion act - Arthur vetoed it based on its harshness + reduced it to a 10 year exclusion

What did the 1883 tariff act do?

Reduced tariffs by 1.47%

What were the scandals in the 1884 election?

Blaine (Republican) was suspected of being anti-Catholic, involved in railroad currpotion + accused Cleveland of fathering an illegitimate child

Who were the mugwumps?

Republicans unhappy with the high levels of corruption

Who were the goo-goos?

The group formerly known as mugwumps but they abandoned Blaine + said they would support the least corrupt figure (Cleveland)

How much did Cleveland win the 1892 election by?

25,000 votes (close call)

How did Cleveland reform the Civil Service system?

Good workers kept their jobs, new workers were hired based on merit + bloated departments had their numbers reduced

Why is Cleveland criticised?

He believed in the limited role federal government, often vetoed decisions by Republican senate (e.g. hundreds of private pension bills for veterans + people with disabilities)

What was the impact of Cleveland vetoing the 1887 Texas Seed Bill?

A drought in ruined crops in several Texas counties, Congress appropriated $10,000 to buy them seeds + Cleveland vetoed this (bad look)