Presidents of gilded age

Presidents in Focus

Theodore Roosevelt

• 26th President of the United States (1901-1909)

• Known for his progressive policies, including trust-busting efforts and conservation initiatives.

• Introduced the Square Deal, addressing consumer protection, labor rights, and environmental conservation.

• Advocated for a robust foreign policy, famously summarizing it as "speak softly and carry a big stick."

Overview of National Politics

• The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a significant shift from local to national political issues, influenced by industrialization and urbanization.

• Key topics in national politics during this period included:

  • Economics: The rise of big business and economic policies affecting labor.

  • Civil service reform: The transition towards merit-based employment in government positions.

Other significant themes of the period:

• Industrialization: Massive growth of factories and urban centers reshaping the American landscape.

• Western settlement: The expansion into the West driven by policies like the Homestead Act, leading to conflicts with Native Americans.

• Urban growth: Cities rapidly expanding as centers of economic activity and cultural exchange.

• Imperialism: American interests expanding globally, fueled by economic and strategic needs.

Urban vs. Rural Growth

• Urban growth far surpassed rural growth due to:

  • Migration from rural areas to cities in search of jobs and better living conditions.

  • Massive immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe, contributing to urban workforce expansion.

• Graph comparisons show:

  • Rural growth doubled, while urban growth increased tenfold, highlighting the dramatic shift in population distribution.

Factors influencing growth patterns:

• Geography and industry of cities played a crucial role in attracting labor and fostering economic opportunities.

Focus of National Politics

• Political parties increasingly focused on business growth, often sidelining direct attention to industrialization-related issues, including:

  • Overcrowding in cities.

  • Workers' wages and labor rights.

• Local political machines, such as Tammany Hall, often addressed many of these social and economic issues, creating a complex relationship with national politics.

Public Expectations of Government

• The population remained more focused on local and state politics rather than national issues, as community needs dictated political priorities.

• There was a strong sense of party loyalty:

  • Democrats and Republicans exhibited intense allegiance to their respective parties.

  • Hostility towards the opposing party was common, often leading to political polarization.

Voting Behavior Trends

• Various factors influenced voting behavior, including:

  • Family tradition: Political preferences often passed down through generations, shaping alignments.

  • Ethnic ties: Political parties mobilized specific ethnic groups; for example, Irish voters often leaned Democrat due to their views on issues like prohibition.

  • Religious affiliation: Different religious groups varied in their political loyalties.

  • Local issues: Issues like prohibition or labor rights also played a significant role in shaping voting preferences.

Major Political Issues

Civil Service Reform

• The need for civil service reform arose primarily due to corruption associated with the spoils system initiated by Andrew Jackson.

• Rutherford B. Hayes: The first president to tackle civil service reform vigorously. He believed in gradual, rather than radical, reforms, which conflicted with the expectations of the party stalwarts.

• Appointment of Chester Arthur as Collector of New York Customs illustrated challenges in implementing reforms; he transitioned from being a political machine operative to a reformer.

• Hayes instituted bans on civil servant salary assessments and established the precedent for the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883, which aimed to create a merit-based system for federal employment.

Presidential Backstories

• Rutherford B. Hayes: Known for integrity and civil service reforms but faced political resistance stemming from the contentious nature of his election.

• James A. Garfield: His presidency was brief, advocating vigorously for civil service reforms before being assassinated by a disgruntled job seeker.

• Chester A. Arthur: Despite initially supporting the spoils system, he emerged as a reform-minded president who advocated for merit-based appointments.

• Grover Cleveland: A draft dodger who evolved into a reformer, Cleveland focused on cleaning up corruption and reducing government expenditures.

Conclusion: Legacy of Reforms

• The civil service reforms instituted during this era set a precedent for enhanced accountability in government.

• Despite facing numerous challenges, the perseverance of these leaders contributed to the framework for progressive reforms in American politics, which would become increasingly critical in the 20th century.

most people are really focused on their local and state politics and not as focused on national politics because it was local and state politics that really dealt more with the everyday needs of their lives and their political machines.