Gilded Age: Politics and Society

The Gilded Age: Politics and Society

Political Characteristics

• The country was deeply divided along party lines.
  • Voters rarely shifted allegiance between parties.
• The executive and legislative branches often experienced stalemates due to division.
• Differences in party ideologies mainly centered around immigration:
  • Republicans supported immigration restrictions and temperance.
  • Democrats typically attracted immigrant voters.

Key Presidents of the Gilded Age

• Rutherford B. Hayes (1877-1881)

• James A. Garfield (March 1881-September 1881)

• Chester A. Arthur (1881-1885)

• Grover Cleveland (1885-1889, 1893-1897)

• Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893)

• The lack of government action during this period allowed political parties and machines to thrive, leading to significant corruption.

• Key issues addressed by presidents included patronage, tariffs, and the monetary system.

• Notable quote by Mark Twain:

  • "The golden gleam of the gilded surface hides the cheapness of the metal underneath."

The Division Within the Republican Party

• Republicans were divided into two factions: Stalwarts and Half-Breeds.

  • Stalwarts favored traditional machine politics (e.g., Roscoe Conkling).
  • Half-Breeds sought political reform.

• Rutherford B. Hayes, though a Republican, favored political reform and aimed to create a Civil Service system, facing resistance.

• James A. Garfield was a Half-Breed; his assassination by Charles Guiteau, a disgruntled Stalwart, highlighted the internal conflicts.

• Chester A. Arthur, initially perceived as a Stalwart, surprised many by supporting Civil Service Reform, leading to the Pendleton Act of 1883, which aimed to fill federal positions via competitive exams rather than patronage.

Key Themes in Gilded Age Politics

• Corruption: Political machines had significant power, leading to rampant corruption.
• Tammy Hall and Political Machines: Influential entities manipulating politics for power and profit.
• Economic Issues: Tariffs and economic disparity were hot topics, with Republicans advocating for high tariffs under figures like William McKinley.

The Sherman Anti-Trust Act (1890)

• A response to the rise of large corporations, the Act aimed to prohibit trust formation.
• Lacked strong enforcement initially and became a tool often used against labor unions rather than corporations.

The Grange and Farmers' Alliances

• Farmers faced financial struggles due to low prices, high transportation costs, and mounting debts.
• The Grange: Founded in 1867 by Oliver H. Kelley, with over a million members, it aimed to politically organize and gained control of many Midwestern legislatures but faced decline as economic conditions improved and laws were struck down.
• Following the Grange, Farmers' Alliances emerged, uniting farmers for cooperative efforts against unfavorable market conditions.

Emergence of the People’s Party

• Formed in 1892 as a political platform representing farmer concerns, notably advocating for monetary reforms and economic justice.
• Nomination of James B. Weaver led to significant electoral success, pulling support from both major parties.

Economic Crises and the Silver Question

• The Depression of 1893: One of the worst economic crises started with the Reading Railroad bankruptcy, leading to widespread business and bank failures.
• Silver Issue: The debate over using silver led to the Sherman Silver Purchase Act, which was repealed amidst fears of depleting gold reserves.

The Election of 1896

• William McKinley (Republican): Focused on tariffs, aligned with big business, and opposed free coinage of silver.
• William Jennings Bryan (Democrat): Supported by the Populist Party for his pro-silver stance but struggled to gain traction with industrial workers.
• McKinley's victory marked a turning point leading to the decline of the Populist Party and set the stage for future economic policies favoring big business over populist reforms.