Commonwealth and Empire

Out of ManyChapter 20

The Grange The Grange MovementMovement First organized in the 1870s in the First organized in the 1870s in the

Midwest, the South, and Texas.Midwest, the South, and Texas. Set up cooperative associations (stores, grain Set up cooperative associations (stores, grain

elevators, grain warehouses).elevators, grain warehouses). Social and educational components – picnics, Social and educational components – picnics,

concerts, lectures, etc.concerts, lectures, etc. Succeeded in lobbying for state Succeeded in lobbying for state “Granger “Granger

Laws”Laws” to regulate RR rates & storage fees to regulate RR rates & storage fees Wabash v. IllinoisWabash v. Illinois (1886) overruled (1886) overruled state state

regulation of RR – why?regulation of RR – why? Rapidly declined after Rapidly declined after WabashWabash..

The Farmers The Farmers AlliancesAlliancesØ Begun in the late 1870s

ØTexas first – the Southern AllianceØthen in the Midwest—the Northern Alliance

Ø Built upon the ashes of the Grange.Ø More political and less social than the Grange.Ø Ran candidates for office.Ø Controlled 8 state legislatures & had 47 representatives in Congress during the 1890s.

United We United We Stand,Stand,

Divided We Divided We FallFallØIn 1889 both the In 1889 both the

Northern and Northern and Southern Alliances Southern Alliances merged into one—the merged into one—the Farmers’ Alliance.Farmers’ Alliance.

ØWill eventually seek Will eventually seek alliance with northern alliance with northern industrial workers - industrial workers - labor unions.labor unions.

The Populist (Peoples’) The Populist (Peoples’) PartyPartyØ Farmers’ Alliance excluded blacks & ignored issues of tenant

farmers & sharecroppers – weakened it

Ø By early 1890s, Farmers’ Alliance has produced the Peoples’ Party – a political coalition of farmers from the W & the S.

Ø Goals:Goals:

Ø More political power to the people (through political reform, More political power to the people (through political reform, lowering tariff)lowering tariff)

Ø Government intervention to aid struggling farmers – at the Government intervention to aid struggling farmers – at the mercy of industrialists, banks & interest rates.mercy of industrialists, banks & interest rates.

Ø Attacked Wall Street and the “Money Trust”Attacked Wall Street and the “Money Trust”

Ø Early champion: Mary Elizabeth Lease of KS – “Kansans should Early champion: Mary Elizabeth Lease of KS – “Kansans should raise less corn and rise more hell!”raise less corn and rise more hell!”

The Populist (Peoples’) The Populist (Peoples’) PartyPartyØ Founded by James B. Founded by James B.

Weaver & Tom Watson.Weaver & Tom Watson.Ø Omaha, NE Convention Omaha, NE Convention

in July, 1892.in July, 1892.Ø Got almost 1 million Got almost 1 million

popular votes in ’92 popular votes in ’92 election.election.

Ø Several Congressional Several Congressional seats won.seats won.

James B. Weaver, James B. Weaver, Presidential Presidential CandidateCandidate

&&James G. Field, VPJames G. Field, VP

Omaha Platform of Omaha Platform of 189218921.1. System of System of “sub-treasuries.”“sub-treasuries.”

2.2. Free silver (unlimited coinage of silver).Free silver (unlimited coinage of silver).3.3. Graduated income tax.Graduated income tax.4.4. Direct election of Senators.Direct election of Senators.5.5. Govt. ownership of RRs, telephone & telegraph Govt. ownership of RRs, telephone & telegraph

companies.companies.6.6. Restriction of undesirable immigration.Restriction of undesirable immigration.7.7. 8-hour work day for government employees.8-hour work day for government employees.8.8. Abolition of the Pinkerton detective agency.Abolition of the Pinkerton detective agency.9.9. Australian secret ballot.Australian secret ballot.10.10.Abolition of the National Bank.Abolition of the National Bank.11.11.A single term for President & Vice President.A single term for President & Vice President.

Govt.-Owned Govt.-Owned CompaniesCompanies

1892 Election1892 Election

Cleveland again – only President to ever serve twonon-consecutive terms.

Same old Cleveland, but different nation – debtors up in arms!

Major Problems in Cleveland’s Second Term:

First large-scale depression in the new industrial economy.

Causes of the Causes of the 1893 Panic1893 Panic

Ø Began 10 days after Cleveland took office.Began 10 days after Cleveland took office.

1.1. Several major corps. went bankrupt.Several major corps. went bankrupt.

Over 16,000 businesses disappeared.Over 16,000 businesses disappeared.

Triggered a stock market crash.Triggered a stock market crash.

Over-extended investments.Over-extended investments.

2.2. Bank failures followed causing a contraction of credit [nearly Bank failures followed causing a contraction of credit [nearly 500 banks closed].500 banks closed].

3.3. By 1895, unemployment reached 3 million.By 1895, unemployment reached 3 million.

4.4. Ongoing agricultural depression.Ongoing agricultural depression.

Ø Americans cried out for relief, but the Govt. continued its Americans cried out for relief, but the Govt. continued its laissez laissez faire policiesfaire policies!!!!

Panic Panic Spreads!Spreads!

How is it “resolved” by Cleveland?How is it “resolved” by Cleveland?Gets J.P. Morgan to loan gov’t $65 million in gold….Gets J.P. Morgan to loan gov’t $65 million in gold….

for which he charged a commission of 7 million!for which he charged a commission of 7 million!

Here Lies Here Lies ProsperityProsperity

Populist argument that farmers & laborers alikeare being victimized is strengthened.

Silver IssueSilver Issue “Crime of ’73” demonetization of silver (govt.

stopped coining silver); cries for “free silver.” Bland-Allison Act (1878) is the compromise:

limited silver coinage to $2-$4 mil. per mo. (based on the 16:1 ratio of silver to gold); ineffective since gov’t always purchased minimum amount.

Sherman Silver Purchase Act (1890)– Next compromise attempt: The US Treasury must

purchase $4.5 mil. oz. of silver a month. – Cleveland forces repeal in 1893– U.S. has worst depression in its history• Gov’t bailed out in 1895 by Morgan’s gold loan

– $65 million!– S & W wings of Democratic party desert Cleveland

Result of Result of Election Election ReturnsReturns

Ø Populist vote increased by 40% in the bi-election year,1894.

Ø Democratic party losses in the West were catastrophic!

Ø But, Republicans won control of the House.

Gold / Silver Bug Gold / Silver Bug Campaign PinsCampaign Pins

William Jennings William Jennings Bryan Bryan

(1860-1925)(1860-1925)

The “Great Commoner” – 36 The “Great Commoner” – 36 years oldyears old

DEMOCRAT POPULIST

William Jennings Bryan

Ø Revivalist style of oratory.Ø “A great voice rather than a great brain.”

Bryan’s“Cross of

Gold” SpeechYou shall not You shall not press down press down upon the brow upon the brow of labor this of labor this crown of crown of thorns; you thorns; you shall not shall not crucify crucify mankind upon mankind upon a a cross of goldcross of gold!!

Bryan: The Farmer’s Friend

18,000 miles of campaign “whistle 18,000 miles of campaign “whistle stops” – 600 speeches!stops” – 600 speeches!Market ratio for silver by then was

32:1 --- so 16:1 the silver in a dollar would only be worth 50 cents

Democratic Party Taken

Over by the

Agrarian Left

Platform : free silver; tariff reductions; income tax; stricter control of the trusts (esp. RRs).

Bryan’s platform does NOT appeal to Eastern laborers – inflation would NOT help them and they vote for their jobs and McKinley’s “Full Dinner Pail”

William McKinley (1843-1901)REPUBLICAN

Ohio Former Civil War major & in Congress many years Focus on Cleveland’s Democratic Panic Promises “Full Dinner Pail” Praises protective tariff Massive dissemination of literature

The Seasone

d Politicia

nvs.The

“Young”

Newcomer

Into Into Which Which

Box Will Box Will the the

VoterVoterof ’96 of ’96 Place Place His His

Ballot? Ballot?

1896 Election 1896 Election ResultsResults

Significance of the Significance of the 1896 Election1896 Election MARKS THE FAILURE OF THE POPULIST MARKS THE FAILURE OF THE POPULIST

PARTYPARTY Turning point in politicsTurning point in politics – future of – future of

politics in cities, not agrarian votespolitics in cities, not agrarian votes Victory for big business, big cities, middle Victory for big business, big cities, middle

class values & financial conservatismclass values & financial conservatism Republicans take White House for all but Republicans take White House for all but

8 of the next 36 years!8 of the next 36 years!

The Next President The Next President of the U. S.of the U. S.

• McKinley will be cautious and conservative

• Will give business free rein ; no regulation of trusts

• Tariff (Dingley) will be high (46.5%)

Gold Triumphs Gold Triumphs Over SilverOver SilverØ1900 - 1900 - Gold Gold

Standard ActStandard ActØConfirmed the Confirmed the

nation’s commitment nation’s commitment to the gold standard.to the gold standard.ØPaper currency Paper currency

could be freely could be freely redeemed in goldredeemed in gold

ØNew gold discoveries New gold discoveries in AK & S.Africa will in AK & S.Africa will finally stop deflationfinally stop deflation

ØA victory for the A victory for the forces offorces ofconservatism.conservatism.

Why Did Populism Why Did Populism Decline?Decline?

1.1. The economy experienced rapid The economy experienced rapid change.change.

2.2. The era of small producers and The era of small producers and farmers was fading away.farmers was fading away.

3.3. Race divided the Populist Party, Race divided the Populist Party, especially in the South.especially in the South.

4.4. The Populists were not able to The Populists were not able to breakbreakexisting party loyalties; most of existing party loyalties; most of their agenda was co-opted by the their agenda was co-opted by the Democrats.Democrats.

Why Did Populism Why Did Populism Decline?Decline?

5.5. Failure of farmers and industrial Failure of farmers and industrial workers of the Northeast to unite.workers of the Northeast to unite.

6.6. Gold strike in AK in 1898 – Gold strike in AK in 1898 – increased $ supply (& farmers’ increased $ supply (& farmers’ access to credit).access to credit).

7.7. Crop failures in Europe by 1900 – Crop failures in Europe by 1900 – led to increase in grain exports.led to increase in grain exports.

8.8. Immigration in massive numbers Immigration in massive numbers to urban areas – more markets & to urban areas – more markets & higher prices for agrarian higher prices for agrarian products.products.

Populist Goals that Populist Goals that Survived:Survived:• 16th Amendment – income tax

• 17th Amendment – direct election Senators

• Secret ballot• Direct primary elections

CAUSES OF THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR:

–MANIFEST DESTINY!!• Increased population, wealth, & industrial production gave Americans a sense of power• Manufacturers were looking for overseas markets• To control the oceans required overseas naval bases• Social Darwinism also justified overseas expansion

–HUMANITARIAN REASONS – protection of Cubans:•Reports published of inhumane treatment of the Cubans by the Spanish

CAUSES OF THE WAR:• YELLOW JOURNALISM!! – Rival NY newspapermen Wm.

Hearst & Joseph Pulitzer tried to scoop each other to sell papers

–misleading pictures like this one common• women were searched by other women not men

– de Lôme Letter - Feb. 9, 1898 published by Hearst - Spanish ambassador insulted McKinley

– “Remember the Maine!” articles on the mysterious explosion in Feb. 1898

USS Maine, 15 Feb 1898

WAR DECLARED!!• McKinley asks &

Congress declares war – April 25, 1898

• Congress adds TELLER AMENDMENT to War Declaration:–Promises

freedom to liberated Cubans after Spanish are defeated

War!• Although it was a

war to liberate the Cuban people, the SAW actually started in the Philippines.

• May 1, 1898 - Dewey’s Victory at Manila Bay,, took all of 6 hours to complete just 6 days after war was declared.

““Fire when ready, Gridley.” Fire when ready, Gridley.” Commodore George DeweyCommodore George Dewey

Meanwhile back in Cuba . . . • American forces

invaded in June• Teddy Roosevelt,

the “Rough Riders” (& black 10th Cavalry) successfully take San Juan Hill

• Rough Riders: college athletes, miners, cowboys, law officers, etc. formed into a cavalry unit by Teddy Roosevelt

Charge at San Juan Hill, Frederick Remington

Victory!• The Spanish fleet was destroyed

outside of Santiago harbor on July 3• Spanish surrendered July 17, 1898• Armistice signed on Aug. 12

• U.S. troops march into & occupy Puerto Rico

• Hawaii also annexed at this time - Why?

TREATY OF PARIS• U.S. GETS:–PHILIPPINES – AT COST OF $20 MILLION–PUERTO RICO–GUAM

• SPAIN GIVES UP CONTROLOVER CUBA– CUBA IS NOW AN

INDEPENDENT NATION• 5000 U.S. lives lost in this

war but mostly due to . . . ?– Yellow Fever

EFFECTS OF THE WAR• U.S. has moved to a foreign policy of

imperialism.• U.S. is now seen as a world power to be

respected.• Naval expansion• Large increase in U.S. Hispanic population• U.S. became a player in the Far East– this would help involve us in future wars

• Defeating yellow fever ended epidemics in the southeast & made the Panama Canal possible

• Acquisition of Hawaii– valuable as a naval base

• The last “romantic war”• The last use of cavalry in war

THE PHILIPPINES• Major issue of foreign

policy – should the Philippines be annexed?

• Very Difficult to Govern:– 7,100 islands– 7.5 million people– 43 ethnic groups; 87

languages– Varying lifestyles: city

dwellers to tree dwellers

FILIPINO RESENTMENT:

• Thought U.S. had come to give independence from Spanish control, not make them part of U.S.–Wage war against the

U..S. , 1899 - 1902– Led by Emilio

Aguinaldo–Why is this ironic?

• Teddy Roosevelt helps to overcome the Filipino resentment:–Appoints William Howard Taft as Governor:• Teaches self-government (encourages Filipino representatives in territorial gov’t)• Establishes public schools• Returns property confiscated by Spanish back into hands of rightful Filipino owners

INDEPENDENCE!

Finally granted to the Philippines in 1946

PuerPuertoto

RicoRico• FORAKER ACT gave limited self-government but– NOT citizens– Tariffs on PR goods into US

• Legal problem: did US laws apply to these newly acquired territories?– Did the Constitution “follow the

flag?”• Supreme Court said “NO” & gave

Congress a free hand in the matter (Insular Cases)

• US citizenship & territorial status in 1917

CUBA• Teller Amendment: U.S. had pledged to

withdraw but….• Military rule under Gen. Leonard Wood for 3

years:– Education, agriculture, & public health

reforms; set up gov’t– Greatest success: totally eradicated yellow

fever (Army Dr. Walter Reed)• The US withdrew from Cuba in 1902 leaving

behind the Platt Amendment:– Governs Cuban/U.S. relations for next 33 years– Establishes Cuba as a PROTECTORATE of U.S.

Platt Amendment:• TERMS:– Cuba cannot enter into agreements with

foreign nations that would weaken its independence

– Cuba must allow U.S. use of naval bases– Cuba must not get into debt– Cuba must allow U.S. to intervene whenever

necessary to protect Cuban independence• Seen as true compromise (Cuba independent

but also protected)• BUT, actually kept U.S. and Cuba from true

friendly relations – Why?