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GILDED AGEGILDED AGE
Term used by Mark TwainTerm used by Mark Twain to describe to describe the post-Reconstruction era.the post-Reconstruction era.
““Gilded” means covered with gold- so Gilded” means covered with gold- so Gilded Age describes this time because Gilded Age describes this time because a thin layer of prosperity (Carnegie, a thin layer of prosperity (Carnegie, Rockefeller, J.P. Morgan, etc.) covered Rockefeller, J.P. Morgan, etc.) covered the poverty and corruptionthe poverty and corruption
1. A Two-Party 1. A Two-Party StalemateStalemate
1. A Two-Party 1. A Two-Party StalemateStalemate
2. 2. Intense Intense
Voter Voter Loyalty Loyalty to theto the
Two MajorTwo MajorPolitical Political PartiesParties
2. 2. Intense Intense
Voter Voter Loyalty Loyalty to theto the
Two MajorTwo MajorPolitical Political PartiesParties
3. Well-Defined Voting 3. Well-Defined Voting BlocsBlocs
3. Well-Defined Voting 3. Well-Defined Voting BlocsBlocs
DemocraticBloc
DemocraticBloc
RepublicanBloc
RepublicanBloc
White southerners(preservation ofwhite supremacy)
Catholics
Recent immigrants(esp. Jews)
Urban working poor (pro-labor)
Most farmers
Northern whites(pro-business)
African Americans
Northern Protestants
Old WASPs (supportfor anti-immigrant laws)
Most of the middleclass
1880 Presidential 1880 Presidential Election: RepublicansElection: Republicans
1880 Presidential 1880 Presidential Election: RepublicansElection: Republicans
Half BreedsHalf Breeds StalwartsStalwarts
Sen. James G. Blaine Sen. Roscoe Conkling (Maine) (New York)
James A. Garfield Chester A. Arthur (VP)
compromise
1880 1880 Presidential Presidential
ElectionElection
1880 1880 Presidential Presidential
ElectionElection
1881: Garfield 1881: Garfield Assassinated!Assassinated!1881: Garfield 1881: Garfield Assassinated!Assassinated!
Charles Guiteau:I Am a Stalwart, and Arthur is President now!
Pendleton Act (1883)Pendleton Act (1883)Pendleton Act (1883)Pendleton Act (1883)
Civil Service Act.
The “Magna Carta” of civil service reform.
1883 14,000 out of117,000 federal govt.jobs became civilservice exam positions.
1900 100,000 out of 200,000 civil service federal govt. jobs.
Republican Republican “Mugwumps”“Mugwumps”
Republican Republican “Mugwumps”“Mugwumps” Reformers who wouldn’t re-
nominateChester A. Arthur.
Reform to them create a disinterested, impartial govt. run by an educated elite like themselves.
Social Darwinists.
Laissez faire government to them:
Favoritism & the spoils system seen as govt. intervention in society.
Their target was political corruption, not social or economic reform!
TheTheMugwumpMugwump
ss
TheTheMugwumpMugwump
ssMen may come and men may go, but the work of reform shall go on forever. Will support
Cleveland in the1884 election.
1884 Presidential 1884 Presidential ElectionElection
1884 Presidential 1884 Presidential ElectionElection
Grover Cleveland James Blaine
* (DEM) (REP)
Cleveland only president to be elected twice, non consecutively – 1885-89 & 1893-97(so he counts as 2 Presidents), and only Dem. to be elected during Rep. domination from 1861-1913.
A Dirty A Dirty CampaignCampaign
A Dirty A Dirty CampaignCampaign
Ma, Ma…where’s my pa?He’s going to the White House, ha… ha… ha…!
1884 1884 Presidential Presidential
ElectionElection
1884 1884 Presidential Presidential
ElectionElection
Cleveland’s First Cleveland’s First TermTerm
Cleveland’s First Cleveland’s First TermTerm The “Veto Governor” from New
York.
First Democratic elected since 1856.
A public office is a public trust!
His laissez-faire presidency:
Opposed bills to assist the poor aswell as the rich.
Vetoed over 200 special pension billsfor Civil War veterans!
1888 1888 Presidential Presidential
ElectionElection
1888 1888 Presidential Presidential
ElectionElection
Disposing the Disposing the SurplusSurplus
Disposing the Disposing the SurplusSurplus
Changing Public OpinionChanging Public OpinionChanging Public OpinionChanging Public Opinion Americans wanted the federal govt. to deal
with growing soc. & eco. problems & to curbthe power of the trusts:
Interstate Commerce Act – 1887
Sherman Antitrust Act – 1890
McKinley Tariff – 1890
Based on the theory that prosperityflowed directly from protectionism.
Increased already high rates another 4%!
Rep. Party suffered big losses in 1890 (evenMcKinley lost his House seat!).
1892 Presidential 1892 Presidential ElectionElection
1892 Presidential 1892 Presidential ElectionElection
Grover Cleveland Benjamin Harrison again! * (DEM) (REP)
1892 1892 Presidential Presidential
ElectionElection
1892 1892 Presidential Presidential
ElectionElection
Cleveland Loses Support Cleveland Loses Support Fast!Fast!
Cleveland Loses Support Cleveland Loses Support Fast!Fast! The only President to serve two non-
consecutive terms.
Blamed for the 1893 Panic.
Defended the gold standard.
Used federal troops in the 1894Pullman strike.
Refused to sign the Wilson-GormanTariff of 1894.
Repealed the Sherman Silver Purchase Act.
Mulberry Street Bend, 1889
Mulberry Street Bend, 1889
5-Cent Lodgings5-Cent Lodgings
Men’s LodgingsMen’s Lodgings
Women’s LodgingsWomen’s Lodgings
Immigrant Family Lodgings
Immigrant Family Lodgings
Life at the Turn of the Life at the Turn of the Twentieth CenturyTwentieth Century
PopulismPopulismFarmers and Industrial WorkersFarmers and Industrial Workers
Tough Times for FarmersTough Times for Farmers
Tariffs- Little competition from foreign Tariffs- Little competition from foreign markets allowed businesses to raise markets allowed businesses to raise pricesprices
Money Supply- Government took money Money Supply- Government took money out of circulation after the Civil War out of circulation after the Civil War making each dollar more valuable- causes making each dollar more valuable- causes deflation – drop of pricesdeflation – drop of prices
1873- Worst economic panic in U.S. 1873- Worst economic panic in U.S. historyhistory
The Silver IssueThe Silver IssueThe Silver IssueThe Silver Issue “Crime of ’73” demonetization of
silver (govt. stopped coining silver).
Bland-Allison Act (1878) limitedsilver coinage to $2-$4 mil. per mo.(based on the 16:1 ratio of silver togold).
Sherman Silver Purchase Act (1890)
The US Treasury must purchase$4.5 mil. oz. of silver a month.
Govt. deposited most silver in theUS Treasury rather than circulation.
Price Indexes for Price Indexes for Consumer & Farm Consumer & Farm Products: 1865-Products: 1865-
19131913
Price Indexes for Price Indexes for Consumer & Farm Consumer & Farm Products: 1865-Products: 1865-
19131913
The GrangeThe Grange
The Grange was set up in response to the The Grange was set up in response to the isolation of farmers- formed in 1867 and isolation of farmers- formed in 1867 and peaked between 1890s and 1950s and still peaked between 1890s and 1950s and still exists todayexists today
The Grange formed The Grange formed farmingfarming cooperatives cooperatives so they could buy supplies more cheaply so they could buy supplies more cheaply and lobbied for government to regulate and lobbied for government to regulate businesses that the farmers depended on businesses that the farmers depended on such as grain elevators and rail roadssuch as grain elevators and rail roads
Founder of the Founder of the National Grange of National Grange of
the Patrons of the Patrons of Husbandry Husbandry (1867)(1867)
Founder of the Founder of the National Grange of National Grange of
the Patrons of the Patrons of Husbandry Husbandry (1867)(1867)
The Farmers The Farmers AlliancesAlliances
The Farmers The Farmers AlliancesAlliances
Begun in the late 1880s (Texas first Begun in the late 1880s (Texas first the the Southern AllianceSouthern Alliance; then in the ; then in the Midwest Midwest the the Northern AllianceNorthern Alliance).).
Built upon the ashes of the Grange.Built upon the ashes of the Grange.
More political and less social than the More political and less social than the Grange.Grange.
Ran candidates for office.Ran candidates for office.
Controlled 8 state legislatures & had 47Controlled 8 state legislatures & had 47representatives in Congress during the representatives in Congress during the 1890s.1890s.
United United We We
Stand, Stand, DivideDivided We d We FallFall
United United We We
Stand, Stand, DivideDivided We d We FallFall
In 1889 both In 1889 both the Northern andthe Northern andSouthern AlliancesSouthern Alliancesmerged into one—merged into one—the the Farmers’ Farmers’ Alliance.Alliance.
The Populist (Peoples’) The Populist (Peoples’) PartyParty
The Populist (Peoples’) The Populist (Peoples’) PartyParty
1890 Bi-Election:1890 Bi-Election:
So. Alliance So. Alliance wanted to wanted to gain control of the Democratic gain control of the Democratic Party.Party.
No. Alliance No. Alliance ran 3 ran 3rdrd Party Party candidates.candidates.
1892 1892 800 met in St. Louis, MO 800 met in St. Louis, MO
majority were Alliance members.majority were Alliance members.
over 100 were African Americans.over 100 were African Americans.
reps. of labor organizations & other reps. of labor organizations & other reformers (Grange, Greenback reformers (Grange, Greenback Party).Party).
The PopulistsThe Populists New Political Party built their platform (beliefs) New Political Party built their platform (beliefs)
around these issuesaround these issues 1.) Increase circulation of money1.) Increase circulation of money 2.) Unlimited Minting of Silver2.) Unlimited Minting of Silver 3.) Progressive Income Tax- Rich get hit 3.) Progressive Income Tax- Rich get hit
harderharder 4.) Government ownership of 4.) Government ownership of
communications and transportation systemscommunications and transportation systems (Interstate Commerce Act- was first time (Interstate Commerce Act- was first time
Congress attempted to regulate a business)Congress attempted to regulate a business) 5.) 8 Hour Work Day5.) 8 Hour Work Day
1892 Election1892 Election1892 Election1892 Election
Causes of the 1893 PanicCauses of the 1893 PanicCauses of the 1893 PanicCauses of the 1893 Panic Begun 10 days after Cleveland took office.Begun 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 contractionBank failures followed causing a contractionof credit [nearly 500 banks closed].of credit [nearly 500 banks closed].
3.3. By 1895, unemployment reached 3 million.By 1895, unemployment reached 3 million.
Americans cried out for relief, but the Govt.Americans cried out for relief, but the Govt.continued its laissez faire policies!!continued its laissez faire policies!!
Coxey’s Army, Coxey’s Army, 18941894
Coxey’s Army, Coxey’s Army, 18941894
Jacob Coxey & his “Army of Jacob Coxey & his “Army of the Commonweal of Christ.”the Commonweal of Christ.”
March on Washington March on Washington “hayseed “hayseed socialists!”socialists!”
Result of Election Result of Election ReturnsReturns
Result of Election Result of Election ReturnsReturns
Populist voteincreased by40% in the bi-election year,1894.
Democratic party losses in
the West werecatastrophic!
But, Republicanswon control of
the House.
William Jennings William Jennings Bryan Bryan
(1860-1925)(1860-1925)
William Jennings William Jennings Bryan Bryan
(1860-1925)(1860-1925)
The “Great The “Great Commoner”Commoner”
William Jennings BryanWilliam Jennings Bryan Was nominated for President by both the Populists and Was nominated for President by both the Populists and
Democrats in 1896 electionDemocrats in 1896 election Gave his famous Gave his famous “Cross of Gold” “Cross of Gold” Speech in which he Speech in which he
opposed the use of the gold standard and wanted to opposed the use of the gold standard and wanted to change the government’s monetary systemchange the government’s monetary system
Many farmers favored Many farmers favored Free Silver- the unlimited coining Free Silver- the unlimited coining of silver dollars to increase the money supplyof silver dollars to increase the money supply
Bland-Allison Act- Called for the government to coin more Bland-Allison Act- Called for the government to coin more silver and increasing the money supply but it was vetoedsilver and increasing the money supply but it was vetoed
He will lose the electionHe will lose the election
Bryan: The Bryan: The Farmers FriendFarmers Friend(The Mint Ratio)(The Mint Ratio)
Bryan: The Bryan: The Farmers FriendFarmers Friend(The Mint Ratio)(The Mint Ratio)
18,000 miles of campaign “whistle 18,000 miles of campaign “whistle stops.”stops.”
DemocratiDemocratic Party c Party Taken Taken
Over by Over by the the
Agrarian Agrarian LeftLeft
DemocratiDemocratic Party c Party Taken Taken
Over by Over by the the
Agrarian Agrarian LeftLeft
Platform tariff reductions; income tax; strictercontrol of the trusts (esp. RRs); free silver.
Into Into Which Which Box Box Will Will the the
VoterVoterof ’96 of ’96 Place Place His His
BallotBallot? ?
Into Into Which Which Box Box Will Will the the
VoterVoterof ’96 of ’96 Place Place His His
BallotBallot? ?
1896 Election 1896 Election ResultsResults
1896 Election 1896 Election ResultsResults
End of PopulismEnd of Populism
By 1900, more gold discovered had By 1900, more gold discovered had increased the supply and the United increased the supply and the United States went back to the gold standardStates went back to the gold standard
To the surprise of many, the crop To the surprise of many, the crop prices began a slow rise and this help prices began a slow rise and this help end the movement for free silver and end the movement for free silver and PopulismPopulism
Other Issues At Turn of Other Issues At Turn of the Centurythe Century
EducationEducation
Importance of education in a democratic Importance of education in a democratic society and for economic success was society and for economic success was becoming more well knownbecoming more well known
By the time of the Civil War, ½ of the white By the time of the Civil War, ½ of the white population was attending schools (Only population was attending schools (Only 2% got diploma)2% got diploma)
Immigrants went for Immigrants went for literacy (ability to literacy (ability to read & white) and for assimilationread & white) and for assimilation
Do I Have To Go To School?Do I Have To Go To School?
COMPULSORY EDUCATION COMPULSORY EDUCATION LAWSLAWS~ required parents to ~ required parents to
send their students to school send their students to school after 1860after 1860
Indiana law enacted 1897; all
7-16 year olds must attend
school!
John DeweyJohn Dewey
Educational reformer & Educational reformer & philosopherphilosopherDewey stressed
“learning by doing” in arts
history-not just teach math,
reading, writing.
Booker T. WashingtonBooker T. Washington Famous EducatorFamous Educator Founded the Founded the Tuskegee InstituteTuskegee Institute
for African Americans which gave for African Americans which gave them them technical skillstechnical skills
Told students to put desire for Told students to put desire for equality aside for now and work equality aside for now and work on betterment and this will give on betterment and this will give them equalitythem equality
Rose from humble beginnings as Rose from humble beginnings as slaveslave
Tuskegee Institute will become Tuskegee Institute will become famous during WW IIfamous during WW II
W.E.B. Du BoisW.E.B. Du Bois First African American to earn First African American to earn
Ph. D. from HarvardPh. D. from Harvard Rejected Booker T. Washington’s Rejected Booker T. Washington’s
message of waitingmessage of waiting Called for brightest and most Called for brightest and most
talented to step up and lead talented to step up and lead African Americans to the equality African Americans to the equality that they deservedthat they deserved
Favored Favored intellectual skills over intellectual skills over technical skillstechnical skills
Helped lead theHelped lead the Niagara Niagara Movement- Movement- Group ofGroup of African African Americans that called for civil Americans that called for civil libertiesliberties
Entertainment: ShowsEntertainment: Shows
VaudevillesVaudevilles became popular- became popular- Variety Variety showsshows including comedy, magic, song including comedy, magic, song and dance, and performances from and dance, and performances from jugglers, etc.jugglers, etc.
Movies- Began to compete with Movies- Began to compete with vaudevilles- vaudevilles- “The Great Train Robbery”“The Great Train Robbery” (1903)was a classic (1903)was a classic
NickelodeonsNickelodeons –theaters set up in stores –theaters set up in stores charged a nickel for moviescharged a nickel for movies
Minstrel ShowsMinstrel ShowsMinstrel showMinstrel show: white actors in : white actors in “blackface” exaggerated African “blackface” exaggerated African American stereotypes of music, American stereotypes of music,
humor, dancehumor, dance
Entertainment:Entertainment:Circus and Amusement ParksCircus and Amusement Parks
Circus had been common but the circus Circus had been common but the circus trains made it easier for shows to make trains made it easier for shows to make annual visitsannual visits
Amusement Parks- Trolley Lines and the Amusement Parks- Trolley Lines and the technology helped lead to the invention of technology helped lead to the invention of the Ferris wheels and roller coaster (not the Ferris wheels and roller coaster (not like what we think of)like what we think of)
Coney Island in New YorkConey Island in New York was one of was one of the most famousthe most famous
Rose IslandRose Island
Recreational area from the 1880’sRecreational area from the 1880’s Bought by David Rose and renamed Rose Bought by David Rose and renamed Rose
Island in 1923Island in 1923 Coaster, Ice Rink, Swimming Pools, Coaster, Ice Rink, Swimming Pools,
Resort, Wolves and Moneys in cagesResort, Wolves and Moneys in cages Access from the Idlewild (Belle of Access from the Idlewild (Belle of
Louisville) which took 1/12-2 hours or drive Louisville) which took 1/12-2 hours or drive and cross suspension bridge and cross suspension bridge
SportsSports
By 1860’s, people had formed baseball By 1860’s, people had formed baseball leagues: leagues: Baseball was America’s gameBaseball was America’s game
First professional team: Cincinnati Red First professional team: Cincinnati Red Stockings Stockings
Football became more popularFootball became more popular Dr. James NaismithDr. James Naismith invented basketball- invented basketball-
18911891
JazzJazz
Ragtime originated among African Ragtime originated among African American musicians in the South and American musicians in the South and MidwestMidwest
Jazz Jazz grew out of the vibrant musical grew out of the vibrant musical culture of culture of New OrleansNew Orleans: a city with a : a city with a heritage of African, Spanish, French, and heritage of African, Spanish, French, and Latin American influencesLatin American influences
Yellow JournalismYellow Journalism
In In order to sell more newspapersorder to sell more newspapers, , companies started to write more stories companies started to write more stories about murder, vice, scandal, and other about murder, vice, scandal, and other wise fabricate stories. wise fabricate stories.
This sensational news reporting became This sensational news reporting became known as known as Yellow JournalismYellow Journalism
Joseph Pulitzer (Pulitzer Prize) and Joseph Pulitzer (Pulitzer Prize) and William Randolph Hearst became two William Randolph Hearst became two of the most famousof the most famous
““The Yellow Kid”The Yellow Kid”First yellow journalism colored cartoon First yellow journalism colored cartoon
emphasizing American stereotypes of emphasizing American stereotypes of tenement dwellers.tenement dwellers.
Legal segregation that was enforced by a Legal segregation that was enforced by a series of laws and statutes known as series of laws and statutes known as Jim Jim Crow LawsCrow Laws
Examples: Poll Tax- Had to Pay to VoteExamples: Poll Tax- Had to Pay to Vote Literacy Test: Literacy Test: Had to pass test but Had to pass test but
wouldwould “Grandfather” whites- allow to “Grandfather” whites- allow to vote if voted before or if ancestor had vote if voted before or if ancestor had votedvoted
First appeared in the state of First appeared in the state of MassachusettsMassachusetts
Plessey v. FergusonPlessey v. Ferguson
““Separate but Equal”Separate but Equal” Supreme Court upheld Jim Crow laws that Supreme Court upheld Jim Crow laws that
allowed for separate public schools as allowed for separate public schools as long as they were equallong as they were equal
What is the problem with this?What is the problem with this?
African American ViolenceAfrican American Violence
LynchingsLynchings- 1,200 African Americans were - 1,200 African Americans were estimated killed between 1882 and 1892estimated killed between 1882 and 1892
Ida B. Wells-Ida B. Wells- Led an anti-lynching Led an anti-lynching campaign and was later placed on an campaign and was later placed on an American Postage StampAmerican Postage Stamp
NAACPNAACP
National Association for the Advancement of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)Colored People (NAACP)
Mary White Ovington-Mary White Ovington- White women who held White women who held a meeting to discuss race issues.a meeting to discuss race issues.
The Niagara Movement and others came and The Niagara Movement and others came and this marked the beginning of the this marked the beginning of the NAACPNAACP as an as an interracial organization that works to end interracial organization that works to end segregation, discrimination, racism, and promote segregation, discrimination, racism, and promote equality and civil rights for African Americansequality and civil rights for African Americans
W.E.B. DuBois became the editor of the W.E.B. DuBois became the editor of the newspapernewspaper
WomenWomen
Changes in women's lives, including new Changes in women's lives, including new jobs, new educational opportunities, and jobs, new educational opportunities, and new roles in the home and in the new roles in the home and in the marketplace, marketplace, fueled a debate over the fueled a debate over the proper role of women in societyproper role of women in society. .
National American Woman National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA)Suffrage Association (NAWSA)
Formed in Formed in 18901890 Pushed for women to have the Pushed for women to have the right to right to
votevote SUCCESS- will come with the passage of SUCCESS- will come with the passage of
the the 1919thth Amendment in 1920. Amendment in 1920.
Woman’s Christian Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) Temperance Union (WCTU)
Women’s organization whose members Women’s organization whose members visited schools to educate children about visited schools to educate children about the evils of drinking, addressed prisoners the evils of drinking, addressed prisoners because of the role alcohol had in their because of the role alcohol had in their lives, and blanketed men’s meetings with lives, and blanketed men’s meetings with literature to warn about the dangers literature to warn about the dangers against alcoholagainst alcohol
ShoppingShopping
Growing suburban populations, abundant Growing suburban populations, abundant manufactured goods, public transportation, manufactured goods, public transportation, and electric lighting allowed for the and electric lighting allowed for the development of the department storedevelopment of the department store
U.S. Post Office offered rural free delivery U.S. Post Office offered rural free delivery (RFD) of manufactured goods(RFD) of manufactured goods
Mail Order Catalogs became more Mail Order Catalogs became more common and popular: common and popular: Sears-RoebuckSears-Roebuck