1 / 13

Chapter 16: Politics and Reform

Explore the political stalemate in Washington during the presidency of James A. Garfield, the rise of the Stalwart and Halfbreed factions, and the impact of the Pendleton Act on federal job appointments. Discover the key issues faced by Republicans and Democrats, voter turnout and elections, and the influence of business and economy on policies. This chapter also delves into the Election of 1884 and 1888, as well as important legislation such as the Sherman Antitrust Act.

beulahw
Download Presentation

Chapter 16: Politics and Reform

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Chapter 16: Politics and Reform Section 1: Stalemate in Washington 1877-1896

  2. President James A. Garfield Office term 1880-1881 I’m not comfortable with the “spoils system”

  3. “The President’s tragic death was a sad necessity, but it will united the Republican party and save the Republic…I had no ill-will toward the President. His death was a political necessity. I am a lawyer, theologian, and politician. I am a Stalwart of the Stalwarts…” Charles Guiteau

  4. Stalwarts vs. Halfbreeds • Stalwart (strong)- patronage-oriented faction of the Republican party late 19th c. Halfbreeds-Republican reformers VS.

  5. Pendleton Act • Allowed president to decide which federal jobs would be filled according to rules laid down by a bipartisan Civil Service Commission A+

  6. Republicans Republicans had voting edge in New England and upper Midwest b/c they had “preserved the Union” as well as established pensions for Civil War veterans -Support of Big business -Farmers of Great Plains -Support abolition, temperance and other reforms -Most Republicans were Protestants who viewed their party as the defender of traditional American morals and values

  7. Democrats • “Party of personal liberty” • Democrats dominated the South where white voters remained anti-Republican following the Civil War and reconstruction • Support of Catholics and immigrants in big cities

  8. Voter turn-out and elections • Narrow wins between 1876-1896 • Swing states of N.Y., Ohio, and P.A. • In 1876 and 1888, candidates lost popular vote but won election

  9. Election of 1884 • Democrats nominate Grover Cleveland of N.Y. • Republicans nominate James G. Blaine, former Speaker of the House • Credit Mobilier scandal • Mugwumps- Republicans who support Cleveland-moral leaders who help nation over political parties and divisions. N.Y. and Massachusetts

  10. Business and Economy • Worker unrest- Haymarket Square Riot 1886 • Rebates for large corporations • Government should not interfere with corporations’ property rights • Wabash v. Illinois 1886 • Interstate Commerce Commission • Limited RR rates to “reasonable and just” • Forbade rebates to high volume users • Made it illegal to charger higher rates for shorter hauls

  11. Election of 1888 • Cleveland and Democrats campaign against unnecessarily high tariffs • Republicans nominate Benjamin Harrison • McKinley Tariff- cut tobacco taxes and rates on raw sugar but increased textiles to discourage people from buying imports -> Budget deficit Increased payment to Civil War veterans as well

  12. Sherman Antitrust Act 1890 • Declared illegal any “combination in the form of trust…in restraint of trade or commerce among the several States…”

More Related