19th Century Party Politics

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Questions and Answers

What characterized American national politics during the late nineteenth century?

  • Consistent Democratic Party dominance in popular support.
  • The emergence of a dominant multi-party system.
  • A nearly even split in popular support between Democrats and Republicans. (correct)
  • Consistent Republican Party dominance in popular support.

Which group would have been LEAST likely to vote Democratic in the late nineteenth century?

  • Unskilled wage earners.
  • Northern Blacks. (correct)
  • Protestant farmers in the South.
  • Roman Catholics of immigrant origin.

Before civil service reform, where were the most federal government jobs available for presidential appointment?

  • The Attorney General's Office.
  • The Post Office. (correct)
  • The Department of the Treasury.
  • The Department of the Army.

Which act was largely a response to President Garfield's assassination?

<p>The Pendleton Civil Service Act. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which president served two nonconsecutive terms in office?

<p>Grover Cleveland (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the most significant issue in the presidential election of 1888?

<p>The tariff. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

On what constitutional basis did Congress justify the Sherman Antitrust Act?

<p>Its power to regulate interstate commerce. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the political outcome of the 1892 national elections?

<p>The Democratic Party gained control of both houses of Congress and the presidency for the first time since 1878. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What were the Granger Laws primarily intended to regulate?

<p>Railroad and warehouse rates. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the Chautauqua movement represent?

<p>The thirst of many Americans for entertainment, education, and enlightenment. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What company emerged in the 1870s to provide goods to farmers via mail order?

<p>Montgomery Ward and Company. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which activity was NOT carried out by the Grangers during the 1860s and 1870s?

<p>Forging a political coalition with organized labor. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who was a prominent leader of the Southern Farmers' Alliance and the People's Party?

<p>Tom Watson. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which policy was NOT favored by the Populists in 1892?

<p>Abolition of the graduated income tax. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which factor was NOT a contributory cause of the Panic of 1893?

<p>The tax policies of the federal government on big business. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did Jacob S. Coxey propose to alleviate unemployment resulting from the Panic of 1893?

<p>Creating jobs through government public works programs. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the expression "Crime of '73" refer to?

<p>The discontinuance of silver coinage. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the most pressing issue during the 1896 presidential campaign?

<p>The Money Question (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary significance of the "Cross of Gold" speech?

<p>It led to William Jennings Bryan's Democratic presidential nomination. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why did the issue of free coinage of silver diminish in importance among farmers after 1896?

<p>Farm prices began to rise. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What concept underpinned justifications by intellectuals for American Imperialism in the late 19th century?

<p>Manifest Destiny (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the main economic motivations behind U.S. imperialism in the late 19th century?

<p>Securing new sources of raw materials and markets for American goods (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which event served as an immediate catalyst for the Spanish-American War?

<p>The sinking of the USS Maine (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What territories did the United States acquire as a result of the Spanish-American War?

<p>The Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Platt Amendment, which was imposed on Cuba?

<p>To limit Cuba's treaty-making abilities and allow the U.S. to intervene in Cuban affairs (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best characterizes the Anti-Imperialist League's arguments against U.S. expansion?

<p>Imperialism contradicted the American ideals of self-government and liberty. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of the Open Door Policy?

<p>To ensure equal access for all nations to trade with China. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the United States respond to the Boxer Rebellion in China?

<p>By joining a multinational military force to suppress the rebellion. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main objective of the Foraker Act of 1900?

<p>Establishing a civil government in Puerto Rico under U.S. control. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role did Yellow Journalism play in swaying popular opinion towards the Spanish-American War?

<p>It exaggerated Spanish atrocities and fueled pro-war sentiment. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which president's policies were most closely aligned with the Gold Standard Act of 1900?

<p>William McKinley (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the impact of the Spanish-American War on the United States' global standing?

<p>It solidified the U.S. as a major imperial power with overseas territories (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Dark Horse

A political candidate not considered a front runner; their victory would be surprising.

Cooperatives

Business enterprises owned and operated by members for their benefit and profit.

Laissez Faire

The theory that the economy operates best without government interference.

Stalwarts

Factions in the Republican Party; favored traditional machine politics and the spoils system.

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Half-Breeds

Factions in the Republican Party; advocated civil service reform and merit appointments.

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Pendleton Act

Established a merit-based system for government employment. Made it illegal to fire or demote some government employees for political reasons.

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Sherman Antitrust Act

The first Federal act that outlawed monopolistic business practices

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Interstate Commerce Act

Established the ICC to regulate railroads and interstate commerce.

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Montgomery Ward & Co.

A mail-order company that catered to rural customers.

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The Grange

An organization of farmers that sought to address economic hardships.

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Populism

A political movement that advocated for the rights and power of the common people.

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Mary A. Lease

A fiery Populist orator known for her activism.

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Farmers' Alliances

Organizations of farmers that emerged to address economic issues and advocate for reform.

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"Free Silver"

Advocated for the free, unlimited coinage of silver.

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Coxey's Army

A protest march of unemployed workers led by Jacob Coxey, advocating for public works programs.

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"Crime of '73"

Refers to the US decision to stop coining silver in 1873.

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William McKinley

US President who advocated for high tariffs and the gold standard.

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McKinley Tariff

Tariff that raised import duties to protect American businesses and agriculture

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William Jennings Bryan

A powerful speaker and advocate for free silver, nominated in 1896.

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Currency/Gold Standard Act of 1900

Established the gold standard in the United States.

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Yellow Journalism

Sensationalist journalism that relied on exaggeration and scandal.

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Foraker Act

Established a civil government in Puerto Rico, then a US territory.

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Emilio Aguinaldo

The leader of the Filipino rebellion against Spanish and later American colonial rule.

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Platt Amendment

Gave the U.S. the right to intervene in Cuba to preserve order.

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"Open Door"

A policy advocated by the US to allow all nations equal trade access to China.

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Boxer Rebellion

An anti-foreign uprising in China that threatened Western interests.

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Study Notes

Party Politics in the Late 19th Century

  • American party politics during this period was characterized by a close balance between the two major parties.
  • This equilibrium existed especially from the mid-1870s to the early 1890s.

Political Engagement

  • Politics played a significant role for eligible voters in the late 19th century.
  • The level of importance may differ from that of present-day voters.

Party Distinctions

  • Regional, religious, and ethnic factors distinguished the two major parties.
  • Cultural issues often divided the parties, despite agreement on basic issues.

Role of the National Government

  • The national government's role was limited, mainly providing Civil War pensions and the postal service.

Patronage System

  • The patronage system led to the dominance of local and state political organizations in national politics.
  • It also impacted the presidency, particularly during Rutherford B. Hayes's term.

Civil Service Reform

  • President James Garfield's assassination was a catalyst for civil service reform.
  • Chester A. Arthur reacted to Garfield's assassination by supporting civil service reform.

Election of 1888

  • The presidential election of 1888 was centered around the tariff issue.
  • The tariff became a key issue and influenced the election's outcome.

Sherman Antitrust Act

  • Passage of the Sherman Antitrust Act was spurred by concerns over monopolies.
  • The Sherman Antitrust Act had limited initial impact.

Republican Setbacks

  • Significant Republican losses occurred in the 1890 and 1892 elections.
  • Cleveland's efforts to lower tariffs after reelection yielded limited results.

Interstate Commerce Act

  • The demise of the Granger Laws was related to the passage of the Interstate Commerce Act.
  • The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) was largely ineffectual.

The Grange

  • The Grange's emphasis shifted over time.
  • The organization eventually declined in importance.

Farmers' Alliance

  • The Farmers' Alliance had a specific vision for agricultural reform.
  • Women played a role in the Farmers' Alliance.

Rise of the Populist Party

  • The Farmers' Alliance transformed into the People's Party.

Populist Demographics

  • Populism attracted specific types of individuals.
  • Populist leaders had distinct characteristics.

Populist Ideology

  • Basic elements of Populist ideology were reflected in the party's platform.
  • The movement struggled to gain significant labor support.

Panic of 1893

  • The Panic of 1893 had both immediate and long-range causes.
  • The depression that followed was severe.

Silver Coinage

  • Developments after 1873 led to a coalition of farmers and miners supporting silver coinage.
  • "Free silver" was seen as a solution to economic problems.

Gold Standard Issue

  • The gold standard issue divided the Democratic Party.

William Jennings Bryan

  • William Jennings Bryan won the Democratic presidential nomination in 1896.
  • Bryan's candidacy put the Populists in a difficult position.

Election of 1896

  • The 1896 campaign was marked by strong emotions.
  • Bryan performed well in certain regions, but ultimately lost.

McKinley and Bimetallism

  • President William McKinley addressed the bimetallism question.
  • Events during his administration helped resolve the issue.

Decline of Agrarian Discontent

  • Agrarian discontent declined after 1896 due to rising farm prices.

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