Political Paralysis in the Gilded Age

The prevalent belief that a successful military leader would also be an effective president.

Term used to describe the intense focus on the Civil War by the Republicans during elections in the post-war era, using it to appeal to emotional sentiment.

The Union party, which had united various factions during the Civil War, dissolved after the conflict, leaving the Republicans as the dominant party.

Grant's platform focused on pacifying the nation, appealing to the desire for peace after the Civil War.

The debate over whether to redeem war bonds in gold or greenbacks (paper currency) highlighted the conflicting interests of different economic groups.

The Ohio Idea, proposed by Midwestern delegates, advocated for redeeming government bonds in greenbacks, aiming to keep more money in circulation and lower interest rates.

The heated debate over the monetary policy reflected the deep divide between different economic interest groups, setting the stage for financial conflicts that persisted into the 20th century.

The period of economic decline and decreasing prices following the Civil War, marked by a contractionary monetary policy and a reduction of greenbacks.

A policy aimed at reducing the amount of money in circulation, often achieved by decreasing the number of greenbacks (paper money).

The process of returning to a system of using gold and silver as the primary form of currency, after the Civil War's period of using paper money.

A situation where the value of money increases, while the prices of goods and services decrease, often due to reduced inflation or a contractionary monetary policy.

Also known as the Greenback Party, an American political party formed in 1874 that advocated for the expansion of paper money (greenbacks) as a means of combating deflation and promoting economic growth.

A satirical term coined by Mark Twain in 1873 to describe the era following the Civil War, emphasizing the outward appearance of prosperity masking underlying economic problems.

The period of time between 1869 and 1891, characterized by intense political competition and frequent shifts of power between the major political parties, even though few significant economic issues separated them.

The act of officially ending the use of paper money (greenbacks) and returning to the use of gold and silver coins as primary currency, which occurred in 1879.

The policy of maintaining a stable monetary system based on gold and silver, advocated by Republican hard-money adherents during the Gilded Age.

A legal principle that guarantees citizenship to anyone born in the United States, regardless of their parents' nationality.

A legal principle that grants citizenship to a person based on the nationality of their parents, even if they were born outside of the country.

The legal case that upheld the 14th Amendment's guarantee of citizenship to all persons born in the United States, including Chinese Americans.

The time period after the American Civil War when the South was rebuilt and its societal structures were re-established.

A set of laws and customs that enforced racial segregation in the South after the Reconstruction Era.

A legal ruling by the Supreme Court that upheld racial segregation in the South. It declared “separate but equal” facilities constitutional as it applied to the Fourteenth Amendment's “equal protection” clause.

The systematic and widespread use of violence and intimidation against Black Americans, particularly in the South, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

A period of time after the Civil War when the South witnessed a significant rise in the number of Black Americans being lynched, often for asserting themselves as equals.

The act of violently killing someone without a fair trial, often carried out by a mob.

The situation where Black Americans faced inferior treatment and resources in areas like education and public facilities in the South.

The legal doctrine that allowed the creation of separate but supposedly equal facilities for Black and White Americans, while maintaining racial segregation.

A legal document that guarantees equal protection under the law for all citizens, despite its misuse to justify segregation in the Plessy v. Ferguson case.

A period of significant social and political change, similar to the Reconstruction Era, that would be needed to address the racial imbalance and injustices faced by Black Americans in the South.

A deal reached in 1877 which resolved the disputed presidential election between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel Tilden, granting the presidency to Hayes in exchange for the withdrawal of federal troops from the South and the end of Reconstruction.

A period in the United States following the Civil War where the federal government took measures to protect the civil rights of formerly enslaved people and help integrate them into society.

The end of Reconstruction was marked by the withdrawal of federal troops from the South, which allowed for the rise of Jim Crow laws and the return to white supremacy.

The Civil Rights Act of 1875 was a last attempt by Republicans to protect civil rights for African Americans. It aimed to make it illegal for businesses to discriminate based on race. However, the Supreme Court declared much of this act unconstitutional in 1883.

The Civil Rights Cases of 1883 were Supreme Court rulings that weakened the Civil Rights Act of 1875. The Court argued that the Fourteenth Amendment only protected individuals from government discrimination, not discrimination by private citizens.

The disputed presidential election of 1876 involved a close race between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel J. Tilden. The outcome was highly contested and led to a political deadlock. The compromise of 1877 resolved the dispute, but it also marked the end of Reconstruction.

The Compromise of 1877 allowed Hayes to secure the presidency, but it came at a steep price. The Democratic Party was allowed to take control of the South in return for endorsing Hayes' win. This agreement effectively ended Reconstruction and allowed the South to return to a system of segregation and racial oppression.

The withdrawal of federal troops from the South in 1877 marked the end of Reconstruction. This withdrawal allowed for the rise of white-supremacist regimes and the implementation of Jim Crow laws, which stripped African Americans of their civil rights.