Gilded Age #1

I. POLITICS OF THE GILDED AGE

A. Republicans received

support from Union
supporters, Blacks, and
every other “little man”,
etc.

B. Democrats received support

from Southern Whites,
political machines………

Do these political parties have the same
platform today? Be able to explain.

C. Election of 1876: Rutherford B. Hayes (R) vs
Samuel Tilden (D)…Hayes won.

1. The election was disputed, but resolved

with the Compromise of 1877

* Democrats agreed to accept Hayes as
President.
* Hayes agreed to end Reconstruction.

https://www.history.com/topics/us-p
residents/compromise-of-1877

D. Election of 1880: James Garfield (R) v Winfield

Scott Hancock (D)
1. Garfield won, but was shot twice in July of

1881, and died 80 days later.

Assassination or Medical Negligence?

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/dir
ty-painful-death-president-james-garfield

2. Garfield’s death put the “spotlight” on the

patronage system or spoils system.

a. The man that killed Garfield believed he had
been promised a job, in return for helping him
get elected.

Which of the following men killed President Garfield?

E. Chester Arthur, Garfield’s VP, then assumed

office

1. Major events of Arthur's administration

a. Passage of the Pendleton Civil Service

Act 1883.

* civil service exams were implemented to

ensure fair and equitable hiring and
promotion practices for federal jobs.

2. Arthur will sign the Chinese
Exclusion Act of 1882, which will
drastically reduce the # of Chinese
immigrants allowed into the U.S.

a. 1st IMMIGRATION POLICY IN U.S.
HISTORY.
b. California played a major role in

getting this law passed.

c. Most unions supported this law.

Why would California push for immigration policy and why
would the unions be on board?

3. Arthur convinced Congress to provide money
to upgrade the U.S. Navy.

a. By 1898 the U.S. Navy ranked 5th among the

world fleets…just in time for the Spanish
American War!

What navy ship exploded in the months leading up to the
Spanish American War?

F. Election of 1884: Grover Cleveland (D) v

James Blaine (R)…Cleveland won.
1. Republicans who voted for Cleveland were

referred to as mugwumps.

** Cleveland is the only President to ever
get married in the White House. And the
only sitting President who had a baby born
in the White House.
**JFK had a son born in ‘63, but he lived
less than 48 hrs

G. Election of 1888: Benjamin Harrison (R) v Grover

Cleveland (D)..Harrison won.

1. Signed the Sherman Antitrust Act .

2. Pushed for civil rights legislation.

3. Signed the McKinley Tariff, a protective tariff

which raised the tax (or duty) on many goods
to almost 50%

FYI: Harrison’s grandfather was Pres. William Harrison, who holds the
unfortunate distinction of being the first President to die in office after serving
the shortest term of any President….32 days.

What is being protected in a

protective Tariff?

H. Election of 1892: Grover Cleveland (D) v

Benjamin Harrison (R) v James Weaver
(Populists, won 14 Congressional seats)

1. Cleveland won.
2. The only President in U.S. history to serve

two non-consecutive terms.

3. Issues injunction to break up the

Pullman Strike.

I. Election of 1896: William McKinley (R) v

William Jennings Bryan (D & P)..McKinley wins.

1. During his 1st administration the

U.S. will win the Spanish American
War; annex Hawaii; and initiate the
Open Door Policy in China.

McKinley's 2nd term VP was the leader of the Rough Riders in the
Spanish American War. Who was he?

2. McKinley will select Theodore Roosevelt as

his VP nominee for his re-election in 1900.
They win.
** On Sept. 6, 1901, McKinley will be shot

and die 8 days later on Sept. 14.

Up to this point, McKinley is the
3rd president assassinated. Who
are the other two?