HIST 2112 1ST Edition Lecture 6 Outline of Last Lecture I.RockefellerII.Political Cartoons/National Public CirculationsIII.Sherman Antitrust ActIV.Protective TarifV.National Labor Uniona.Knights of LaborVI.ANARCHISTVII.Strikes break outVIII.American Federation of LaborOutline of Current Lecture IX.Politics of the Gilded Age:a.Rutherford B. Haynesb.James A. Garfieldc. Chester A. ArthurX. Pendleton Service ActXI. Republican divide is severeXII. Republicans RestoredXIII. Panic of 1893XIV. Grange—CooperativeXV. Farmer’s Alliance and Colored Farmer’s AllianceXVI. Bland-Allison ActXVII. Sherman Silver Purchase ActCurrent Lecture9/03/13: The Gilded Age and The Progressive Era Politics of the Gilded Age:- 1877-1881, Rutherford B. Haynes (popular vote victory margin: -250k) Parties were equally matched Republican party reach a divide: (schism from turmoil of Grant years)These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.o Stalwartso Half Breeds “Spoils System”o System based on partisan affiliation not merit, for high offices, etc.- 1881, James A. Garfield (9k) Northern states stayed loyal to nominate a union general Vaguely attached to Half Breeds Stalwarts felt left outo Charles Guiteau (a stalwart)o Disappointed by not getting appointed by Garfieldo Shot Garfield as retaliation- 1882-1885, Chester A. Arthur Fired as collector in customs Vice President of Garfield, because he was a stalwart (balanced ticket) Assumes presidency after Garfield’s assassination Pendleton Service Act:- Placed all federal employees to an extent on merit- Could only be removed if “lacking merit”- Provision president could increase the number of civil service employees- “Grandfathered” friends into the system- Put 14% of all government jobs on merit system- Worked to eliminate those appointed based on support shown and money raised- Beginning of modern civil service  1884, Republican Divide is Severe:- James G. Blaine Leader of Half Breeds Egotistical, shady- Democrats are encouraged to nominate an epitome of virtue: Grover Cleveland (29k)- However, they discover he had an afair and child out of wedlock- Blaine: “waving the bloody shirt”- Democrats were considered “Party of Rebellion”- Blaine’ dinner party: Dinner with all republicans A Presbyterian minster denounced the Democrats as the party of “Rum, Romanism and Rebellion” Dinner talk outraged Roman Catholic voters- First democratic elected since 1866: Grover Cleveland Only president to enter White House as a bachelor Cleveland hated fraud of civil war pensions to Union veterans (conservative about politics) Threw out pensions he thought were fraud Frugal attitude Western farmers were rejectedo People should support the government, not the government support the people 1889-1893, Republicans Restored:- Benjamin Harrison (-9k) Dullest personality and wits During presidency, introduced electricity into the White House Signed more pensions - 1893-1897, Cleveland back in presidency Only president to serve two non-consecutive terms Panic of 1893:- Major bank failure in Great Britain- British held most US stock- When bank failed, they dumped the stocks- Since they paid in gold, the were paid back in gold- Creates pressure on US gold supply Famer’s Economic and Social Status Decline:- Farm prices down- Interest rates up- 1860, farmers 30% of national income- 1880, farmers 15% of national income- Credit drain to stronger returns than crop futures- Newspapers highlight city fold- Tarifs Raised prices Cost 30% more on items that farmer’s needed to farm and live- Export demand dropped- Crop price change 1860, 1,200 bushels of wheat=$1,000 1880, 2,300 bushels of wheat=$1,000 1867, Grange—Cooperative:- Agricultural Midwest association- Formed cooperatives- Buy in bulk and sell in bulk- Lobbied for laws favorable to farmers- Doesn’t become a full political movement 1880s, Farmer’s Alliance and Colored Farmer’s Alliance:- Organized by region- Formed cooperatives- Successor of Grange- Transcend Grange in politics- Wanted to extend currency supply (because farmers were heavily in debt) Greenback Party:- Issued during Civil War- Supposed to be exchanged for gold- Inflation- Choked out gold standard- Party opposed any reduction in the amount of paper money in circulation 1875, Specie Resumption Act:- Recall all greenbacks- Redeemed for gold 1878 Bland-Allison Act:- Silver money back in rotation- Silver-interest lobby wants silver back in circulation- Stipulates congress to let out silver $2 million-$4 million of silver coins per month- 16 to 1 A standard set to show relative value of silver to gold Thought value of currency was inherit to its precious metal- Republicans didn’t like Bland-Allison Act Never bought more than $2 million Coined, but never introduced into circulation- Becomes subsidy for silver industry NOT currency 1890, Sherman Silver Purchase Act:- Required government to buy 4.5 million ounces per month- Paid for with silver certificates- Redeemable in gold or