| Late 19th Century Agrarian Discontent and Political Issues (1857-1896) |
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Sections:- Agrarian Unification
- Populism
- Assassination of President Garfield
- Free Silver
- William Jennings Bryan
- Social Darwinism
- Gospel of Wealth
- Anti-Minority Legislation
- Plessy v Ferguson
- Election Results
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| Historical Context
The monetary deflation and fall in commodity prices following the Civil War hurt farmers almost immediately, causing widespread debt and the loss of land. Noting the success of the unions for the country’s laborers, organizations for farmers were founded.
Attached Documents
The National Grange was an organization designed to pool the abilities of local farmers to political and economic ends. The Farmers’ Alliance was formed in 1876 in Texas and spread throughout the country, with its strongest hold in the South and the Great Plains. The Farmers’ Alliance was a precursor to the Populist Party, which rose to power soon after the demise of the original organization. The symbolic and ritualistic tendency of the Grange can be seen in the Joining the Grange and the Suggestions articles below. The Resolutions from an Illinois Farmers’ Alliance Meeting elucidates the goals of the Alliance.
Questions to Consider
1. What does the main focus of the Grange appear to be?
2.What does the main focus of the Farmer’s Alliance appear to be?
3. Do these organizations seem compatible?
4. Can you see the precursor to a large-scale political movement in the resolutions of the Illinois Farmers’ Alliance Meeting? What section of the population, other than farmers, would this type of platform appeal to? |
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| Historical Context
Populism is a political movement that enjoyed its peak during the late nineteenth century when it combined the regionalist views of working class, middle class, and farmers to represent the people on the national stage.Attached Documents
The excerpts from the Omaha Platform better describe the goals of the populist party at a federal level.
Questions to Consider
1. What is seen as the primary goals of the Populist party according to its platform? How were these represented in the media through the political cartoons?
2. Why was the Populist party able to garner so much support at this specific point in time? How do you think current events contributed to its success? |
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| Historical Context
Charles Guiteau shot James Garfield less than four months after taking the presidency, although his wounds were not fatal the incompetent medical care that he received following the attempt took his life over two months later. Guiteau was apparently upset over his rejection after repeated attempts to be appointed as the consul in Paris; he was denied because of his lack in qualifications as well as his mental illness. Garfield’s assassination became a catalyst for the passage of the Civil Service Reform Act, which officially made the United States’ bureaucracy a meritocracy instead of a system rooted in patronage and graft.
Questions to Consider
1. What does Dr. Newman site as the leading causes for the assassination of President Garfield? Does he place blame on a specific person or group?
2. What is the primary goal of the Civil Service Act? Does it serve to reform the system or does it simply shift the burden of governmental appointments?
3. What does the Times article concerning the president’s death claim was the cause? Knowing that the president’s cause of death has been determined to be infection caused by the probing of his doctors, how does this article express the level of available medical care prior to the turn of the century? |
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| Historical Context
The Sherman Silver Purchase Act became federal law in 1890, increasing the amount of silver the government must purchase every month. It increased the amount required by the Bland-Allison Act of 1878 by 4.5 million ounces. American citizens began to redeem their silver notes for gold, depleting the Federal Reserve. Following the onset of the 1893 depression, Grover Cleveland repealed the acts to protect the American Economy.
Attached Documents
An edited version of his address to congress concerning the repeal is included below.
Questions to Consider
1. What was Cleveland’s reasoning for wanting to repeal the Silver Purchase Act?
2. Would the president’s argument stand up to modern economics?
3. What does the first cartoon show as the most reprehensible qualities of the democratic and populist parties?
4. What impression does the second cartoon give of the silver issue?
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| Historical Context
William Jennings Bryan was one of the most prominent leaders of the Progressive movement who served as a Congressman for two terms and was the Democratic Party’s nominee for the Presidency three times. He was called “The Great Commoner” because of his support and belief in the “common people.” His support for the backing of American currency with silver instead of gold was due to the presumed inflation that it would cause, allowing farmers to more easily pay back their debts.
Questions to Consider
1. What does the image in the cartoon suggest about Bryan’s politics? To what groups does he appeal?
2. How does Bryan cast the national destiny? How does this view play into his vision of the common man’s supremacy?
3. How does Bryan’s vision also support of the silver platform and the national income tax as he explains it in his famous “Cross of Gold” speech? |
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| Historical Context
Social Darwinism is a theory that was popularized in the late 19th century by Herbert Spencer. It attempts to apply Darwin’s theory of natural selection to the competition between societies or groups within societies as they differ by ethnicity.Questions to Consider
1. How valid is the application of a scientific principle to the systems of human interaction and capability? |
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| Historical Context
Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish immigrant who quickly rose through the ranks of American society with the help of his own determination. He founded the Carnegie Steel Company, which later became US Steel where he made his great fortune. Attached Documents
In 1889, Carnegie wrote “The Gospel of Wealth” an essay preaching that it was necessary for the new upper class of self-made rich to practice philanthropy so that their fortunes were put to good use and not wasted on frivolity.
Questions to Consider
1. What is Carnegie’s argument for philanthropy to be incorporated into the lifestyle of the new rich?
2. Why are the three men in Carnegie’s audience so shocked by his assertion? Hint: They are (J.P.) Morgan, (E. H.) Harriman, and John D. (Rockefeller).
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| Historical Context
During the late 19th Century, many Americans supported the closing of borders and eliminating those people who seemed to threaten their way of life. For a number of reasons ranging from Protectionism to Social Darwinism to blatant xenophobia among many others, American citizens began to press for defensive legislation. Attached Documents
The Chinese Exclusion Act directly attempted to keep the Chinese from being able to live in the United States. In Chester Arthur’s presentation to Congress he describes his reasons for the United States needing reform concerning the position of Native Americans in the country. The Dawes Act, passed nearly 6 years later established the reservation system of government for the Natives Americans. Questions to Consider
1. How does the Chinese Exclusion Act propose to eliminate the Chinese nationals? Does it present a functional plan?
2. How does the Dawes Act propose to move the Native Americans? Does it present a functional plan?
3. How does the president’s address reflect the national sentiment at this time? Does he see the native population as a threat or a bother? |
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| Historical Context
In 1896, the Supreme Court of the United States decided the landmark Plessy v. Ferguson; it essentially proved segregation constitutional, in other words, things could be “separate but equal.” The decision was not over turned until Brown v The Topeka Board of Education. Excerpts from both the Majority Opinion and Harlan’s famous dissent are provided below to show the disparity in opinion on the matter.
Questions to Consider
1. What were the main points of justification used to affirm the Majority opinion?
2. What were Justice Harlan’s reasons for not agreeing with the Majority opinion? Are these reasons what students expected?
3. How difficult do you think it is for justices to make decisions based solely on the constitutionality of an issue without regard to their personal opinions on a matter? |
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Attached Documents
These Maps show the presidential election results from the 1876 through the 1896 election years.
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