Gilded Age Presidents Timeline
Use Ch. 7 Section 3 of the textbook to complete the table below. Respond to each question and add any
other key facts about each president.
President
Rutherford B. Hayes
Years Served
1877-1881
Political Party
Republican
Key Issues/Highlights
What did Hayes do to promote civil service
reform?
Hired independents to his Cabinet (not affiliated
with any party)
Set up a commission to investigate patronage in
customhouses (fired 2 top officials from his own
party).
Other facts: Created a rift in the Rep. party
when he fired officials: Stalwarts (supported the
spoils system) vs. Reformers (wanted civil service
reform)
James A. Garfield
Jan. – Sept.
1881
Republican
In the debate over civil service reform, did
Garfield side with the Stalwarts or the
reformers?
Reformers – wanted to change the spoils system
Other facts: Assassinated in 1881 by Charles
Guiteau, a Stalwart who was turned down for a
job
Chester A. Arthur
1881-1885
Republican
What did the Pendleton Civil Service Act do?
Set up a bipartisan commission to appoint
people to federal jobs based on merit
(qualifications)
Other facts: Was Garfield’s VP – became
President when Garfield died; originally a
Stalwart but changed when he became President
Grover Cleveland
1885-1889
Democrat
What was Cleveland’s position on tariffs, and
what did he do to promote this position?
Wanted lower tariffs, but Congress would not
support this; ran his re-election campaign based
on lowering tariffs
Other facts: lost to Harrison in 1888 BUT won
the popular vote
Benjamin Harrison
1889-1893
Republican
What was Harrison’s position on tariffs, and
what did he do to promote this position?
Supported higher tariffs; his campaign was
financed by big companies who wanted higher
tariffs; McKinley Tariff Act signed in 1890 –
raised tariffs on manufactured imports
Other facts: former Senator of IN; grandson of
William Henry Harrison
Grover Cleveland (2.0)
1893-1897
Democrat
What decision was made about the McKinley
tariff during Cleveland’s 2nd term?
Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act was passed – it
lowered tariffs but also added an income tax;
Cleveland supported the lower tariffs but not the
income tax – the bill had to pass w/o his
signature
Other facts: Only President to serve 2 nonconsecutive terms
William McKinley
1897-1901
Republican
What happened to tariffs during McKinley’s
presidency?
Tariffs were raised again
Other facts: Assassinated in 1901, 6 months
into his 2nd term; he sponsored the McKinley
Tariff Act when he was still in Congress