Gilded Age Progressive Era
(1870’s1920’s)
Political Parties
Republicans: the republican party which arose in 1854 consists mainly of northern
white Protestants, businessmen, small business owners, professionals, Factory
workers, farmers, and African Americans
The Republicans formed due to the Kansas-Nebraska Act and have been a
leading political party ever since.
Platform
*Pro- Business
*Expanding Railroads, Businesses and Banks
*Gold Standard
*Protective tariffs for workers
Political Parties
Democrats: The Democratic party came as a spin off from the DemocraticRepublican party, and formed to oppose the federalist party.
The Democrats opposed a National Bank, and the United States working with
Britain.
Platform
* Weak Federal Government
*States Rights
*Strict policy of following the constitution
Political Parties
Populists: The populist party arose in favor of the Western and Southern farmers
who were affected by the Mckinley tariff, because of this tariff the farmers were
forced to buy expensive manufactured goods.
The Populist party was formed when the “Farmers Alliance” merged with many
small democratic parties.
Platform
*Cheap Silver Money 16 ounces of Silver to 1 ounce of Gold
*Government ownership of railroads and telephone companies
*Graduated income tax
*Direct election of senators
*Immigration restrictions
*Shorter work days
Political Parties
Progressives: Founded by Theodore Roosevelt, after him and Taft split the
Republican Party.
Platform:
Minimum wage law for women
8 Hour work day
Farmers Relief
Workers Compensation
Federal Income tax
Diminishing business corruption and political corruption
Rutherford B. Hayes
(March 4, 1877- March 4. 1881) Republican
Rutherford B. Hayes won his election due to
the Compromise of 1877 in which the
democrats agreed to Hayes’ controversial
victory only if Hayes agreed to end all
federal army intervention in the souths
politics.
Hayes believed in equal treatment of all
races, improvements in education, he put in
place civil service reforms, and advocated
the gold standard.
Railroad strike of 1877- Railroads workers
went on strike because of salary cuts,
hayes ended this strike by using troops to
suppress strikes.
Vetoed Bland-Allison Act Would Have put
silver money into circulation and eventually
would’ve caused prices to rise.
Hayes advocated the Dawes Severalty Act of
1887-Outlawed tribal ownership of land and
forced 160 acres into the hands of individual
indians.
Goal: Assimilate Indians
Outcome: Outcast of indians
James Garfield & Chester Arthur(1881-1885)
James Garfield became president in 1881,
after just 1 year as president he was
assassinated by Charles Guiteau.
Garfield’s Vice President, Chester Arthur took
over just one week after.
These two men didn't have an eventful
presidency.
President arthur passed the Pendleton ActWhich created the Civil Service
Commission to make sure Federal
employees were being hired on merit, and
that employees of the government weren't
being put in government offices solely
because they had money, or strong
friendships with important people.
Republicans
Chester Arthur
James Garfield
Grover Cleveland(1885–1889 and 1893–1897) Democrat
Grover Cleveland’s first term was uneventful,
and came to an end because of his lowering
tariffs policy which was beat by Benjamin
Harrison’s Higher Tariff policy
Grover Cleveland was the founder of the
Bourbon Democrats whose platform
opposed Free-Silver, Inflation, Subsidies to
veterans, and High Tariffs.
During Cleveland's first term he battled The
Pullmen Strike and during his second term
he battled the Depression 1893-During the
depression gold reserves sank due to
trading and Cleveland repealed the
Sherman- Silver Act, during this depression
the U.S treasury was at one of its lowest
points 41,000,000.
Cleveland was a non-interventionist, he
opposed imperialism and expansion
During cleveland's administration Coxey's army
marched for debt relief programs.
Benjamin Harrison(1889-1893)Republican
Benjamin Harrison Focused on home during
his presidency, he passed many pieces of
legislation which bettered the United States
economy, society, and political policy, these
include…
Sherman Silver Purchase act- Which allowed the
government to buy more silver to produce currency.
The Pension Act- Which gave money to civil war veterans
Mckinley Tariff- Which increased duties on foreign goods
to 50%
Land Revision Act of 1891- Created National Forests
During Harrison's administration the U.S.S Texas was
Built, and advancements such as the battleship were
added to the United States Military.
William Mckinley(1897-1901)Republican
Before president Mckinley was assassinated in September
1901, he guided the united states to win the SpanishAmerican War. Mckinly was an advocate of the Gold
Standard, and protective tariffs.
In 1890 he created the Mckinley tariff which increased the
duty to 50%.
in 1897 he created the dingley tariff which protected
manufacturing companies from foreign competition.
During Mckinley's presidency he annexed Hawaii as an
independent republic.
“Open Door Policy”- All nations would freely trade with
china without trying to take over the country.
Teller Amendment- Cuba would be independent as long
as spain left.
Mckinley was assassinated at the Pan American
Association in New York.
Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909)Republican (Progressive)
Theodore Roosevelt was strongly against “Trusts”, or large
corporations, he became known as the trustbuster, breaking up
major monopolies such as the Standard Oil Company.
Roosevelt (Speak Softly And Carry a big stick) policy took advantage of
smaller nations.
Panama Canal- Roosevelt advocated the panama canal, but because
of opposition he had to have the Hay-Bunau-varilla treaty created it
gave the ownership of canal lands to the U.S.
Roosevelt Corollary-The United states would collect and distribute
debts to Europe because the United States is the only country
allowed to get involved with latin american affairs.
Gentleman's agreement- Japanese kids can go to schools in America
as long as japan reduced its immigration numbers.
Muckrakers caused public to demand regulations of food, and drugs
with the Meat Inspection Act, and the Pure Food and Drug Act.
Hepburn act- Strengthened Interstate Commerce Commission and
gave it control of the Railroads.
Environmental Conservation: Roosevelt set aside several million acres
of forest and ore rich land.
Newlands act- Sold federal lands in the west to make money for
irrigation projects.
“Square Deal”
Roosevelt promised to focus on home policies, like
organized labor, big businesses, and preserving
the nation's resources such as ore, and forests.
William Taft(1909-1913)Republican
Dollar Diplomacy: Taft used money as
leverage, he believed he could get small
countries to back up the United States if we
gave them money to support their
economies. This eventually Failed.
“Trust Busting”- taft continued Roosevelts
antitrust sentiment, and filed 90
lawsuits.Taft Dissolved J.P Morgans trust,
and John Rockefeller's.
Payne-Aldrich Tariff- So many amendments
that it didn't really change the tariff at all.
Woodrow Wilson(1913-1916)Democrat
Wilsons Legilation
In Wilson's first 4 years he Reduced the tariff, Passed
more anti-trust legislation, and Reformed the Banking
system
Underwood Tariff- reduced duties on foreign goods from
40% to 25%.
La Foleetes Seamans Act- Protected Sailors rights and wages on merchant
ships
Federal Farm Loan Act- gave farmers access to easy credit
Workingmen's Compensation act- Supported temporary disabled federal
employees.
Adamsons Act- 8 hour work day for all interstate railroad workers.
16th Amendment- Income tax
Clayton- Anti-trust Act- Gave congress power to punish
trusts.
Banking Reform
Federal Reserve act-created a decentralized national
bank that has 12 branches, all private banks were
owned and run by the branch of its region. The Federal
Reserve Board had final say on setting interest rates
and currency issuance. This reform helped stabilize the
nation's finances.
17th amendment- Direct election of senators
Jones act- Made philippines an official U.S territory and promised the filipinos
independence after they created a stable government.
Wars- Causes and Effects
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Indian Wars: between Americans and Native Americans
◆ Cause: as white settlers pushed further westward and
continued to push Indians from their lands
◆ Sand Creek Massacre 1864; Fetterman Massacre;
Sioux Wars 1860’s and ‘70’s; Battle of Little Bighorn;
Battle of Wounded Knee, Nez Percé
◆ Effects: contained and controlled Indians, contributed to
the integration of Indians into regular American society
Wars- Causes and Effects
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Spanish-American War: 1898-1901
o Causes: USS Maine explodes in Havana Harbor, AM
believes Spanish navy is in wretched condition
o Dewey (AM) attacks Manila harbor in Philippines
against Spanish; AM wins without fatalities
o Effects: War was quick, decisive and crumbled the
Spanish Empire; Hawaii annexed July 7th, 1898; AM now
a full-fledged Far East Power; increased AM patriotism;
AM gain European respect; AM assume dangerous
commitments and caught up in imperialism; AM get a false
sense of readiness
Treaties
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Compromise of 1877- Democrats place at presidential
patronage trough and support for a bill subsidizing Texas
and withdraw federal troops from Louisiana and South
Carolina; Pacific Railroad of a South transcontinental line;
Hayes receives remainder of votes
Native Americans- Ft. Laramie 1851(Sioux Reservation)
and Ft. Atkinson 1853: marked beginnings of reservation
system
Treaty of Paris 1898- Cuba free, Pacific island of Guam,
Puerto Rico, and Philippians go to AM
Treaties
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Panama Canal
o Hay-Pauncefote Treaty 1901
 gave AM free hand to build canal and right to fortify
it
o Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty 1903
 $40 million for canal strip of 10 miles
Foreign Policy Issues and Ideology
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Indians
o Dawes Severalty Act 1877: herd natives onto
reservations; outlawed tribal ownership of land and
forced 160-acre homesteads into the hands of individual
indians and their families with the promise of future
citizenship
o Goals: to assimilate Indians into white culture
Expansionism
Blaine’s “Big Sister” Diplomacy to Latin AM
Foreign Policy Issues and Ideology
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AM new willingness to risk war over such distant and minor
disputes demonstrated the new aggressive national mood
Monroe’s Doctrine and the Venezuelan Squall
o Border dispute between BR and Venezuela
o AM claims BR is breaching Monroe Doctrine and that
London should submit- London claimed that US should
mind own business
o Impact on BR-AM relations: LA friendlier to US; BR anger
deflected to GR- “great recollection” between BR and US
Foreign Policy Issues and Ideology
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Teller Amendment: AM proclaims that when they overthrow
the Spanish misrule, they would give Cuba their freedom
AM occupation of the Philippines
o Philippines hate compulsory Americanization and
preferred liberty
Portsmouth Conference, 1905
o Roosevelt intervenes in Russian and Japanese war in
1904
Foreign Policy Issues and Ideology
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Roosevelt’s Big Stick Diplomacy: 1899-1908
o 1904: Roosevelt Corollary to Monroe Doctrine
Dollar Diplomacy
o How supposed to work: Washington encourages bankers
to invest money into foreign areas of strategic AM concern
Honduras and Haiti
o AM feels obligated to take place of foreign countries in
Latin AM to prevent economic and political instability
Foreign Policy Issues and Ideology
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Wilson comes into office
o Hates imperialism
o Impact on foreign investments: decrease and AM pull
out of a loan to China
o Jones Acts
o Haiti and other imperialist actions (in Dominican
Republic and Virgin Islands): US marines sent to protect
AM lives and property
Social issues
The main social issues during the Gilded age and Progressive era, regarded the working conditions due
to urbanization, poor quality living, child labor, immigration, womens suffrage, civil rights and treatment
of the native americans.
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(1874) Woman’s Christian Temperance Union- promoted the idea of
abstinence from alcohol.
(1882) Chinese Exclusion Act- congress passed, completely banning Chinese
immigrants
(1889) Jane Addams found Hull House in Chicago- first settlement house that
aided immigrants and also became a meeting place for women to discuss
politics.
(1896) Plessy vs Ferguson- Supreme Court issues, which facilitated
segregation.
Social Issues
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(1916) Adamson Act- establishes an eight-hour workday for railroad workers.
(1916) Workingmen’s Compensation Act- Seeking a measure of Progressive support in
an election year, President Woodrow Wilson signed it to extend financial help to federal
employees who are injured on the job.
(1919) Eighteenth Amendment ratified- prohibiting the sale and manufacture of alcoholic
beverages. The measure was advocated by temperance groups such as the Womans
Christian Temperance Movement and Progressives.
(1920) Nineteenth Amendment ratified- Women are given the right to vote in the
amendment passed by both houses of Congress.
(1916) Federal Farm Loan Act- allowed farmers to borrow money at favorable rates of
interest.
(1916) Keating-Owen Child Labor Act- limits how many hours children are allowed to
work, and bans interstate transport of goods produced by child labor.
Publications
Writing at the time of the Gilded Age to Progressive Era, turned from the romanticism of pre-civil war to
post-war realism . Most writers wrote about the struggles of a post war society and depicted the terrible
conditions of the economy, society and overall well-being of the nation.
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1890- Jacob Riis publishes, How the Other Half Lives, depicting the living conditions of
the New York slums. Riis’s exposé supports the accusation by many Progressives and
Socialists that American capitalism fosters inequality. The expose also contained detailed
pictures.
1885- Mark Twain, who wrote Huckleberry Finn, reproduced the everyday speech of
unschooled whites and blacks, acknowledged social pretensions of the day, made fun of
the Old South, and challenged racially biased attitudes toward African-Americans.
1889- Kate Chopin used feminist ideals in The Awakening, dealing with repression of a
woman's desires.
1893- Stephen Crane’s Maggie: A Girl of the Streets depicted how urban life could turn a
young woman to prostitution.
Supreme Court Decisions
o Wabash vs. Illinois (1886) – Denial of state power to regulate interstate rates for
railroads and led to ICC
o US vs. Wong Kim Ark (1896) – Wong Kim Ark denied re-entrance to US after
visiting China due to Chinese Exclusion acts, even though he was born in the US
o Munn vs. Illinois (1877) – Allowed states to regulate certain businesses within their
borders, including railroads.
o Muller vs. Oregon (1907) – Law that limited women to ten hours of work in factories
and laundries.
o Hammer vs. Dagenhart (1917) – prohibited the interstate shipment of goods
produced by child labour
o Adkins vs. Children’s Hospital (1922) – guaranteed minimum wage to women and
children employed in District of Columbia
Acts
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Bland-Allison Act (1878) – required Treasury to buy certain amount of
silver and putting it into circulation as silver dollars (free coinage)
Pendleton Act (1883) – stipulated government jobs that should be
awarded merit; provided selection of government employees
competitive exams (civil service commission)
Interstate Commerce Act (1887) – railroads first industry subject to
federal regulation; response to demand that railroads’ conduct be
constrained
Sherman Anti-trust Act (1890) – prohibits trusts (arrangement by
which stockholders in several companies transferred shares into
single trustees)
Acts
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Corollary to Monroe Doctrine (1904) – made us “regional police”
for all Americas, offering military aid to keep foreign influences
out of the western hemisphere
Hepburn Act (1906) – formally gave Interstate Commerce
Commission authority to establish max railroad rates (enable
government to discontinue free passes to loyal shippers)
Pure Food and Drug/Meat Inspection Acts (1906) – First series
of consumer protection laws; ban foreign interstate traffic in
adulterated or mislabeled food or drug products
Clayton Anti-trust Act (1914) – addition to Sherman antitrust act
Amendments
• 16th - Allowed federal government to collect
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income tax
17th - Direct election of Senators
18th -Prohibition of manufacturing, selling, or
transfer of alcohol (temperance and Prohibition)
19th - Gave women the right to vote
Platt (1901) – 8 conditions to which Cuban
government had to agree to before US withdrew
Tariffs
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McKinley Tariff (1890) – raised protective tariff rate to nearly
50% on average
Wilson-Gorman Tariff (1894) – first peacetime income tax (2%
on income over $88,100 (2010 dollars))
Payne-Aldrich Tariff (1909) – lowered certain tariffs on goods
entering the US
Underwood Tariff (1913) – First reduction of all the existing
tariffs, but introduced graduated income tax