Chapter 19 Study Guide
Middlemen
A trader who buys from producers and sells to retailers or consumers, An intermediary; a go-between.
Grangers
American agrarian movement taking its name from the National Grange of the Patrons of Husbandry, an organization founded in 1867 by Oliver H. Kelley and six associates. Its local units were called granges and its member's grangers. The movement grew slowly until after the Panic of 1873, when it expanded rapidly, reaching its membership peak in 1875.
Civil War Pension System
At the close of the Revolutionary War, the United States government began administering a limited pension system to soldiers wounded during active military service or veterans and their widows pleading dire Poverty. It was not until the 1830's and the advent of universal suffrage for white male and patronage democracy, however, that military pensions became available to all veterans or their widows. Despite these initial expansions, the early U.S. military pension system was minuscule compared to what it became as a result of the Civil War.
"Rum, Romanism, and rebellion"
Blaine did not notice Burchard's anti-Catholic slur, nor did the assembled newspaper reporters, but a Democratic operative did, and Cleveland's campaign managers made sure that it was widely publicized. The statement energized the Irish and Catholic vote in New York City heavily against Blaine, costing him New York state and the election by the narrowest of margins.
Election of 1890
Charles Crisp was Democratic (won), Thomas Reed was Republican, Omer M. Kem was populist.
"Crime of 73"
Coinage act of 1873, was enacted by the United States Congress in 1873; it embraced the gold standard, and demonetized silver. Western mining interests and others who wanted silver in circulation years later labeled this measure the "Crime of '73". Gold became the only metallic standard in the United States, hence putting the United States de facto on the gold standard.
"16 to 1"
Congress established a relationship between silver and gold at the ratio of 16 to 1 (meaning that 16 ounces of silver were to be equal in value to one ounce of gold).
"...you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold."
Cross of Gold speech was delivered by William Jennings Bryan, a former United States Representative from Nebraska, at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on July 9, 1896. In the address, Bryan supported bimetallism or "free silver", which he believed would bring the nation prosperity. He decried the gold standard, concluding the speech, "you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold".
Election of 1892
Election of 1892 - was the Former Democratic President Grover Cleveland and Republican President Benjamin Harrison both ran for re-election to a second term. Populist party runner was James B. Weaver.
"Money question"
The bitter controversy surrounding the issues of "free silver" and "sound money," so central to the 1896 campaign, has proved difficult for historians to explain. Partisans on both sides made exaggerated claims of the impact monetary policy could have on the nation's economic health. They implied that coinage of silver (on Bryan's side) or adherence to the gold standard (on the Republican side) was the single key to prosperity--and sometimes to the nation's honor.
Mint ratio / market ratio
The price of an ounce of gold divided by the price of an ounce of silver. The mint ratio aims to examine the relationship between gold and silver prices, A fixed rate of exchange for gold and silver.
Constituency
a body of voters in a specified area who elect a representative to a legislative body.
"Furnishing Merchants"
a landowner or neighborhood merchant, who would exchange food and supplies for a lien on next year's crop.
Stalwarts
a loyal, reliable, and hardworking supporter or participant in an organization or team.
Spoils and patronage
a spoils system (also known as a patronage system) is a practice where a political party, after winning an election, gives government jobs to its supporters, friends and relatives as a reward for working toward victory, and as an incentive to keep working for the party —as opposed to a merit system, where offices are awarded on the basis of some measure of merit, independent of political activity.
"Subtreasuries"
a subordinate or branch treasury.
Protective tariffs
a tariff levied on imports to protect the domestic economy rather than to raise revenue.
Electorate
all the people in a country or area who are entitled to vote in an election.
Gold Standard (Currency) Act 1900
and established gold as the only standard for redeeming paper money, stopping bimetallism (which had allowed silver in exchange for gold). It was signed by President William McKinley.
Bigotry
bigoted attitudes; intolerance toward those who hold different opinions from oneself.
Civil service
can refer to either: a) A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations, or b) the body of employees in any government agency other than the military.
Munn v. Illinois
case dealing with corporate rates and agriculture. The Munn case allowed states to regulate certain businesses within their borders, including railroads, and is commonly regarded as a milestone in the growth of federal government regulation.
"Commerce clause"
describes an enumerated power listed in the United States Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 3). The clause states that the United States Congress shall have power "To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes."
Interstate Commerce Act 1887
is a United States federal law that was designed to regulate the railroad industry, particularly its monopolistic practices. The Act required that railroad rates be "reasonable and just," but did not empower the government to fix specific rates. It also required that railroads publicize shipping rates and prohibited short haul or long haul fare discrimination
Factions
is a group of individuals, such as a political party, a trade union, or other group with a common political purpose. A faction or political party may include fragmented sub-factions, "parties within a party," which may be referred to as power blocs, or voting blocs. Members of factions band together as a way of achieving these goals and advancing their agenda and position within an organization.
Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890
is a landmark federal statute on United States competition law passed by Congress in 1890. It prohibits certain business activities that federal government regulators deem to be anticompetitive, and requires the federal government to investigate and pursue trusts, companies, and organizations suspected of being in violation.
"Front-porch campaign"
is a low-key electoral campaign used in American politics in which the candidate remains close to or at home to make speeches to supporters who come to visit. The candidate largely does not travel around or otherwise actively campaign.
Bimetallism
is a monetary standard in which the value of the monetary unit is defined as equivalent both to a certain quantity of gold and to a certain quantity of silver; such a system establishes a fixed rate of exchange between the two metals.
Inflation
is a persistent increase in the general price level of goods and services in an economy over a period of time. When the general price level rises, each unit of currency buys fewer goods and services. Consequently, inflation reflects a reduction in the purchasing power per unit of money - a loss of real value in the medium of exchange and unit of account within the economy.
Populism
is a political doctrine where one sides with "the people" against "the elites". Often used as pejoratives by political parties and politicians against their opponents who claim that they are merely only empathizing with the public, (usually through rhetoric or 'unrealistic' proposals) to increase their appeal across the political spectrum.
"Southern demagogue"
is a political leader in a democracy who appeals to the emotions, fears, prejudices, and ignorance of the less-educated citizens in order to gain power and promote political motives. Demagogues usually oppose deliberation and advocate immediate, violent action to address a national crisis; they accuse moderate and thoughtful opponents of weakness.
"Whistle stop campaign"
is a style of political campaigning where the politician makes a series of brief appearances or speeches at a number of small towns over a short period of time.
Cooperatives
is an autonomous association of persons who voluntarily cooperate for their mutual, social, economic, and cultural benefit. Cooperatives include non-profit community organizations and businesses that are owned and managed by the people who use its services.
Oliver H. Kelley
is considered the "Father" of the Order of Patrons of Husbandry
Specie
money in the form of coins rather than notes.
Repeal of Sherman Silver Purchase act 1893
note Message on the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act August 8, 1893 "The existence of an alarming and extraordinary business situation, involving the Sherman Silver Purchase Act August 8, 1893" The existence of an alarming and extraordinary business situation, involving the welfare and prosperity ...
Pendleton Act 1883
of United States is a federal law established in 1883 that stipulated that government jobs should be awarded on the basis of merit. The act provided selection of government employees by competitive exams, rather than ties to politicians or political affiliation. They also made it illegal to fire or demote government employees for political reasons and prohibit soliciting campaign donations on Federal government property.
Partisanship
prejudice in favor of a particular cause; bias.
"The Great Commoner"
see William Jennings Brian
James A. Garfield
served as the 20th President of the United States (1881), after completing nine consecutive terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Wilson-Gorman Tariff of 1894
slightly reduced the United States tariff rates from the numbers set in the 1890 McKinley tariff and imposed a 2% income tax.
Granger Movement
succeeded in regulating the railroads and grain warehouses. The birth of the Cooperative Extension Service, Rural Free Delivery, and the Farm Credit System were largely due to Grange lobbying.
Marginalize
to put or keep (someone) in a powerless or unimportant position within a society or group.
Garfield's Assassination
took place in Washington, D.C. on July 2, 1881, at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station. Charles J. Guiteau shot Garfield at 9:30 am, less than four months into Garfield's term as the 20th President of the United States. Garfield died eleven weeks later on September 19, 1881, the second of four Presidents to be assassinated.
"Free silver"
was a Central United States policy issue in the late 19th century. Its advocates were in favor of an inflationary monetary policy using the "free coinage of silver" as opposed to the less inflationary gold standard; its supporters were called "Silverites". The Silverites promoted bimetallism, the use of both silver and gold as currency at the ratio of 16 to 1
"Free silver"
was a Central United States policy issue in the late 19th century. Its advocates were in favor of an inflationary monetary policy using the "free coinage of silver" as opposed to the less inflationary gold standard; its supporters were called "Silverites". The Silverites promoted bimetallism, the use of both silver and gold as currency at the ratio of 16 to 1 (16 ounces of silver would be worth 1 ounce of gold).
Carl Schurz
was a German revolutionary, American statesman and reformer, U.S. Minister to Spain, Union Army General in the American Civil War, U. S. Senator, and Secretary of the Interior. He was also an accomplished journalist, newspaper editor and orator, who in 1869 became the first German-born American elected to the United States Senate.
Wabash Case 1886
was a Supreme Court decision that severely limited the rights of states to control interstate commerce. It led to the creation of the Interstate Commerce Commission.
Ignatius Donnelly
was a U.S. Congressman, populist writer and amateur scientist, known primarily now for his theories concerning Atlantis, Catastrophism
United States vs. E. C. Knight Co. of 1895
was a United States Supreme Court case that limited the government's power to control monopolies. The case, which was the first heard by the Supreme Court concerning the Sherman Antitrust Act, was argued on October 24, 1894 and the decision was issued on January 21, 1895.
James B. Weaver
was a United States politician and member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Iowa as a member of the Greenback Party.
Panic of 1873
was a financial crisis that triggered a depression in Europe and the United States that lasted from 1873 until 1879, and even longer in some countries.
Specie of 1875
was a law in the United States which restored the nation to the gold standard through the redemption of previously unbacked United States Notes and reversed inflationary government policies promoted directly after the American Civil War.
William Jennings Brian
was a leading American politician from the 1890s until his death. He was a dominant force in the populist wing of the Democratic Party, standing three times as the Party's candidate for President of the United States.
Ocala Demands 1890
was a platform for economic and political reform that was later adopted by the People's Party. Wanted abolition of national banks; the establishment of sub-treasuries or depositories in every state, which would make low interest direct loans to farmers and property owners; the increase of money in circulation to not less than $50 per capita; the abolishment of futures of all agricultural and mechanical productions; the introduction of free silver.
Coin's Financial School 1894
was a popular pamphlet written in 1894 that helped popularize the free silver and populist movements. The author of the text "Coin", William Hope Harvey, would later go on to aid William Jennings Bryan in his bid for the presidency and would run for the presidency himself in the 1930s. The book was remarkably popular in its day, selling an estimated 1 million copies.
Coxey's Army 1894
was a protest march by unemployed workers from the United States, led by Ohio businessman Jacob Coxey. They marched on Washington D.C. in 1894, the second year of a four-year economic depression that was the worst in United States history to that time.
Interstate Commerce commission
was a regulatory agency in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads to ensure fair rates, to eliminate rate discrimination, and to regulate other aspects of common carriers, including interstate bus lines and telephone companies.
Panic of 1892
was a serious economic depression in the United States that began in 1893. Similar to the Panic of 1873, it was marked by the collapse of railroad overbuilding and shaky railroad financing, resulting in a series of bank failures.
Panic of 1893
was a serious economic depression in the United States that began in 1893. Similar to the Panic of 1873, it was marked by the collapse of railroad overbuilding and shaky railroad financing, resulting in a series of bank failures.
Populist Party 1892
was a short-lived political party in the United States established in 1891 during the Populist movement.
"Bourbons"
was a term used in the United States from 1876 to 1904 to refer to a conservative or classical liberal member of the Democratic Party.
James G. Blaine
was an American Republican politician who served as United States Representative, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, U.S. Senator from Maine, and twice as Secretary of State. Said "rum, Romanism, and rebellion" before introducing candidate.
Leonidas L. Polk
was an American farmer, journalist and political figure. He was born in Anson County, North Carolina. L.L. Polk fought in the American Civil War for the Confederate States of America, and was wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Mary E. Lease
was an American lecturer, writer, and political activist. She was an advocate of the suffrage movement as well as temperance but she was best known for her work with the Populist party. In 1895, she wrote The Problem of Civilization Solved, and in 1896, she moved to New York City where she edited the democratic newspaper,
Thomas E. Watson
was an American politician, attorney, newspaper editor, and writer from Georgia. In the 1890s Watson championed poor farmers as a leader of the Populist Party, articulating an agrarian political viewpoint while attacking business, bankers, railroads, Democratic President Grover Cleveland, and the Democratic Party.
Jacob S. Coxey
was an American politician, who ran for elective office several times in Ohio. Twice, in 1894 and 1914, he led "Coxey's Army", a group of unemployed men who marched to Washington, D.C. to present a "Petition in Boots" demanding that the United States Congress allocate funds to create jobs for the unemployed.
William H. Harvey
was an Irish botanist who specialized in algae.
McKinley Tariff 1890
was an act of the United States Congress framed by Representative William McKinley that became law on October 1, 1890. The tariff raised the average duty on imports to almost fifty percent, an act designed to protect domestic industries from foreign competition.
Farmers' Alliances and "Colored Alliances"
was an organized agrarian economic movement among American farmers that developed and flourished in the 1870s and 1880s. One goal was to end the adverse effects of the crop-lien system on farmers in the period following the American Civil War. Colored Alliances was formed in 1886 in the American state of Texas. Despite the fact that both black and white farmers faced great difficulties due to the rising price of farming and the decreasing profits which were coming from farming the protective organization known as the Southern Farmers' Alliance did not allow black farmers to join.
Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890
was enacted on July 14, 1890 as a United States federal law. The Sherman Silver Purchase Act did not authorize the free and unlimited coinage of silver that the Free Silver supporters wanted. However, it increased the amount of silver the government was required to purchase on a recurrent monthly basis to 4.5 million ounces.
Dependent Pension Act of 1890
was passed by the United States Congress and signed into law by President Benjamin Harrison on June 27, 1890. The act provided pensions for all veterans who had served at least ninety days in the Union military or naval forces, were honorably discharged from service and were unable to perform manual labor, regardless of their financial situation or when the disability was suffered.
Rutherford B. Hayes
was the 19th President of the United States (1877-1881). As president, he oversaw the end of Reconstruction, began the efforts that led to civil service reform, and attempted to reconcile the divisions left over from the Civil War and Reconstruction.
Chester A. Arthur
was the 21st President of the United States (1881-85); he succeeded James Garfield upon the latter's assassination. At the outset, Arthur struggled to overcome his reputation, stemming from his beginnings in politics as a politician from the New York City Republican political machine. He succeeded in overcoming his reputation by embracing the cause of civil service reform. His advocacy for, and subsequent enforcement of, the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act was the centerpiece of his administration.
Grover Cleveland
was the 22nd and 24th President of the United States; as such, he is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms (1885-1889 and 1893-1897) and to be counted twice in the numbering of the presidents. He was the winner of the popular vote for president three times—in 1884, 1888, and 1892—and was the only Democrat elected to the presidency in the era of Republican political domination dating from 1861 to 1913.
Benjamin Harrison
was the 23rd President of the United States (1889-1893). Harrison, a grandson of President William Henry Harrison, was born in North Bend, Ohio, and moved to Indianapolis, Indiana, at age 21, eventually becoming a prominent politician there. During the American Civil War, he served the Union. After the war, he unsuccessfully ran for the governorship of Indiana and was later elected to the U.S. Senate by the Indiana legislature.
Election of 1880
was the 24th quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 2, 1880. It was largely seen as a referendum on the end of Reconstruction in Southern states carried out by the Republicans. There were no other pressing issues of the day except for tariff policy, with the Republicans supporting higher tariffs and the Democrats supporting lower ones. James G. Garfield vs. Winfield S. Hancock
William McKinley
was the 25th President of the United States, serving from March 4, 1897, until his assassination in September 1901, six months into his second term. McKinley led the nation to victory in the Spanish-American War, raised protective tariffs to promote American industry, and maintained the nation on the gold standard in a rejection of inflationary proposals.
Election of 1884
was the 25th quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 4, 1884. New York Governor Grover Cleveland narrowly defeated Republican James G. Blaine.
Election of 1888
was the 26th quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 6, 1888. Grover Cleveland of New York, the incumbent president and a Democrat, try to secure a second term against the Republican nominee Benjamin Harrison.
Election of 1896
was the 28th quadrennial presidential election, held on Tuesday, November 3, 1896. William McKinley was republican, William J. Brian was democrat. William McKinley won.
Election of 1892
was the Former Democratic President Grover Cleveland and Republican President Benjamin Harrison both ran for re-election to a second term. Populist party runner was James B. Weaver.
Omaha Platform of 1892
was the party program adopted at the formative convention of the Populist (or People's) Party held in Omaha, Nebraska on July 4, 1892.
Mugwumps
were Republican political activists who bolted from the United States Republican Party by supporting Democratic candidate Grover Cleveland in the United States presidential election of 1884. They switched parties because they rejected the financial corruption associated with Republican candidate James G. Blaine.
Half-Breeds
were a political faction of the United States Republican Party in the late 19th century. The Half-Breeds were a moderate-wing group, and were the opponents of the Stalwarts, the other main faction of the Republican Party. The main issue that divided the Stalwarts and the Half-Breeds was political patronage.
Granger Laws 1870
were a series of laws passed in several Midwestern states of the United States, namely Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois, in the late 1860s and early 1870s. The Granger Laws were promoted primarily by a group of farmers known as the Grange. The main goal of the Grange was to regulate rising fare prices of railroad and grain elevator companies after the American Civil War.