History USA -Part two- 1890 to 1920 Republican dominance
- Created by: H@r/3y
- Created on: 27-08-20 17:54
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- Early 1890s two party politic system was not yet fully formed and still evolving in response to economic growth and social change
- new forms of politics emerged
- victory in 1896 election led to long repub. dominance
- 1868-1932 Cleveland and Wilson = only two demos. to interrupt repub. chain from Grant to Hoover
- rise of populism brought fundamental change and divisions in demo. party
- progressivism reform movement influenced repub especially under Teddy Roosevelt
- 1912 progressivism = central issue and new national progressive party created
- progressivism divided repub
- wilson was influenced by progressive ideas leading to revival of demo party
- 1867-1912 12 new states added to union containing new voters, political priorities and required main political parties to adapt/change
- core of demo support was solid south- century after CW demo candidate won S every election except 1928
- this gave segregationist Southerners a strangehold on national party
- demo. relied on support of industrial N/E from business, blue collar workers and immigrants
- 1890s won lot of support in W states from farmers
- contradictory coalition of support was demo base until 1960s
- era of week presidents political balance was very even, close election battles of Cleveland and Harrison in 1884, 1888, 1892 - not much difference between them both supported policies of 'sound money' backed by gold standard
- 1890s proved to be turbulent= financial panic, economic depression violent strikes rise of Populism
- Demo became more radical, divided
- repubs were revitalised, pro business and swept to power 1896 turning point election
- populism first a political party at state level in 1890 - became a grass roots mass movement, strong S, W Plains and rock mountains support
- July 1892 Populists/Peoples party set manifesto at Omaha Platform, need to fight corruption in gov/legal system and save nation from 'moral, political and mateial ruin'- did well in elections and gained more support in 1894 mid terms
- Aim of populism- grievances and discontent into political campaign for radical reform; gov ownership of rail; settlers/farmers acquire land from corporation/foreigners; graduated income tax; currency not controlled by private bankers; free silver
- political impact of populism seemed sudden
- from 1870s protest movements emerged= Patrons of Husbandry (The Grange) and Farmers Alliances
- rural movements sometimes joined workers groups like knights of labour
- 1890s these groups coalesced to form people party
- impact of populism boosted by William Jennings Bryan
- Will J. Bryan = fundamental Christian, pacifist, anti imperialist, supported prohibition, free silver- won demo presidential nomination 1896 lost narrowly, also lost when ran 1900 q
- and 1908
- demo weakened by 1893 Panic and depression after- party more divided after poor showing in 1894 mid terms
- cleveland and pro business allies (Bourbon Democrats) stuck to traditional laissez faire & gold standard
- 1895 Cleveland got financial backing from Wall Street - J. pierpont morgan and allies lent $62 mill to gov to prop up gold reserve
- gave Clevelands opponents ammunition as he sided with money not little man
- Mary Lease in 1895= "this is no longer a gov of the people for the people and by the people…
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