Gilded Age Research Paper
The Gilded Age
P. 9 US 1 Honors
Mrs. Martin, P. 9, Honors US 1
6/2/2014
The Gilded Age
The President of the United States, responsible for the execution and enforcement of the laws created by Congress, Chief of the Armed Forces, and face of the nation, an unsurmountable amount of pressure, reliance and demand to be the best leader possible. It is no wonder why some men could not handle the task and fall short. The “Gilded Age," coined by Mark Twain as a time of great corruption, is the time period after the Reconstruction era of America after the Civil War, to the beginnings of the 1900s. It is a time littered with corruption, rapid economic growth and social conflict. Strife riddled poor immigrant workers hailing from …show more content…
Europe and Asia, times were not fair by any means. The rich got richer and the poor got poorer, it was a cyclical motion that couldn 't be stopped. The country seemed to be on an everlasting decline and classification became more prominent than ever. The men who ran the country, seemingly responsible are said to be a string of the worst presidents to ever be sworn into office. In regard to these men, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Chester A. Arthur, Benjamin Harrison and Grover Cleveland, and their domestic policy and actions, not all of them deserve the tittle as the most ineffective men to take the seat in the White House, some were restricted by the power of the nation an others, giving an unfair assumption of what they did take on and a misleading title to some of these men. First president to kick off the Gilded Age is Rutherford B. Hayes, a republican out of Delaware, Ohio. He is sworn in at one of the weakest times the nation has ever seen since 1776, problems like the death of late Abraham Lincoln, reconstruction coming to an end, Southern Economy in shambles, deep wounds from the war, and the everlasting effects of the failed Grant administration. Entering into an opposing parties controlled Government is the biggest problem Hayes will face. The Government is primarily Democratically ran, making Hayes’ Republican career a living hell. The house shut down most of Hayes’ ideas, plans and aspirations, however maintaing the power to veto. He had in mind tons of reforms, great ones at that, that could never get passed within this Democratic Government. This is a prime example of how a President could be a good and thoughtful leader, but heavily restricted by his congress, a complex dynamic to the office. Civil Service Reform was at the top of Hayes’ domestic agenda, he wanted to reform corruption among the system which had been Spoils based since Andrew Jackson’s term as president. The “Conkling affairs," in respects to Roscoe Conkling a New York Senator and head of the Stalwarts, a pro-spoils branch of the Republican party, was his greatest enemy. Although he could not abolish the use of the spoils system within congress, he made an executive decision to bar federal employees (postmen, port managers, etc…) from taking job in political issues (DeGregorio, William). Rutherford B. Hayes is said to have created the idea of taking tests credited on merit not connections, although never getting around to it, perhaps due to his ever going battle between Democratic congress a republican president, but still showing him as a forward thinker and man ahead of his time, when his time was corrupt. He showed and expressed fair treatment towards immigrants, especially the Chinese. Transcontinental Rail Road companies started to recruit Chinese laborers, because of small wage demands with high work hours. It became somewhat of an epidemic in the West where now 9% of California was now Chinese. After anti-Chinese sentiments are established in the Golden State, Congress recognizes this as a national issue. Congress decides to restrict but not end immigration, Hayes pocket vetoes this bill and the issue is pushed down, and ultimately passed down to the later Gilded Age presidents. In regard to the economy during the Hayes administration, it is rather neutral, and nothing big is signed into action. Hayes issues the Federal troops out to the Rail Road companies, the same ones whom were recruiting cheap Chinese laborers, after severe labor cuts for the workers which leads to violent riots and the realization of the growing monopolies that becomes such a problem for the next ten to twenty years. The Bland-Allison Act required the government to purchase 2-4 million dollars worth of silver monthly, decreasing value of money (Barclay, Barbara). This act was in favor by the indebted farmers and the poor, it finally helped the lower class by allowing them to pay back their debts and continue living not afraid of money. Passing nearly nothing during his administration, while being restricted by a Democratic controlled government, whom putting a huge damper on his plans and aspirations for the nation, makes him quite the weak and ineffective president.v President James A. Garfield, a man who 's presidential legacy was cut very short by a bullet, not living nearly long enough to get a lick of what he had planned, done. The only major domestic issue that Garfield will undergo during his term is the Civil Service Reform. A seasoned believer in the Spoils system, and how it had benefited the country and necessary for political party and campaign success, he surprises everyone, and goes against his religious belief in the connection system. He expresses this new found belief when he appointed non-“Conklingite” and enemy to the New York Senator, William H. Robertson to run the New York Customs House. It pleased the country to see a man with courage and pride to go against such a powerful man, such as Roscoe Conkling (whom much of the patronage in New York was stemming from him and fellow Stalwart members)(Benson, Sonia). President Garfield truly cared about people, he found it very hard to abstain from throwing out political office positions to undeserving office seekers. Garfield’s death was very untimely and quite unexpected, his shooter was, no better than, a frustrated Conkling seeking appointee. In a time of corruption and scandal, the words proceeded by the shot heard round world, are quite evident of that, or perhaps Charles J. Guiteau, was insane and truly had no ties with disgruntled Stalwarts. The shooter is quoted saying" 'I am a Stalwart of the Stalwarts! I did it and I want to be arrested! Arthur is President now!’” (Benson, Sonia) leaving speculation, but no investigation into Arthur, Garfield 's VP, as well as Conkling 's involvement in the assassination. Historians predict that if Garfield was to carry out his term and serve his 4 years, he would have pushed and reformed Civil Service, and restore the prestige to the title of president, that hasn 't been prevalent since Lincoln. It was not all bad that arose from Garfield’s short death, some good came out as well. A humongous push for Civil Service Reform was kick started after Garfield 's death, practically the platform for the Pendleton act, something that former president Hayes had construed but never gotten around too, to have competitive exams for official government positions and jobs. Garfield’s death will stand as blemish on the already dirty “Gilded Age” record forever. President James A. Garfield could not get what he had planned into effect, making it hard to judge him as an effective president or a passive, non-effective president in terms of a long time in office, but while he served in his brief four months, he is deemed ineffective.
Chester A. Arthur will arise as the strongest president to come out of the “Gilded Age”. Learning under Garfield’s wing as vice president, he was well experienced in government affairs while entering the presidency after the assassination of Garfield. Prior to his enter into administration, Arthur and his Republican party firmly believed in the spoils system. So when Chester A. Arthur entered his term as president and opposed the Spoils system, the nation was shocked, for the better. Arthur understood that the people didn 't necessarily believe and trust the connection system, and for public favor, he opposed the matter as well. Arthur believed in restoring and continuing Mr. Garfield’s legacy by carrying out many of his similar ideas, such as reforming the Civil Service system in the United States. He strongly backs The 1883 Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act. The Pendleton Act brought to life the beliefs of former presidents, Hayes and Garfield. The Act required men whom wanted to maintain a position as a government official take exams, based on merit, not connections, like the spoils system. As well as the Pendleton Act, Mr. Arthur creates the Civil Service Commission. Corrupt politicians and federal officials everywhere, lost their jobs. Arthur maintains a constant theme of really doing what he believes is best for the country, and not what will benefit him and his party, and just like defying his political beliefs during the Civil Service Reform, he will once again do the same concerning the economy. The Republican party had maintained a reputation to focus on protecting big business’ and manufacturing, because that is where most of the party money stemmed from, but not Arthur. Going against political philosophy he pushes for tariff relief on indebted farmers, since they were the fabric of the United States, aiming at the working class of the American people. Chinese immigration was yet again an issue, being passed down from the Hayes administration. Arthur being a fair humanitarian, vetoes the Chinese Exclusion Act, an Act that originally banned Chinese immigration for 20 years. Arthur saw this as a huge potential danger, and risking every tie that we had with the world power, China. After months of tireless plea and cry to reform the act, in fear of loosing ties with the superpower, his administration knocks the 20 year respite, to only 10 (Barclay, Barbara). Chester A. Arthur was a strong, independent man, and a proud one, he believed in himself to lead the nation, as well as sticking to his guns, in a time when that was rather hard to do. These characteristics will let him arise as the most powerful and effective president of the Gilded Age.
Benjamin Harrison, said to be one of the weakest presidents to step foot into the oval office. Nicknamed the “human-iceberg” for his highly asocial behavior by the Republican party, his nickname will serve him justice in his term during office. He drove the economy straight into the ground. First, Harrison will sing into effect, the infamous McKinley Tariff bill into law, which will attempt too protect american manufacturing, by raising tariff on imports, too nearly 50% (Hoogenboom, Ari). This bill signed by Benjamin Harrison, and written by Mr. McKinley, whom evidently will be an upcoming president within the next decade, drastically effects the economy. The McKinley Tariff will be one of the sole reasons why Grover Cleveland will get elected to his second, non-consecutive term. The Tariff was detrimental to american farmers. It drove up the prices of imported farm equipment and failed to cease fluctuating farm prices. As well as the McKinley Tariff, he strongly supported and pushed for the Sherman Silver Act, which enacted the US government to buy nearly all of the silver mined in the US, much like the Bland-Allison Act, under Hayes. The Act was passed in response to growing complaints of indebted farmers who needed a break, and mining interests. Farmers debt was rapidly increasing, and the Harrison administration needed to act. The farmers debt stemmed from overproduction of their product, leading to deflation. The Sherman Silver Purchase Act would cause inflation, allowing them to pay debts with cheaper dollars. Seemingly, a reasonable Act that made sense, the Purchase and the Tariff ultimately lead too the Panic of 93’. Despite the grueling economic situation, perhaps Harrison’s only great attribute was being a fervent abolitionist and humanitarian. He believed conserving the great forest reserves of the United States was a national must-do. Being the black rights promoter Harrison set out too be during his time in office, he singed 2 bills into affect designed to prevent southern states from denying African-Americans the right to vote, as well as appointing Frederick Douglass as the United States ambassador to Haiti. Then there was the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, a federal law passed in 1890 that made it be known that the country was not going to stand for monopolies to take over the competition.The law prohibits contracts, combinations, or conspiracies “in the restraint of trade or commerce.” (Hoogenboom, Ari.) A fine of $5,000 and imprisonment for one year were set as the maximum penalties for violating the act. The act itself was great, perfectly construed to take down non-competitive monopolies, however the enforcement of this issue was practically nonexistent, rendering the bill useless, and only further describing the weakness’ of the Harrison administration.
“The lesson should be constantly enforced that through the people should support the government, the government should not support the people.” —Grover Cleveland Grover Cleveland will arise as one of the worst presidents the Gilded Age sees.
He is acclaimed as selfish, simple and lead with no real sight into the future, a blunderbuss at best. A rich aristocrat with no real college education or understanding of political history, he could not seem to connect with the working class, or common people. Cleveland even appeared as an enemy to the middle class’ labor force, even more so when he issues federal troops to Washington to stop the unemployed marchers in “Coexy’s Army," as well as the Pullman Strike. Cleveland’s terms as president will encompass some of the nations most exuberant labor strikes. The Pullman Strike is one of the nations most violent labor disputes, when 30% labor cuts are enacted, massive riots and the use of the federal army come alive. The Pullman Strike wasn 't the only major strike, use of the federal army is again exercised in Chicago at the Haymarket Riots, and in 1886 General Strike when workers demanded 8 hour work days. As shown the economy and country were in shambles and suffering from extreme discord. Cleveland took no real action to fix these riots, only the use of the army to quiet them, something a weak leader would do. In Cleveland 's first term, the economy was already threatened with a great collapse. Cleveland called for a reduction in tariffs, arguing that high tariffs were contrary to the American idea of fairness. His opponents argued that high tariffs protected US businesses from foreign competition and Cleveland lost that election. It seems that the peak of problems during the Gilded Age all mounted up and broke free during the second term of the Cleveland Administration, the financial Panic of 1893. It was marked by the overbuilding and shaky financing of railroads something that the Sherman Antitrust Act would have prevented if actually enacted and enforced, resulting in a series of bank failures. By 93’ the economy was in a depression, 74 railroad companies, 600 banks and
15,000 business fail during the depression (“The Gilded Age:1878-"). The market had crashed by 35% and unemployment had risen to a shocking 20% (Benson, Sonia). A reoccurring pattern in the Gilded Age is the economical beat down of the generic farmer; crop prices fell even further. Cleveland and his administration were obviously blamed although it is said that the Sherman Silver Purchase Act and the McKinley Tariff Bill were major contributors to the economic downfall of 93’. Both of those acts are evidently singed by the previous Commander-in-Chief, Benjamin Harrison. Cleveland believes that an immediate repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase act must be in order at once, and that the faith and hope in the American dollar, restored. Once again Cleveland’s incapability to connect with others who weren 't rich aristocrats, seemed to strike a problem yet again. Cleveland won support of the Irish, German and other Eastern European voters. He was quite inconsistent in his behavior towards races. Although he spoke out against injustices and anti-Chinese sentiments popping up in the West, he agreed with the South 's reluctance to treat African Americans as equals socially or politically. He felt that Native Americans should be integrated into white society as quickly as possible. Finally, though he was careful not to alienate women by speaking out against women 's suffrage, he never supported women 's right to vote, making him adjourned from the subject. He tried distancing himself away from potentially big problems, in a time where America and the people, could not afford that, proving him to be the weakest finishing out the Gilded Age.
There are many factors going into and playing within the period called the Gilded Age, corruption, scandal, assassination, etc… however the truth was that all men whom swore too take office and lead our country, did their best in protecting their oath to defend, protect and lead the United States of America, some sought out different paths to go about it, some failed miserably. Some of the men who took the title of President during the ‘Gilded Age’ were short lived and couldn 't carry out what they had planned, or there are those whom were constricted by an opposing party congress and couldn 't get anything to pass. All men certainly affected the course America was steered into, perhaps poorly but nonetheless affecting America.They came and effected the legacy of the US in different ways, some good, some bad, leaving their own mark on United States history forever.
“I have tried so hard to do right”-Grover Cleveland
WORK CITED
“The Gilded Age: 1878-1889”. authentichistory.com. Authentic History Center, July 21st, 2012. Website. May 6th, 2014.
Howes, Kelly K. “Reconstruction Era”. Baker, Lawrence W U X L. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2005.
Barclay, Barbara. Our Presidents. United States: Browner Publishing Corporation, 1977. Print
Hoogenboom, Ari. “The Development of the Industrial United States, 1870 to 1899.” Encyclopedia of American History. Revised ed. 2010. Web. May 11th 2014.
Benson, Sonia, Daniel E. Bronner, Jr., and Rebecca Valentine. “Gilded Age.” UXL Encyclopedia of U.S. History. 2009. Gale Student Resources in Context. Web. May 11th, 2014.
DeGregorio, William A. The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents. Fort Lee: Barricade Books Inc., 2009. Print.
P. 9 US 1 Honors
Mrs. Martin, P. 9, Honors US 1
6/2/2014
The Gilded Age
The President of the United States, responsible for the execution and enforcement of the laws created by Congress, Chief of the Armed Forces, and face of the nation, an unsurmountable amount of pressure, reliance and demand to be the best leader possible. It is no wonder why some men could not handle the task and fall short. The “Gilded Age," coined by Mark Twain as a time of great corruption, is the time period after the Reconstruction era of America after the Civil War, to the beginnings of the 1900s. It is a time littered with corruption, rapid economic growth and social conflict. Strife riddled poor immigrant workers hailing from …show more content…
Europe and Asia, times were not fair by any means. The rich got richer and the poor got poorer, it was a cyclical motion that couldn 't be stopped. The country seemed to be on an everlasting decline and classification became more prominent than ever. The men who ran the country, seemingly responsible are said to be a string of the worst presidents to ever be sworn into office. In regard to these men, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Chester A. Arthur, Benjamin Harrison and Grover Cleveland, and their domestic policy and actions, not all of them deserve the tittle as the most ineffective men to take the seat in the White House, some were restricted by the power of the nation an others, giving an unfair assumption of what they did take on and a misleading title to some of these men. First president to kick off the Gilded Age is Rutherford B. Hayes, a republican out of Delaware, Ohio. He is sworn in at one of the weakest times the nation has ever seen since 1776, problems like the death of late Abraham Lincoln, reconstruction coming to an end, Southern Economy in shambles, deep wounds from the war, and the everlasting effects of the failed Grant administration. Entering into an opposing parties controlled Government is the biggest problem Hayes will face. The Government is primarily Democratically ran, making Hayes’ Republican career a living hell. The house shut down most of Hayes’ ideas, plans and aspirations, however maintaing the power to veto. He had in mind tons of reforms, great ones at that, that could never get passed within this Democratic Government. This is a prime example of how a President could be a good and thoughtful leader, but heavily restricted by his congress, a complex dynamic to the office. Civil Service Reform was at the top of Hayes’ domestic agenda, he wanted to reform corruption among the system which had been Spoils based since Andrew Jackson’s term as president. The “Conkling affairs," in respects to Roscoe Conkling a New York Senator and head of the Stalwarts, a pro-spoils branch of the Republican party, was his greatest enemy. Although he could not abolish the use of the spoils system within congress, he made an executive decision to bar federal employees (postmen, port managers, etc…) from taking job in political issues (DeGregorio, William). Rutherford B. Hayes is said to have created the idea of taking tests credited on merit not connections, although never getting around to it, perhaps due to his ever going battle between Democratic congress a republican president, but still showing him as a forward thinker and man ahead of his time, when his time was corrupt. He showed and expressed fair treatment towards immigrants, especially the Chinese. Transcontinental Rail Road companies started to recruit Chinese laborers, because of small wage demands with high work hours. It became somewhat of an epidemic in the West where now 9% of California was now Chinese. After anti-Chinese sentiments are established in the Golden State, Congress recognizes this as a national issue. Congress decides to restrict but not end immigration, Hayes pocket vetoes this bill and the issue is pushed down, and ultimately passed down to the later Gilded Age presidents. In regard to the economy during the Hayes administration, it is rather neutral, and nothing big is signed into action. Hayes issues the Federal troops out to the Rail Road companies, the same ones whom were recruiting cheap Chinese laborers, after severe labor cuts for the workers which leads to violent riots and the realization of the growing monopolies that becomes such a problem for the next ten to twenty years. The Bland-Allison Act required the government to purchase 2-4 million dollars worth of silver monthly, decreasing value of money (Barclay, Barbara). This act was in favor by the indebted farmers and the poor, it finally helped the lower class by allowing them to pay back their debts and continue living not afraid of money. Passing nearly nothing during his administration, while being restricted by a Democratic controlled government, whom putting a huge damper on his plans and aspirations for the nation, makes him quite the weak and ineffective president.v President James A. Garfield, a man who 's presidential legacy was cut very short by a bullet, not living nearly long enough to get a lick of what he had planned, done. The only major domestic issue that Garfield will undergo during his term is the Civil Service Reform. A seasoned believer in the Spoils system, and how it had benefited the country and necessary for political party and campaign success, he surprises everyone, and goes against his religious belief in the connection system. He expresses this new found belief when he appointed non-“Conklingite” and enemy to the New York Senator, William H. Robertson to run the New York Customs House. It pleased the country to see a man with courage and pride to go against such a powerful man, such as Roscoe Conkling (whom much of the patronage in New York was stemming from him and fellow Stalwart members)(Benson, Sonia). President Garfield truly cared about people, he found it very hard to abstain from throwing out political office positions to undeserving office seekers. Garfield’s death was very untimely and quite unexpected, his shooter was, no better than, a frustrated Conkling seeking appointee. In a time of corruption and scandal, the words proceeded by the shot heard round world, are quite evident of that, or perhaps Charles J. Guiteau, was insane and truly had no ties with disgruntled Stalwarts. The shooter is quoted saying" 'I am a Stalwart of the Stalwarts! I did it and I want to be arrested! Arthur is President now!’” (Benson, Sonia) leaving speculation, but no investigation into Arthur, Garfield 's VP, as well as Conkling 's involvement in the assassination. Historians predict that if Garfield was to carry out his term and serve his 4 years, he would have pushed and reformed Civil Service, and restore the prestige to the title of president, that hasn 't been prevalent since Lincoln. It was not all bad that arose from Garfield’s short death, some good came out as well. A humongous push for Civil Service Reform was kick started after Garfield 's death, practically the platform for the Pendleton act, something that former president Hayes had construed but never gotten around too, to have competitive exams for official government positions and jobs. Garfield’s death will stand as blemish on the already dirty “Gilded Age” record forever. President James A. Garfield could not get what he had planned into effect, making it hard to judge him as an effective president or a passive, non-effective president in terms of a long time in office, but while he served in his brief four months, he is deemed ineffective.
Chester A. Arthur will arise as the strongest president to come out of the “Gilded Age”. Learning under Garfield’s wing as vice president, he was well experienced in government affairs while entering the presidency after the assassination of Garfield. Prior to his enter into administration, Arthur and his Republican party firmly believed in the spoils system. So when Chester A. Arthur entered his term as president and opposed the Spoils system, the nation was shocked, for the better. Arthur understood that the people didn 't necessarily believe and trust the connection system, and for public favor, he opposed the matter as well. Arthur believed in restoring and continuing Mr. Garfield’s legacy by carrying out many of his similar ideas, such as reforming the Civil Service system in the United States. He strongly backs The 1883 Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act. The Pendleton Act brought to life the beliefs of former presidents, Hayes and Garfield. The Act required men whom wanted to maintain a position as a government official take exams, based on merit, not connections, like the spoils system. As well as the Pendleton Act, Mr. Arthur creates the Civil Service Commission. Corrupt politicians and federal officials everywhere, lost their jobs. Arthur maintains a constant theme of really doing what he believes is best for the country, and not what will benefit him and his party, and just like defying his political beliefs during the Civil Service Reform, he will once again do the same concerning the economy. The Republican party had maintained a reputation to focus on protecting big business’ and manufacturing, because that is where most of the party money stemmed from, but not Arthur. Going against political philosophy he pushes for tariff relief on indebted farmers, since they were the fabric of the United States, aiming at the working class of the American people. Chinese immigration was yet again an issue, being passed down from the Hayes administration. Arthur being a fair humanitarian, vetoes the Chinese Exclusion Act, an Act that originally banned Chinese immigration for 20 years. Arthur saw this as a huge potential danger, and risking every tie that we had with the world power, China. After months of tireless plea and cry to reform the act, in fear of loosing ties with the superpower, his administration knocks the 20 year respite, to only 10 (Barclay, Barbara). Chester A. Arthur was a strong, independent man, and a proud one, he believed in himself to lead the nation, as well as sticking to his guns, in a time when that was rather hard to do. These characteristics will let him arise as the most powerful and effective president of the Gilded Age.
Benjamin Harrison, said to be one of the weakest presidents to step foot into the oval office. Nicknamed the “human-iceberg” for his highly asocial behavior by the Republican party, his nickname will serve him justice in his term during office. He drove the economy straight into the ground. First, Harrison will sing into effect, the infamous McKinley Tariff bill into law, which will attempt too protect american manufacturing, by raising tariff on imports, too nearly 50% (Hoogenboom, Ari). This bill signed by Benjamin Harrison, and written by Mr. McKinley, whom evidently will be an upcoming president within the next decade, drastically effects the economy. The McKinley Tariff will be one of the sole reasons why Grover Cleveland will get elected to his second, non-consecutive term. The Tariff was detrimental to american farmers. It drove up the prices of imported farm equipment and failed to cease fluctuating farm prices. As well as the McKinley Tariff, he strongly supported and pushed for the Sherman Silver Act, which enacted the US government to buy nearly all of the silver mined in the US, much like the Bland-Allison Act, under Hayes. The Act was passed in response to growing complaints of indebted farmers who needed a break, and mining interests. Farmers debt was rapidly increasing, and the Harrison administration needed to act. The farmers debt stemmed from overproduction of their product, leading to deflation. The Sherman Silver Purchase Act would cause inflation, allowing them to pay debts with cheaper dollars. Seemingly, a reasonable Act that made sense, the Purchase and the Tariff ultimately lead too the Panic of 93’. Despite the grueling economic situation, perhaps Harrison’s only great attribute was being a fervent abolitionist and humanitarian. He believed conserving the great forest reserves of the United States was a national must-do. Being the black rights promoter Harrison set out too be during his time in office, he singed 2 bills into affect designed to prevent southern states from denying African-Americans the right to vote, as well as appointing Frederick Douglass as the United States ambassador to Haiti. Then there was the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, a federal law passed in 1890 that made it be known that the country was not going to stand for monopolies to take over the competition.The law prohibits contracts, combinations, or conspiracies “in the restraint of trade or commerce.” (Hoogenboom, Ari.) A fine of $5,000 and imprisonment for one year were set as the maximum penalties for violating the act. The act itself was great, perfectly construed to take down non-competitive monopolies, however the enforcement of this issue was practically nonexistent, rendering the bill useless, and only further describing the weakness’ of the Harrison administration.
“The lesson should be constantly enforced that through the people should support the government, the government should not support the people.” —Grover Cleveland Grover Cleveland will arise as one of the worst presidents the Gilded Age sees.
He is acclaimed as selfish, simple and lead with no real sight into the future, a blunderbuss at best. A rich aristocrat with no real college education or understanding of political history, he could not seem to connect with the working class, or common people. Cleveland even appeared as an enemy to the middle class’ labor force, even more so when he issues federal troops to Washington to stop the unemployed marchers in “Coexy’s Army," as well as the Pullman Strike. Cleveland’s terms as president will encompass some of the nations most exuberant labor strikes. The Pullman Strike is one of the nations most violent labor disputes, when 30% labor cuts are enacted, massive riots and the use of the federal army come alive. The Pullman Strike wasn 't the only major strike, use of the federal army is again exercised in Chicago at the Haymarket Riots, and in 1886 General Strike when workers demanded 8 hour work days. As shown the economy and country were in shambles and suffering from extreme discord. Cleveland took no real action to fix these riots, only the use of the army to quiet them, something a weak leader would do. In Cleveland 's first term, the economy was already threatened with a great collapse. Cleveland called for a reduction in tariffs, arguing that high tariffs were contrary to the American idea of fairness. His opponents argued that high tariffs protected US businesses from foreign competition and Cleveland lost that election. It seems that the peak of problems during the Gilded Age all mounted up and broke free during the second term of the Cleveland Administration, the financial Panic of 1893. It was marked by the overbuilding and shaky financing of railroads something that the Sherman Antitrust Act would have prevented if actually enacted and enforced, resulting in a series of bank failures. By 93’ the economy was in a depression, 74 railroad companies, 600 banks and
15,000 business fail during the depression (“The Gilded Age:1878-"). The market had crashed by 35% and unemployment had risen to a shocking 20% (Benson, Sonia). A reoccurring pattern in the Gilded Age is the economical beat down of the generic farmer; crop prices fell even further. Cleveland and his administration were obviously blamed although it is said that the Sherman Silver Purchase Act and the McKinley Tariff Bill were major contributors to the economic downfall of 93’. Both of those acts are evidently singed by the previous Commander-in-Chief, Benjamin Harrison. Cleveland believes that an immediate repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase act must be in order at once, and that the faith and hope in the American dollar, restored. Once again Cleveland’s incapability to connect with others who weren 't rich aristocrats, seemed to strike a problem yet again. Cleveland won support of the Irish, German and other Eastern European voters. He was quite inconsistent in his behavior towards races. Although he spoke out against injustices and anti-Chinese sentiments popping up in the West, he agreed with the South 's reluctance to treat African Americans as equals socially or politically. He felt that Native Americans should be integrated into white society as quickly as possible. Finally, though he was careful not to alienate women by speaking out against women 's suffrage, he never supported women 's right to vote, making him adjourned from the subject. He tried distancing himself away from potentially big problems, in a time where America and the people, could not afford that, proving him to be the weakest finishing out the Gilded Age.
There are many factors going into and playing within the period called the Gilded Age, corruption, scandal, assassination, etc… however the truth was that all men whom swore too take office and lead our country, did their best in protecting their oath to defend, protect and lead the United States of America, some sought out different paths to go about it, some failed miserably. Some of the men who took the title of President during the ‘Gilded Age’ were short lived and couldn 't carry out what they had planned, or there are those whom were constricted by an opposing party congress and couldn 't get anything to pass. All men certainly affected the course America was steered into, perhaps poorly but nonetheless affecting America.They came and effected the legacy of the US in different ways, some good, some bad, leaving their own mark on United States history forever.
“I have tried so hard to do right”-Grover Cleveland
WORK CITED
“The Gilded Age: 1878-1889”. authentichistory.com. Authentic History Center, July 21st, 2012. Website. May 6th, 2014.
Howes, Kelly K. “Reconstruction Era”. Baker, Lawrence W U X L. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2005.
Barclay, Barbara. Our Presidents. United States: Browner Publishing Corporation, 1977. Print
Hoogenboom, Ari. “The Development of the Industrial United States, 1870 to 1899.” Encyclopedia of American History. Revised ed. 2010. Web. May 11th 2014.
Benson, Sonia, Daniel E. Bronner, Jr., and Rebecca Valentine. “Gilded Age.” UXL Encyclopedia of U.S. History. 2009. Gale Student Resources in Context. Web. May 11th, 2014.
DeGregorio, William A. The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents. Fort Lee: Barricade Books Inc., 2009. Print.