Depression, Deflation, and Inflation

This section explores the economic challenges of the Gilded Age:

• Overexpansion of capitalism led to excessive loans and economic instability
• The Freedman's Savings and Trust Company bankruptcy hindered black economic development
• Debates over greenback currency and monetary policy intensified
• The Resumption Act of 1875 reduced the amount of greenbacks in circulation
• Demand for silver coinage grew as a means to promote inflation

Vocabulary: Greenbacks were paper currency issued by the United States during the Civil War era.

Highlight: The economic policies of this period, particularly the debate between inflation and deflation, had lasting impacts on American financial systems.

Pallid Politics in the Gilded Age

This section describes the political landscape of the era:

• High voter turnout and competitive elections between Republicans and Democrats
• Republicans associated with Puritan values, Democrats with Lutheran and Catholic values
• Geographic distribution of party support: Democrats strong in the South and northern cities, Republicans in the Midwest and rural Northeast
• Internal Republican factions: Stalwarts (supporting patronage) vs. Half-Breeds (opposing patronage)

Definition: Political machines apush significance refers to organizations that influenced politics through patronage and corruption, often controlling local governments.

Vocabulary: Patronage is the practice of a political party giving federal jobs to its supporters.

The Hayes-Tilden Standoff, 1876

The 1876 presidential election was highly contentious:

• Republicans nominated Rutherford B. Hayes, Democrats chose Samuel J. Tilden
• Four states submitted disputed electoral returns
• The Electoral Count Act established a 15-man commission to resolve the deadlock
• Democrats agreed to Hayes taking office in exchange for withdrawing troops from the South

Highlight: The 1876 election and its resolution through the Compromise of 1877 marked a turning point in post-Civil War American politics.

The Compromise of 1877 and the End of Reconstruction

This section details the consequences of the 1876 election compromise:

• Republicans abandoned their commitment to racial equality
• Federal efforts toward Reconstruction ended
• The Civil Rights Cases of 1883 limited the scope of the 14th Amendment

Definition: The Compromise of 1877 was an informal agreement that resolved the disputed 1876 presidential election and effectively ended Reconstruction.

The Birth of Jim Crow in the Post-Reconstruction South

This part explores the deteriorating conditions for African Americans after Reconstruction:

• Black and poor white farmers were forced into sharecropping and tenant farming
• Discrimination against blacks increased
• Jim Crow laws were enacted to enforce racial segregation
• Disenfranchisement of blacks through poll taxes and literacy tests
• Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) validated segregationist laws

Definition: Jim Crow laws apush definition refers to state and local laws that enforced racial segregation in the Southern United States.

Class Conflicts and Ethnic Clashes

This section discusses labor unrest and ethnic tensions:

• Railroad employee wage cuts in 1877 led to widespread strikes
• Federal troops were used to quell labor unrest
• Ethnic divisions weakened labor movement unity
• Chinese immigrants faced significant challenges

Highlight: The labor unrest and ethnic tensions of this period reflected the broader social and economic changes of the Gilded Age.

Garfield and Arthur

This section covers the presidencies of James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur:

• Garfield won the 1880 election but was assassinated shortly after taking office
• Arthur became president and implemented civil service reforms
• The Pendleton Act of 1883 established the Civil Service Commission and made compulsory campaign contributions from federal employees illegal
• Politicians turned to lobbyists for campaign funding as a result of these reforms

Definition: The Pendleton Act was a United States federal law that established the United States Civil Service Commission, which placed most federal employees on the merit system and marked the end of the so-called "spoils system."

The Blaine-Cleveland Mudslingers of 1884

This section details the contentious 1884 presidential election:

• James G. Blaine was the Republican nominee, Grover Cleveland the Democratic nominee
• Personal scandals and character attacks dominated the campaign
• A Republican supporter's "Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion" comment offended Irish voters
• Blaine's failure to address the comment led many Irish voters to support the Democrats

Quote: "Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion" was a phrase used to insult Democrats, particularly Irish Catholics, during the 1884 campaign.

Highlight: The 1884 election demonstrated the growing importance of ethnic voting blocs, particularly the Irish, in American politics.

The "Bloody Shirt" Elects Grant

The 1868 presidential election saw General Ulysses S. Grant, a popular Civil War hero, win the presidency as the Republican nominee. Key points include:

• Republicans campaigned on continuing Reconstruction in the South
• Democrats opposed Reconstruction but were divided internally
• Republicans used "waving the bloody shirt" tactics, reviving Civil War memories
• Newly enfranchised former slaves contributed significantly to Grant's victory

Vocabulary: "Waving the bloody shirt" refers to the political tactic of reviving Civil War memories to gain support.

Highlight: The votes of former slaves played a crucial role in Grant's election, demonstrating the impact of expanded suffrage following the Civil War.

The Era of Good Stealings

This section details various corruption scandals during Grant's presidency:

• The gold market manipulation attempt by "Jubilee Jim" Fisk and Jay Gould, leading to "Black Friday" in 1869
• The Tweed Ring scandal in New York City, where "Boss" Tweed defrauded taxpayers of $200 million
• Federal government scandals like the Crédit Mobilier affair and the Whiskey Ring

Example: The Tweed Ring scandal involved William "Boss" Tweed using unethical tactics to embezzle an estimated $200 million from New York City taxpayers.

Definition: Kickbacks apush definition refers to illegal payments made to someone in a position of power as a reward for favorable treatment.

The Liberal Republican Revolt of 1872

By 1872, dissatisfaction with Grant's administration led to political changes:

• Formation of the Liberal Republican party, calling to "Turn the Rascals Out"
• Nomination of Horace Greeley, who advocated for national unity and an end to Reconstruction
• Democrats endorsed Greeley
• Republican Congress passed a general amnesty act, signaling the beginning of the end of Reconstruction

Highlight: The Liberal Republican revolt of 1872 marked a significant shift in post-Civil War politics, challenging Grant's leadership and Reconstruction policies.