Look at the political system in the last quarter of the 19h century, What can on
ID: 3495093 • Letter: L
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Look at the political system in the last quarter of the 19h century, What can one say about the party system, Congress, and the Presidents from U.S. Grant to William McKinley? How successful was the political system in dealing with the nation's problems? How did Americans fit into the political system? Who comprised the nation's major and third parties? B. The United States pursued a policy of neutrality during the early years of World War I, lasted nearly three years. Why did it change it policy in 1917 by entering the w economic, cultural, political and intellectual-moral factors that contributed to the American decision. Did the United States enter the war because it had to, because of national security, or for some other reason? What were Wilson's reasons? Explain. which ar? Discuss the Essay Describe the Reconstruction policies of Lincoln, Johnson and Congress. What are some crucial elements of each of the programs? What were the presidents and Congress attempting to do? What were some of the goals of the Republican Party for Reconstruction? In your answer assess whether Reconstruction was a success or a failure, or some kind of combination of the two. Did the South lose the war, but win the peace? Explain. 1. America's rise to a leading industrial power caused problems throughout the nation. Particularly adversely affected were the agrarian regions of the country during the last third of the 19th century. In what regions was agricultural dissent strong? Why were farmers growing increasingly disillusioned? What were some of the ways that farmers responded to their plight? What was the final step of farmers trying to control the effects of industrialization (hint: Populist Party)? 2. Discuss the growth of industry in the United States during the latter part of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Provide some examples of industries and their leaders. What methods did this entrepreneurs (or "Robber Barons") use to accumulate great wealth? What effect did this rapid industrialization have on working people? How did the government respond to this accumulation of more and more resources and wealth into fewer and fewer hands? 3.Explanation / Answer
Answer for A:
In the 19th century, a number of new methods for conducting American election campaigns developed in the United States. For the most part the techniques were original, not copied from Europe or anywhere else. The campaigns were also changed by a general enlargement of the voting franchise — the states began removing or reducing property and tax qualifications for suffrage and by the early 19th century the great majority of free adult white males could vote (Rhode Island refused until a serious rebellion took place in 1844).
During the Reconstruction Era, Republicans in Congress used the military to create a biracial electorate, but when the troops were removed in 1877, blacks steadily lost political power in the increasingly one-party South. After 1890 blacks generally lost the vote in the South.
The system was characterized by two major parties who dominated government at the local, state and national level, and enlisted most voters into a loyal "army" of supporters. There were numerous small third parties that usually were short-lived or inconsequential. The complex system of electing federal, state and local officials meant that election campaigns were both frequent and consequential in terms of political power. Nearly all government jobs were distributed on a patronage basis to party workers.
The jobs were honorific and usually paid very well. The best way to get a patronage job was to work in the election campaign for the winning party, and volunteers were numerous. Elections provided Americans with much of their news. The elections of 1828-32, 1854–56, and 1894–96 are usually considered realigning elections.
Political parties in the 19th century thought of themselves as armies — as disciplined, hierarchical fighting organizations whose mission it was to defeat a clearly identified opponent.
If defeated themselves, they knew how to retreat, regroup, and fight again another day. If they won, then the victory was sweet. In an era when many if not most political leaders had experience as militia officers, and perhaps had engaged in actual combat, structuring parties along a militaristic chain of command seemed logical enough.
To fight a political battle, the party had to develop a chain-of-command. The heads of the state and national tickets were normally the acknowledged leaders. After the election leadership reverted to the state and county committees, or sometimes to state "bosses," with little power held by the national chairman.
County committees sent delegates to the state convention, where state nominees were selected. In turn the county committees were based on local conventions — mass meetings that were open to any self-identified partisan.
In the 1790s Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton created their supporting parties by working outward from the national capital, as did the Whigs in the 1830s. On the other hand, major third parties typically emerged from the state level, including the Anti-Masons, Republicans, Know-Nothings and Populists.
Theodore Roosevelt, before he became president in 1901, was deeply involved in New York City politics. He explains how the machine worked:
The organization of a party in our city is really much like that of an army. There is one great central boss, assisted by some trusted and able lieutenants; these communicate with the different district bosses, whom they alternately bully and assist.
The district boss in turn has a number of half- subordinates, half-allies, under him; these latter choose the captains of the election districts, etc., and come into contact with the common healers.
Democracy in practice
In the 1820s every government office was elected, or chosen by elected officials. After 1848 many states revised their constitutions so that judges were elected to fixed terms, and had to campaign before the voters like everyone else. Unlike other countries, many different offices were elected, with election days staggered so there was little respite from constant campaigning.
As the politicians discovered more potential blocs of voters, they worked to abolish the traditional property standards for suffrage. The principles of republicanism seemed to require that everyone be eligible, and indeed actually vote. Several states allowed immigrants to vote before they took out citizenship papers; elsewhere the parties facilitated the naturalization process.
By mid-century, practically every adult white male was a potential voter — or indeed, an actual voter, as turnout nationwide reached 81 percent in 1860. America stood in stark contrast with Europe, where the middle classes, peasants and industrial workers had to mobilize to demand suffrage.
Late in the century, Americans did create farmer and labor movements, but most were nonpartisan, and those that fielded candidates rarely lasted more than an election or two
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