This paper is concerned with the post-Civil War American society up to the end of the nineteenth century. The focus is on the political and economic aspects, while only limited attention is paid to the issues related to race, social factors, and culture. The weakness of the federal government is regarded as the major reason behind the hardships of the nation during the post-war decades. The fierce struggle between Republicans and Democrats is illustrated in detail, and the rise and the fall of the Populist Party are also highlighted. The period finishes with the victory of Republicans in the last presidential elections of the century.
One of the most important items covered in this period is the role the weak federal government played in the history of the United States during the 1870s-1890s. Politicians concentrated on their political prospects and the financial interests of the individuals and groups who could help in their rise to power. Both Republican and Democratic presidents failed to implement effective reforms but made the patronage system the cornerstone of their political agenda. Instead of hiring effective managers and those who could make reforms possible, presidents assigned their relatives, close allies, and those who provided financial aid (including bribes) to the major (or any) posts in the government.
This system made things worse for the country that needed quick and dramatic changes. Instead, the government introduced policies that favored big businesses and landowners while depriving the rest of the Americans of any opportunities to grow financially. Tariffs increased, and prices soared (whereas farming product prices were falling each year), which was the result of the empowerment of the groups mentioned above. Moreover, the politicians who tried to address the issues (for example, enacting the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890 or the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890) failed to enforce them.
The second important item found in this period that is worth consideration is the life of farmers and the influence they had on the development of the country at that period. American farmers found themselves in a very difficult situation after the Civil War. The development of technology boosted the growth of the farming sector as people received new and more efficient tools. Due to the availability of new territories and novel production instruments, farmers obtained larger crops. Ironically, increased crops resulted in lower prices for farmers’ products, while the costs were still high as technological advances were expensive. Farmers had limited access to funds, and loans they got were provided at high rates. Railroad (and other) tariffs were also extremely high and rising rapidly. Farmers tried to influence politicians’ decisions and offered different initiatives that could help them improve their financial situation. One of the central concerns of farmers was the government’s focus on the gold standard, while Americans believed that the bimetal system would be more beneficial. However, their voices remained unheard until they managed to create their own party.
The rise and fall of the Populist Party is the third item to analyze as it is one of the influential phenomena that had an effect on the further development of the country. As mentioned above, farmers tried to gain more political power in order to improve their economic situation. Early attempts to unite and organize a potent force started in the middle of the nineteenth century. However, those efforts had limited and temporal success, while farmers’ conditions were worsening each year.
Several alliances were formed, but their political weight was still insignificant and unable to force the federal government to address their needs. In the 1880s, the Farmers’ Alliance was formed, and it turned into an influential organization that collaborated with other alliances (including the Colored Alliance) to gain more power. It also became the basis of the Populist Party which was established in 1891. The Populist Party gained popularity as it responded to the call of a considerable portion of the American population. The party even managed to earn approximately one million votes during the 1892 elections, which party members saw as substantial success. However, the following elections were the end of the party as they failed to nominate Bryan as their candidate, who was announced as the Democrat Party’s candidate. Eventually, the members of the Populist Party became Democrats as Populists decided to support Bryan anyway. Since the goals and methods of the two parties were very similar, the Populist Party simply blended with the Democratic Party.
The development of railroads was one of the factors that boosted the growth of the American economy in the nineteenth century. However, it soon transformed into a significant hazard that resulted in a major economic crisis. Railroad owners raise tariffs, but they failed to estimate the adverse outcomes of their actions (or rather greed). Although the government tried to enact some legislation to control tariffs, those acts were not properly enforced, and monopolies still took advantage of their position and increased their profits. At the same time, high tariffs contributed substantially to the numerous farmers’ bankruptcies. An increasing number of people fled to cities, which made workers’ situation worse and the unemployment rate high.
One of the notorious events of that period that were a result of railroad owners’ irresponsible management was the Pullman Strike of 1894. Workers at many industrial facilities and railroads refused to work due to low wages and unbearable working conditions. The uprisings were also inspired by the so-called Coxey’s Army march. Instead of trying to compromise, monopolies responded by dismissal of even more people.
The Coxey’s Army was one of the consequences of the overall economic situation in the country. This march took place in 1894 and did not last long but had quite lasting and far-reaching effects. As mentioned above, the unemployment rate grew and reached unprecedented heights. For instance, in the early 1890s, unemployment estimates were as high as 19%, but they skyrocketed in some states approaching 43% (in Michigan). Jacob Coxey, a businessman, headed the march of Ohio’s unemployed workers to Washington. Hundreds of people joined the march along the way to address the government directly. However, the marchers were not heard, while Coxey and some other marchers were sentenced to prison terms for trespassing the premises of the Capitol. Although the campaign did not achieve its goals, the march had a considerable effect on Americans’ political preferences. As a result, the popularity of the Populist Party increased considerably. The march also inspired many workers to protest and join riots or strikes.
The weak federal government that could not balance the influence and needs of big business and the needs of the rest of the U. S. population could be seen as one of the factors that contributed to the economic crises. Farmers whose earnings declined and expenditure grew, high unemployment rate, and unwise monetary policy were other influential factors. At that, one of the triggers of the crisis was an excessive investment in railroads. The development of infrastructure was still seen as a highly profitable business, but people failed to see the soaring problems in the sector. High tariffs, disproportionate investment, and a worsening economic situation in the country made the sector a bulb that soon caused bankruptcies and the major economic crisis after the Civil War. Eventually, the economic situation in the country led to the emergence of a strong federal government.
The major political and economic challenges the country faced at the end of the nineteenth century are discussed in detail. Americans witnessed the outcomes of the weak and corrupted government, as well as ineffective monetary policies. Although it was a period of significant economic issues, unprecedented unemployment rate, and issues in farming and industries, the Populist Era had a tremendous impact on the further development of the nation. Appropriate legislation enacted and enforced by the federal government, as well as certain internal and external factors, helped the country overcome the crisis.