Tattered Remains: Emergence of the Ku Klux Klan
During the Grant administration interest in Reconstruction fades as the North becomes preoccupied with its own problems. Before Grant leaves office in 1876 Democrats redeem seven of he eleven former Confederate states. It is a setting in which terro...
Political Stalemate: Political Stalemate
For several decades after Congress ceases to battle over Reconstruction there is political equilibrium between Democrats and Republicans. The outcome of presidential elections generally pivots on who can win four states: New York, New Jersey, Connec...
Political Stalemate: Pendleton Act, The
The federal government's bureaucracy is growing larger and the old method of selecting people for public office has not grown with it. The Pendleton Act, passed early in 1883 attempts to remedy the situation, but it only applies to 10 to 15% of the ...
Political Stalemate: 1896, a Realigning Election
Republicans blame the Democrats for the Depression as they approach the election of 1896 with William McKinley as their presidential candidate. The Democrats, split by the Populist movement, nominate William Jennings Bryan as their standard bearer a...
Political Stalemate: Activist vs. Passive Government
The campaign of 1888 between Grover Cleveland and Benjamin Harrison plays up the economic differences between the parties. It is also one of the closest elections in American history with Harrison winning an electoral majority but losing the popular...
Political Stalemate: 1890s Depression Fuels Agrarian Revolt and Birth of Populist Party
Just months after Grover Cleveland takes office for a second time the economy comes to a screeching halt with a depression that lasts from the mid to late 1890s. Millions of people are out of work; thousands of businesses fail. The plight of farmers...
Political Stalemate: Mudslinging Election of 1884, The
In the presidential election of 1884 Senator James G. Blaine, once the head of the Half-Breeds, challenges and defeats incumbent president Chester A. Arthur for the Republican nomination. The Democrats nominate New York governor Grover Cleveland. Ch...
Political Stalemate: Fundamental Differences Between Republicans and Democrats Emerge
Fundamental differences between the Republicans and Democrats begin to surface during the late 19th century, particularly in relation to the economy and the role government should play in regulating it. The Republicans favor the protective tariff an...
Tattered Remains: Election of 1876, The
Grant plans to run for another term in 1876 but Republican leaders, shaken by Democratic gains, resist. On election day two names head the ballot: Rutherford B. Hayes, Republican, and Samuel Tilden, Democrat. Hayes wins the majority of the Northern ...
What Price Freedom: Republicans Legislate Harsher Approach to Reconstruction
Republicans in Congress legislate a more radical version of reconstruction through a series of Reconstruction Acts they pass over Johnson's veto. It is clear that they don't want treasons Southerners in Congress within months of the war's end. They ...