Interstate Commerce Act of 1887 – The act banned discrimination of the rates

of long and short hauls, required the railroads to file their rate schedules with
the government, and also required the rates to be “reasonable and just”. It
did not have much practical effect.

Sherman Anti-Trust Act – The Act was only passed to assuage the public and
was not enforced for the first few decades. It prohibited the combination of
companies and declared every contract combination or conspiracy in
restraint of trade illegal.

U.S. vs. E.C. Knight – After the E.C. Knight Company gained a monopoly of the
sugar-refining industry, the government sued it under the Sherman Anti-Trust
Act. The Supreme Court, in an 8-1 decision, went against the government
saying the Act did not apply to manufacturing and was not a part of interstate
commerce.

Munn vs. Illinois (1887) – The Courts upheld the Illinois law for fixing
maximum rates for grain storage because it was the right of the states to
regulate private property in public interest.

Granger Laws – The laws regulated grain elevator, rebates, railroad rates, and
etc. to help the farmers from the railroad industry.

“Cross of Gold” Speech – Delivered by William Jennings Bryan at the 1896

Democratic convention, it addressed the issue of whether or not allow the
unlimited purchase and coinage of silver, the ratio of silver to gold of 16 to 1.
The inflation from the change would make it easier for farmers and others to
pay off their debts by the increase of revenue dollars.

Plessy vs. Ferguson (1896) – Homer Plessy was 1/8 black and boarded a
railroad car designed only for whites. Under Louisiana Law, he was black and
had to sit in the colored car. He refused to leave and was arrested. He took
the case to the Supreme Court which upheld racial segregation in public
places if it was “separate but equal”. The vote was 7-1.
Ideas

Symbols for 2 parties –

1. Democratic Party – Donkey
2. Republican Party – Elephant

Characterization of social and economic changes in the US after the Civil War
–
Economy ruled by manufacturing, Immigration increases, middle class
increases, politics ruled by big industry, farmers and laborers suffered.

Causes of Industrial Revolution –

1. Abundance of raw materials
2. Expansion or railroads
3. Large labor supply due to immigration
4. Capital for investment
5. Governmental policies for business protection

Growth of Industry due resulted from –

1. Already well-established manufacturing economy
2. New forms of corporate organization
3. Abundance of raw materials
4. Large labor supply
5. Railroad transportation
6. Government protection of businesses
7. New technologies and inventions

Political Influence in The Gilded Age came from big businesses.

Consolidation of industries in the 19th century occurred from the wealthy.

Characteristics of the late 19th century –
a. Cities – Increased in size and amount of wealth, development of
slums, concentration of industrial and financial activities, cities
decided the social and cultural standards.
b. Hazards of cities – Grew too rapidly for housing, transportation,
sewers, social services, and government to keep up. Hostility
between different racial and ethnic groups.
c. Most important reason for moving into the cities – Jobs
d. American working conditions – Average income $400 to $500, not
much job security, long hours, unsafe and unhealthy.

Conflicts between labor and management – Laborers wanted higher wages,

shorter hours, and better working conditions from employers. Many joined
together to protect themselves from big businesses.

Reason government used to stop Pullman Strike – The strike prevented the
movement of mail on trains.

New wave of Immigration since the 1880s –

a. Came from Southern and Eastern Europe, Germany, Britain, Ireland,
Italy, Scandinavian countries, France, Holland, Poles, Russian Jews,
Austrians, Hungarians, and Serbians
b. Mostly settled in cities
c. Culturally diverse
d. Religiously diverse
e. Mostly worked in factories
f. Mostly Democratic

First Immigration law directed against Chinese Immigration

Immigrants prohibited from the U.S. because –

1. No longer a frontier
2. Took jobs from Americans and kept wages low
 3. Difficulty in assimilation
4. Racial discrimination

Politics in the Gilded Age were ruled by big businesses

In order to succeed, the Presidential nominees in the 1870s had to support

big businesses

Public participation in politics characterized by a large voter turnout and

party loyalty

Reform movements in the Gilded Age – The Grange; Civil Service Reform;
Farmers’ Alliances; Labor Unions

Relationship between party politics and economic realities of industries – The

Republican party was a great supporter of large industry. The Populist and
Democratic parties for the interests of farmers and laborers.

Populist Party of 1890s

a. Cause of emergence – Economic instability of farmers
b. Platform of 1896, goals – Coinage of silver; Government ownership
of railroads, telegraphs, and telephones; A graduated income tax;
Restrictions on immigration of foreigners into the U.S.; Abolition of
National Banks; An eight hour working day; Popular election of
senators; The Australian ballot; Use of the initiative, referendum,
and recall; Adoption of a tariff for revenue only.
c. Platform planks that became law – Coinage of silver; A graduated
income tax; Restrictions on immigration of foreigners into the U.S.;
Popular election of senators; The Australian ballot; Use of the
initiative, referendum, and recall
d. Success or failure? – Failure. Mostly fused with the Democratic
Party
Depression of 1893 characterized by – Panic of 1893 was due to the
overspending and speculation in railroad businesses and purchase of land;
stock market collapse; banks failed; weakened purchasing power of farmers.

Farmer’s problems during Gilded Age – Politics ruled by big industries;

needed money; many farmers in debt; high interest rates; Railroads charged
high rates for the transportation of goods; overexpansion and production of
farming

Election of 1896
a. Parties – Republicans, Democrats, and Populists
b. Candidates – William McKinley and William Jennings Bryan
c. Issues – Coinage of silver; tariffs; economic depression
d. Results – Fail of farmers’ protests, win of big business. Highest
protective tariff, McKinley Tariff, passed.

Know All Presidents of the Gilded Age –

1876 – Hayes; 1880 – Garfield; 1881 – Arthur; 1884 – Cleveland;
1888 – Harrison; 1892 – Cleveland; 1896 - McKinley