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The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today
Mark Twain and Charles Dudley Warner wrote a satirical book in order to shed light on the political corruption which had become the norm of the time period. While entertaining, much was founded in an element of truth. This would unfortunately characterize many of the presidents and political leaders during this time period. He wrote this while living in Hartford, Connecticut. -
The Great Compromise of 1877
The election of 1876 was between two candidates, Rutherford B. Hayes, and Samuel J. Tilden. The election was close, and the results were contested by the Democrats. Due to the high tensions, and even a possibility of another Civil War, the Republicans made a deal that if the Democrats would allow Hayes to be president, they would pull federal troops out of some Southern states, and let them govern themselves regarding reconstruction and post slavery laws. This happened in Washington, D.C. -
Assasination of President Garfield
President Garfield is shot by a supporter, Charles Guiteau who felt jilted about having not received a position in the government in return for his support. This allowed for Chester Arthur to assume the presidency, and since he was in a position of being president, but not indebted to anyone, he was able to start introducing policies that would limit the Patronage system in the government. Guiteau shot the President in the Baltimore and Potomac Rail station -
Creation of the Interstate Commerce Commission
This action by President Cleveland showed the continued growth and departure from the corruption the system was displaying. This Commission helped to ensure that railroad customers, both large and small were charged fairly for use of the railroads. Previously, large corporations received discounts, while smaller customers, especially farmers, were charged heavily for use of the railroad to ship product. This happened in Washington, D.C. -
Turner's Frontier Thesis
Frederick Jackson Turner puts forth the idea that the challenge of the American Frontier made America what it was. Now that the frontier was mostly explored and settled, America would start to lose its identity unless a new frontier was discovered. This erroneous theory influenced Presidents to look beyond the borders of the U.S. for a new "frontier". Turner presented this idea in Chicago, Illinois. -
The Spanish-American War
President McKinley was holding out against a growing public desire to have the U.S. help liberate Cuba. He was doing what he could to avoid war, and step into the dealings of other countries. The destruction of the Maine near Havana, Cuba and the readiness of a U. S. public to lay blame, even without evidence, forced McKinley into action. He declared war on Spain, but made it clear that we were not taking over Cuba. However, the U. S. did retain control of the Philippines, Guam and Puerto Rico. -
The "Big Stick" Policy
Washington D.C.- The election of President Roosevelt brought a more forward foreign policy to the U.S. Roosevelt viewed the Western Hemisphere as a group that needed to be babysat by the U.S. He also felt that because the U.S. had already established its naval might, we need only bring up the possibility of force, and the other nations would acquiesce to the demands. This policy allowed for the completion of the Panama Canal, and bringing Central and South America into submission to the U.S. -
Dollar Diplomacy
Washington, D.C.- President Taft had similar thoughts to the Big Stick Policy. However, rather than threats of force, he used money. He would offer to pay off debts of western hemisphere countries in order to indebt them to the U.S. If they refused, then force came into play. These countries did not want the interference, but had no choice. As Taft tried these same tactics to the east, he was met with resistance from the larger countries, which showed the weakness of this approach to politics. -
A New Foreign Policy
Washington, D.C.- President Woodrow Wilson had a different idea about foreign policy. He wanted to let other nations be. He wanted to avoid U.S. expansion, and stay out of their military engagements. This is a noble sentiment, however, President Wilson came to find out that desiring peace does not always lead to peace. -
The Sinking of the Lusitania
Europe was embroiled in continent wide war. President Wilson refused to get involved. However, the war was practically brought to our borders. The RMS Lusitania, sailing from New York to Liverpool, was sunk by a German undersea boat. It was a British ship, but had 128 American civilians on it. He stuck to his decision to stay out of the war, mostly in an attempt to help his chances for re-election, but also to try to stay out of the European War. -
Positioning for Reelection
Washington, D.C.- President Wilson had to show the public that he was committed to staying out of the War, but at the same time that he was not ignoring it. He passed the National Defense Act of 1916, which grew the size of the Army, and also the Naval Defense Act of 1916, which increased the size of the Navy. This was the right step, and he was reelected. -
Drawn into the Great War
Washington, D.C.- While Wilson tried to stay out of war, war waged on around. Finally the Germans brought the war close to the America's doorstep by inviting Mexico to declare war with Germany's support, and in return, receive land they previously held. This was too much for Wilson to ignore, and war was declared. -
Wilson's Fourteen Points
President Wilson, although drawn into this World War, was already making plans to avoid future wars. He was hoping this plan would be accepted by all nations. This plan was intended to end secrecy in international dealings, and have a more open diplomatic stage. He also hoped to have a League of Nations, in which nations would discuss things rather than go to war to settle differences. Many nations accepted a modified version of Wilson's Fourteen Points at the Treaty of Versailles in Paris.
