The presidency of McKinley and Roosevelt progressive aims. Flashcards

1
Q

When was Republican conservatism riding high?

A

At McKinley’s inauguration in March 1897. The Republicans held the presidency and had large majorities in both the House and the Senate.

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2
Q

What was significant about this Republican presidency?

A

For the first time ever, they had won the presidency without needing the black vote in the south.

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3
Q

Describe the situation with the Democrats.

A

They were still weakened by internal divisions; Populism was a fading force.

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4
Q

Describe the situation with the economy.

A

The economy was entering a period of exceptional growth. McKinley filled his administration with wealthy men and set out business-friendly policies, doing nothing to prevent the consolidation of business into ever-large corporations.

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5
Q

How did McKinley please his conservative backers?

A

By maintaining the protective tariff. The Dingley Tariff Act of 1897 pushed tariff rates to even higher levels.

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6
Q

What was McKinley a strong believer in?

A

The gold standard. This policy was strengthened by the Alaska-Yukon Gold Rush of 1897-99, which increased the amount of gold in circulation.

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7
Q

What did McKinley introduce in 1900?

A

The Currency Act, committing the US to maintain the gold standard.

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8
Q

What were the potential problems caused by these policies lessened by?

A

The general prosperity of the time, including rising farm prices.

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9
Q

What was McKinley’s political position strengthened by?

A

The Spanish-American War. McKinley himself was not too keen on expansionism but a lot of Republicans were. McKinley was happy to bask in the glow of military and naval successes in Cuba and the Pacific.

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10
Q

Who did McKinley adopt as vice president for his re-election?

A

A hero of the war, Theodore Roosevelt. They were not a harmonious team - significant differences in age personality and political beliefs.

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11
Q

Despite the differences between McKinley and Roosevelt, what were the positives?

A

They were a strong electoral team, and they cruised to a comfortable victory over WJ Bryan.

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12
Q

When did McKinley die?

A

14th september, 8 days after the shooting.

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13
Q

Why were some supporters of McKinley hostile to Roosevelt?

A

He was younger, more radical, and more ready to take an interventionist approach than those in McKinley’s political circle.

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14
Q

What did Mark Hanna plan to do when Roosevelt became president?

A

He planned to challenge Roosevelt for the Republican nomination in 1904 but he died before the campaign could begin.

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15
Q

Why was some of this hostility towards Roosevelt personal?

A

He was a bombastic personality; prone to self-advertisement; he would never be as easy for party leaders to handle as McKinley had been. Also intensely political due to his sympathy with Progressivism.

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16
Q

Describe the influence of Progressivism.

A

It was the most important influence on American society and politics between 1900 and 1917.

17
Q

What was Progressivism a reaction against and who was it put forward by?

A

It was an angry, idealistic reaction against the perceived evils of monopoly capitalism, put forward by muckraking journalists, and reform-minded politicians, from both sides of the political divide.

18
Q

How did Progressivism differ to Populism?

A

Where Populism was rural and regional, Progressivism was urban, middle-class and national.

19
Q

Progressive aims: corruption?

A

To attack political corruption.

20
Q

Progressive aims: business?

A

Demands to regulate business and break up cartels and trusts.

21
Q

Progressive aims: women?

A

Female suffrage and women’s rights.

22
Q

Progressive aims: public morality?

A

Higher standards of public morality, such as prohibition of alcohol.

23
Q

Progressive aims: workers?

A

Protection of workers against unjust employers.

24
Q

Progressive aims: environment?

A

Protection of the environment against pollution and land-grabbing.