Throughout the 1880's and 1890's, financial crisis for farmers and laborers led to a general feeling of discontent among this class. Due to their desire for better economic conditions for farmers, they formed the People's Party - or the Populist Party. Doomed almost from the beginning, this party had problems with competing factions within its own ranks. There were two different opinions within the party: those who were called "fusionists" because of their desire to merge with the Democratic Party and those called "mid-roaders" who wanted to keep the individuality of the party without catering to the wants of the Democratic Party. In 1896 there was a scandal regarding the presidential nominee for both the Democratic Party and the Populist Party. Both parties nominated William Jennings Bryan to represent their parties, but because of the split ballot, he lost the election to McKinley. This defeat was the beginning of the end for the Populist Party, that saw a radical decrease in participation after this election.
The Sherman Anti-Trust Act By: Veronica France
One of the first measures by the United States government to curb the control of big businesses that characterized this decade. The Sherman Anti-Trust Act was an act designed to dissolve the hated trusts that were formed by big companies such as the Standard Oil Trust. These big businesses use the trusts to form monopolies over their industries, which helps them but hurts the overall economy. Although this act was intended to fine those who used trusts and dissolve the trusts themselves, it failed to concretely define what a trust was and was not really enforced.
The Spanish-American War By: Veronica France
As Americans, we have always tried to help those in need. So when the Cuban people asked us for our help in their quest for independence from Spain, we sailed over to the port of Havana on the U.S.S Maine. While peacefully sitting in the harbor, we were attacked in the most brutal way. The U.S.S Maine was blown to pieces right before our eyes. Now enraged by the loss of American lives, we pursued the conflict and fought the Spaniards in Cuba. We finally beat Spain in the battles around the hills of San Juan. We can owe our victory to the valiant efforts of the "rough riders" led by Theodore Roosevelt.
THE TRAGEDY OF THE U.S.S MAINE
The U.S.S Maine was floating peacefully in the Havana Bay when it was suddenly blown to smithereens. Although the cause for this catastrophe is officially unknown, it is highly likely that the Spanish are the ones responsible for this injustice.
Extending Democracy in the Progressive Era By: Veronica France
Throughout the Progressive Era there has been a movement to extend democracy. Reforms such as the introduction of the Australian Secret Ballot and a significant increase in citizen participation in the government. In the 17th Amendment to the Constitution, citizens were granted the right to directly elect state senators. This went hand and hand with the ideas of initiative, referendum, and recall. The idea of initiative was that the people could propose a piece of legislation and attempt to petition to get enough signatures to put it forth for a vote. The idea of referendum is such that the citizens are able to call into question a piece of legislation that has already been passed in order to let the people vote on it. The idea of recall is such that the citizens may call to remove a politician from office. All of these new measures allowed the citizens of the United States to expand their Democratic horizons.
New Imperialistic Attitudes By: Veronica France
According to Frederick Jackson Turner, America is ready for a new frontier. With the expansion into the Western Frontier that characterized the previous decades, it has been said that America has exhausted it's boundaries from sea to shining sea and now needs to go abroad. Due to this attitude, president McKinley has put forth a new policy of imperialism that is contrary to the isolationist policy that began with Washington's farewell address. We have added Puerto Rico and Hawaii to our borders as well as the Philippines after the Spanish-American War. There are many who oppose this new attitude towards expansion (namely Car Schorz and Pulitzer), but the McKinley administration pushes onward with enlightened foreign policy that is working to better diversify America.
America's Reach
The American Empire stretched it's boundaries in the 1890's to encompass much of the Philippine and Pacific Islands. We acquired Puerto Rico and Hawaii after the downfall of Queen Liliulakalani. We want to protect our American businessmen abroad and broaden our horizons.
William McKinley
William McKinley was the victor of the 1896 election against William Jennings Bryan. Due to the split ballot in which both the Democratic Party and the Populist Party endorsed Bryan, McKinley was the Republican candidate. He pursued a foreign policy of imperialism and was president during the Spanish-American War.