HIST 201 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Grover Cleveland, William Jennings Bryan, Mckinley Tariff
19 Sep 2017
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Document Summary
Farmers were the loudest dissenters of the gilded age. Vacuum filled of state legislatures, courts, and political parties. Corruption was a characteristic of the gilded age. Was in government as well; resulted in lax action by administrations. Real power brokers were political figures within parties. Garfield assassinated due to killer not getting a job as a result of his political speech. Reflective of the attitudes of the time. Industrial powers were the true powers of the senate. Set stage for revolt by the farmers. Farming heavily depended on the railroad and heavy and expensive farm machinery. Had to purchase modern machinery and consumer goods. Good for the consumer; bad for the farmer. Strong dollar not ideal as the value of the debt does not change. Organized events for farmers, started own insurance companies, and entered themselves into politics. Indignation of farmers got worse as the government went to the gold standard.
