Major Characteristics of US government in late 1870's and 1880's

Question

 What were the major characteristics of the American government in the late 1870’s and 1880’s? Be sure to include the development of party politics during the period as well as results of the elections of the period as well as the distribution of power between the 3 branches of govt. Also, what third party emerged in the 1890’s? Who made up that party’s ranks? What was its platform? What were election results for the party?

Answer 1

There are several things to point out in addition to Chris E's fine answer, above.

National elections were very close contests in this period, so the Democrats and Republicans were very general in their issues. That caused 3rd parties to develop, which focused on particular issues which the 2 major parties were afraid of dealing with. Hence the development of the Greenback Labor Party, and Farmers'Alliance. The ideas of these parties were eventually absorbed by one or more or both of the 2 major parties.

In terms of economic and business policy, the government went from laissez-faire (hands-off) to government regulation (Interstate Commerce Act). How did Presidents react to labor disputes--sided with business and sent troops to break up strikes.

Look into the influence of Civil War veterans on elections and Republicans (Waving the Bloody Flag).

Creation of the Liberal branch of the Republican Party, influence of the "loco-focos", and the creation of the Greenback Labor Party.

Checks and balances: A very conservative Supreme Court strikes down Reconstruction laws, and favors laissez-faire business policies. The Congress reacts by passing laws about business regulation.

Consider also how the Pendleton Act affects the Executive Branch by finding a way to slowly get rid of the spoils system for government jobs.

Answer 2

You may want to break this question down into smaller questions because there is so much to unpack, but I can give you the gist of what happened as to the second half of your question.

In the Gilded Age, western farmers faced major problems: crop prices fell due to over-production by farmers, banks charged high interest rates on mortgages and foreclosed on farmers, and railroads charged high rates for shipping crops. During the Civil War, the government printed lots of paper money called "greenbacks." This surplus money led to inflation so the government withdrew paper money and returned to the gold standard. As a result, the U.S. experienced deflation which lowered prices but lowered prices meant farmers might be unable to repay debts and face financial ruin. These problems convinced farmers to organize into groups like the Grangers and the Farmers' Alliance but both groups failed to improve farmers' lives. So, in 1890, westerners formed a new political party to bring about reforms called the Populist Party. The Populists demanded the end to pro-business, laissez-faire policies and begin to regulate railroads to force them to lower rates on farmers. They wanted a national income tax to take the tax burden off farmers, and they called for an amendment to allow citizens (not state legislatures) to directly elect Senators. Populists demanded bimetallism: using currency based on gold and silver in order to inflate the money supply. From 1890 to 1896, the Populist Party was an influential 3rd party and challenged the Democratic and Republican Parties. During this time, 3 governors, 10 congressmen, and 5 senators were elected Populist candidates. In 1892, a populist candidate ran for president but lost. In the presidential election of 1896, bimetallism was the most important issue and Populist candidate William Jennings Bryan gave his "Cross of Gold" speech that explained the disastrous effects of the gold standard on working class Americans. Despite Bryan's success among farmers in the West, William McKinley won the election and returned to the gold standard and killed the bimetallism movement. After the election of 1896, the Populist Party died, but Populist ideas such as income tax, direct election of Senators, and regulation of railroads would be enacted in the Progressive Era.