| | He was elected in [[United States presidential election, 1884|1884]], defeated for reelection in [[United States presidential election, 1888|1888]], then elected to a second term in [[United States presidential election, 1892|1892]]. Cleveland was the only [[Democrat]] elected president between [[James Buchanan]] in 1856 and [[Woodrow Wilson]] in 1912. | | He was elected in [[United States presidential election, 1884|1884]], defeated for reelection in [[United States presidential election, 1888|1888]], then elected to a second term in [[United States presidential election, 1892|1892]]. Cleveland was the only [[Democrat]] elected president between [[James Buchanan]] in 1856 and [[Woodrow Wilson]] in 1912. |
| − | Cleveland was best known in his time for his honesty and courage, his leadership of the business-oriented [[Bourbon Democrats]], and his opposition to the leftist forces that were overwhelming the Democratic party. In the 21st century, some [[conservative]]s praise his [[limited government]] values. Cleveland supported the gold standard and lower tariffs, and opposed imperialism, corruption, patronage, veterans' pensions, high taxes and silver-based inflation. Some historians point out that Cleveland was the last small government president the Democrats ever elected.<ref>Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen, "A Patriot's History of the United States" (2007)</ref> However, other historians argue that Cleveland began the steady expansion of the federal role.<ref>See Ballard C. Campbell, ''The Growth of American Government: Governance From The Cleveland Era to the Present.'' (1995) for the latter view.</ref> | + | Cleveland was best known in his time for his honesty and courage, his leadership of the business-oriented [[Bourbon Democrats]], and his opposition to the leftist forces that were overwhelming the Democratic Party. In the 21st century, some [[conservative]]s praise his [[limited government]] values. Cleveland supported the gold standard and lower tariffs, and opposed imperialism, corruption, patronage, veterans' pensions, high taxes and silver-based inflation. Some historians point out that Cleveland was the last small government president the Democrats ever elected.<ref>Larry Schweikart and Michael Allen, "A Patriot's History of the United States" (2007)</ref> However, other historians argue that Cleveland began the steady expansion of the federal role.<ref>See Ballard C. Campbell, ''The Growth of American Government: Governance From The Cleveland Era to the Present.'' (1995) for the latter view.</ref> |
| | Cleveland's first term (1885–1889) was uneventful, but his second term (1893–97) was filled with economic crises and political upheavals. Cleveland was famous for breaking the Pullman Strike in 1894, which was paralyzing much of the national transportation grid west of Detroit. He was repudiated by his Democratic Party in 1896, as it nominated [[William Jennings Bryan]] in 1896, 1900 and 1908; Bryan lost each time. However the Democrats nominated Cleveland supporters [[Alton Parker]] in 1904 (he lost), and [[Woodrow Wilson]] in 1912 (he won). | | Cleveland's first term (1885–1889) was uneventful, but his second term (1893–97) was filled with economic crises and political upheavals. Cleveland was famous for breaking the Pullman Strike in 1894, which was paralyzing much of the national transportation grid west of Detroit. He was repudiated by his Democratic Party in 1896, as it nominated [[William Jennings Bryan]] in 1896, 1900 and 1908; Bryan lost each time. However the Democrats nominated Cleveland supporters [[Alton Parker]] in 1904 (he lost), and [[Woodrow Wilson]] in 1912 (he won). |