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{{HS_American_History}}

{{HS_American_History}}

[[American History Lecture Eight|Lecture]] - [[American_History_Homework_Eight|Questions]] - [[American History Homework Eight Answers|Student Answers]]

[[American History Lecture Eight|Lecture]] - [[American_History_Homework_Eight|Questions]] - [[American History Homework Eight Answers|Student Answers]]

   

   

In the time period after the end of Reconstruction (1877) until the key presidential election of 1896, economic issues were particularly important.  Very little else was happening: the presidents were unremarkable and, frankly, entirely forgettable.  Social disputes like slavery were resolved.  And for the longest time in American history, there were no wars.  America had no wars between the end of the Civil War in 1865 and the beginning of the Spanish-American War in 1898, a period of 33 years.  Ask yourself: when was the second longest time of peace in American history?<ref>The second longest time period of peace in American history was between the end of the War of 1812 (in 1815) and the beginning of the Mexican War (in 1846), a period of 31 years.  See http://americanhistory.about.com/library/timelines/bltimelineuswars.htm</ref>

In the time period after the end of Reconstruction (1877) until the key presidential election of 1896, economic issues were particularly important.  Very little else was happening: the presidents were unremarkable and, frankly, entirely forgettable.  Social disputes like slavery were resolved.  And for the longest time in American history, there were no wars.  America had no wars between the end of the Civil War in 1865 and the beginning of the Spanish-American War in 1898, a period of 33 years.  Ask yourself: when was the second longest time of peace in American history?<ref>The second longest time period of peace in American history was between the end of the War of 1812 (in 1815) and the beginning of the Mexican War (in 1846), a period of 31 years.  See http://americanhistory.about.com/library/timelines/bltimelineuswars.htm</ref>

There is almost nothing to learn about civil rights during the late 1800s.  The Supreme Court ruled in 1883, in the ''Civil Rights Cases'', that the Fourteenth Amendment was limited to prohibiting racial discrimination ''by government''.  These decisions held that the Fourteenth Amendment does not apply to racism by private groups.  This ended the civil rights movement until the 1950s.

There is almost nothing to learn about civil rights during the late 1800s.  The Supreme Court ruled in 1883, in the ''Civil Rights Cases'', that the Fourteenth Amendment was limited to prohibiting racial discrimination ''by government''.  These decisions held that the Fourteenth Amendment does not apply to racism by private groups.  This ended the civil rights movement until the 1950s.

So what's left to study about 1877 to 1896?  The economy.  Many of the economics questions on the CLEP will come from 1877-1896 because little else was happening then.  If you like economic issues, then this is an exciting time period to study.  The economy was ''booming''.  The greatest inventions in the history of mankind occurred during this period.  Our prosperity today is mostly a result of the tremendous breakthroughs of that era.

So what's left to study about 1877 to 1896?  The economy.  Many of the economics questions on the CLEP come from 1877-1896 because little else was happening then.  If you like economic issues, then this is an exciting time period to study.  The economy was ''booming''.  The greatest inventions in the history of mankind occurred during this period.  Our prosperity today is mostly a result of the tremendous breakthroughs of the second half of the 1800s.

But first, a little review.

But first, a little review.

== Review ==

== Review ==

After the North won the Civil War in 1865, the Republican Party claimed victory and blamed the Democratic Party for the war itself.  From then until 1912, only one Democratic candidate for president was able to win a presidential election:  Grover Cleveland, who won in 1884, then lost in 1888, and then won again in 1892.  And he was a ''[[conservative]]'' Democrat from the traditionally Republican northern state of New York.  The reason the Republican Party won so often was because it was "waving the bloody shirt" every election, which means it was reminding voters of how the Democrats sided with the supposedly treasonous South in seceding and causing the Civil War.

After the North won the Civil War in 1865, the Republican Party claimed victory and blamed the Democratic Party for the war itself.  From then until 1912, only one Democratic candidate for president was able to win a presidential election:  Grover Cleveland, who won in 1884, then lost in 1888, and then won again in 1892.  And he was a ''[[conservative]]'' Democrat from the then-Republican State of New York.  The reason the Republican Party won so often was because it was "waving the bloody shirt" every election, which means it was reminding voters of how the Democrats sided with the supposedly treasonous South in seceding and causing the Civil War.

Republican rule of the nation meant that free enterprise and big business were favored.  This led to tremendous prosperity, and the nation grew into a world power in the second half of the 1800s.

Republican rule of the nation meant that free enterprise and big business were favored.  This led to tremendous prosperity, and the nation grew into a world power in the second half of the 1800s.

The United States also grew in size when the Secretary of State under Presidents Lincoln and Johnson, William Seward, agreed to purchase Alaska from Russia in 1867.  Critics ridiculed this purchase as "Seward's Folly," describing the land as a mere "icebox".  At the time, no one knew there was oil and gold there, or that Sarah Palin would be its future governor!   

The United States also grew in size when the Secretary of State under Presidents Lincoln and Johnson, William Seward, agreed to purchase Alaska from Russia in 1867.  Critics ridiculed this purchase as "Seward's Folly," describing the land as a mere "icebox".  At the time, no one knew there was oil and gold there, or that Sarah Palin would be its future governor!   

Russia needed money to pay for its defensive efforts at the time, as it felt threatened by the massive and growing British Empire.  The purchase price was $7,200,000, which was only about 1.9¢ per acre.  The Senate approved this deal nearly unanimously, but the House of Representatives delayed and was divided in authorizing the funding for it.  The property became useful in World War II in fighting Japan, and during the Cold War in opposing the communist Soviet Union.  As Governor Sarah Palin has pointed out, one can see Russia from Alaska.

Russia needed money to pay for its defensive efforts at the time, as it felt threatened by the massive and growing British Empire.  The purchase price was $7,200,000, which was only about 1.9¢ per acre.  The Senate approved this deal nearly unanimously, but the House of Representatives delayed and was divided in authorizing the funding for it.  The property became useful in World War II in fighting Japan, and during the Cold War in opposing the communist Soviet Union.  As Governor Sarah Palin has pointed out (and was ridiculed because it sounded silly in the context of her statement), one can see Russia from Alaska.

But while the Republicans controlled the presidency from 1868 to 1912 (with the exception of Grover Cleveland), the Democratic Party controlled much of local politics.  "Tammany Hall" was the name of the Democratic Party organization that controlled New York City.  It was a completely corrupt "machine" that elected people, gave out jobs, and even stole money from the City.  Eventually, it was the ''New York Times'' and America's most famous cartoonist, Thomas Nast, who harshly mocked its leader, "Boss" Tweed.  Thomas Nast's cartoons whipped the public into scorning Boss Tweed and demanding that he be brought to justice.  When Boss Tweed was eventually sent to jail, Nast cheered Tweed's humiliation.  This demonstrated the growing influence of political cartoons in changing the course of history.

But while the Republicans controlled the presidency from 1868 to 1912 (with the exception of Grover Cleveland), the Democratic Party controlled much of local politics.  "Tammany Hall" was the name of the Democratic Party organization that controlled New York City.  It was a completely corrupt "machine" that elected people, gave out jobs, and even stole money from the City.  Eventually, it was the ''New York Times'' and America's most famous cartoonist, Thomas Nast, who harshly mocked its leader, "Boss" Tweed.  Thomas Nast's cartoons whipped the public into scorning Boss Tweed and demanding that he be brought to justice.  When Boss Tweed was eventually sent to jail, Nast cheered Tweed's humiliation.  This demonstrated the growing influence of political cartoons in changing the course of history.

In the period just after the end of Reconstruction, many African Americans moved away from discrimination in the South towards the Midwest, especially Kansas.  These migrants are known as the "Exodusters".

In the period just after the end of Reconstruction, many African Americans moved away from discrimination in the South towards the Midwest, especially Kansas.  These migrants are known as the "Exodusters".

Most of our images from the Civil War period and afterward are from pictures taken by Mathew Brady, the greatest photographer of the 19th century.  Born in Albany, New York, he learned to make daguerreotypes<ref>A daguerreotype is an early type of imaging that was direct onto a silver surface, and which does not allow copying.</ref> when he was about 15 years old and went on to take portrait pictures of many Civil War soldiers and most prominent Americans for the rest of his life.<ref>http://www.npg.si.edu/exh/brady/bradcont.html</ref>  Brady maintained studios in New York City and Washington, D.C., but also struggled through financial failures in his self-employed business.  The photograph of Thomas Edison below was taken by Mathew Brady.

Most of our images from the Civil War period and afterward are from pictures taken by Mathew Brady, the greatest photographer of the 19th century.  Born in Albany, New York, he learned to make daguerreotypes<ref>A daguerreotype is an early type of imaging that was directly onto a silver surface.</ref> when he was about 15 years old and went on to take portrait pictures of many Civil War soldiers and most prominent Americans during the rest of his life.<ref>http://www.npg.si.edu/exh/brady/bradcont.html</ref>  Brady maintained studios in New York City and Washington, D.C., but also struggled through financial failures in his self-employed business.  The photograph of Thomas Edison included later in this lecture was taken by Mathew Brady.

== Yankee Ingenuity ==

== Yankee Ingenuity ==

America was not the origin of major religions, or even most great ideas like free enterprise.  America was not the place where most scientific breakthroughs occurred.  America has not been the leader in great writers, or great statesmen.  Most of the concepts that have been so successful in America, like the "separation of powers" structure in the Constitution, are based on insights that originated in Europe.

America was not the origin of major religions, or even most great ideas like free enterprise.  America was not the place where most scientific breakthroughs occurred.  America has not been the leader in great writers, or great statesmen.  Some of the concepts that have been so successful in America, like the "separation of powers" structure in the Constitution, are related to insights that originated in Europe.

Indeed, it is not easy to name what did originate in America.  Not democracy.  Virtually none of the great physicists, mathematicians, composers, writers, or other great thinkers came from America.  What, if anything, is so special about America in its place in the world?

Indeed, it is not easy to name what did originate in America.  Not democracy.  Virtually none of the great physicists, mathematicians, composers, writers, or other great thinkers came from America.  What, if anything, is so special about America in its place in the world?

Several of the most important inventions concerned communications, which created wealth by reducing the costs of exchanging information, and increasing the amount of information available.  In 1831, an American scientist named Joseph Henry invented the first electric telegraph, which enabled communication across distances by using codes to represent letters.   

Several of the most important inventions concerned communications, which created wealth by reducing the costs of exchanging information, and increasing the amount of information available.  In 1831, an American scientist named Joseph Henry invented the first electric telegraph, which enabled communication across distances by using codes to represent letters.   

Soon thereafter, the American Samuel Morse created Morse code to standardize the codes used (1835), and then in 1843 he invented the first long distance electric telegraph line.  This enabled the sending and receiving of messages almost instantaneously over long distances, without having to wait for someone to travel the distance.  Morse is often credited with inventing telegraphy because he made it practical.  In 1844 he sent first long-distance telegraphic message: "What hath God wrought?"<ref>http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/How_To_Homeschool/articles/234.php</ref>  Obviously this greatly increased the ability of people to communicate with each other, and for businesses to communicate their needs and purchases.  This was not like the internet yet, but it was a tremendous improvement over sending letters by U.S. Mail, which could take weeks if the distance was long.  The Pony Express was not even available then; it was first established in 1861 to try to speed up mail delivery.

Soon thereafter, the American Samuel Morse created Morse code to standardize the codes used (1835), and then in 1843 he invented the first long distance electric telegraph line.  This enabled the sending and receiving of messages almost instantaneously over long distances, without having to wait for someone to travel the distance.  Morse is often credited with inventing telegraphy because he made it practical.  In 1844 he sent the first long-distance telegraphic message: "What hath God wrought?"<ref>http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/How_To_Homeschool/articles/234.php</ref>  Obviously this greatly increased the ability of people to communicate with each other, and for businesses to communicate their needs and purchases.  This was not like the internet yet, but it was a tremendous improvement over sending letters by U.S. Mail, which could take weeks if the distance was long.  The Pony Express was not even available then; it was first established in 1861 to try to speed up mail delivery.

In 1866, after four attempts, the transatlantic cable established permanent communication with Europe based on laying a cable on the ocean floor.  This facilitated trade between the continents, and helped families communicate with grandparents back in Europe.

In 1866, after four attempts, the transatlantic cable established permanent communication with Europe based on laying a cable on the ocean floor.  This facilitated trade between the continents, and helped families communicate with grandparents back in Europe.

Self-employed, Edison created one marvelous invention after another, acquiring more than 1300 U.S. and foreign patents throughout his life.  The wealth generated by Edison's work is unfathomable.

Self-employed, Edison created one marvelous invention after another, acquiring more than 1300 U.S. and foreign patents throughout his life.  The wealth generated by Edison's work is unfathomable.

A biographer credited Edison's "highly individualistic style of acquiring knowledge that eventually led him to question scores of the prevailing theories on the workings of electricity."<ref name="Edison"/>  Edison's success was not caused by any special advantages:  his family was poor and Edison himself was nearly totally deaf.  Imagine that:  the inventor of the phonograph (record player) was deaf!  Edison said, "Of all my inventions, I liked the phonograph best."<ref>http://www.phmuseum.org/depot/tour/phonograph.htm</ref>  In the picture of him on the prior page, he cannot fully hear what his own invention is playing.  We should remember that the next time we resort to excuses for not accomplishing what we could have.

A biographer credited Edison's "highly individualistic style of acquiring knowledge that eventually led him to question scores of the prevailing theories on the workings of electricity."<ref name="Edison"/>  Edison's success was not caused by any special advantages:  his family was poor and Edison himself was nearly totally deaf.  Imagine that:  '''''the inventor of the phonograph (record player) was deaf!''''' Edison said, "Of all my inventions, I liked the phonograph best."<ref>http://www.phmuseum.org/depot/tour/phonograph.htm</ref>  In the picture of him on the prior page, he cannot fully hear what his own invention is playing.  We should remember that the next time we resort to excuses for not accomplishing what we could have.

One of Edison's sons, Charles, became a conservative governor of New Jersey and was later a co-founder of the Conservative Party of New York, which remains active today.

One of Edison's sons, Charles, became a conservative governor of New Jersey and was later a co-founder of the Conservative Party of New York, which remains active today.

== The Grange Movement ==

== The Grange Movement ==

Not everyone in America was happy with Republican dominance in the White House, and unregulated free enterprise in the economy.  Many farmers, for example, felt that railroads were charging prices that were too high.  From 1867 to 1874, there was a political movement for States to regulate the prices charged by railroads, which was led by "Granger" politicians.  A leader in "The Grange Movement" was Oliver Kelley, a former official in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Initially the Grange was devoted to social gatherings and educational programs for farmers, who otherwise had a somewhat isolated and tedious lifestyle.  

Not everyone in America was happy with Republican dominance in the White House, or with unregulated free enterprise in the economy.  Many farmers, for example, felt that railroads were charging prices that were too high.  From 1867 to 1874, there was a political movement for States to regulate the prices charged by railroads, which was led by "Granger" politicians.  A leader in "The Grange Movement" was Oliver Kelley, a former official in the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Initially the Grange was devoted to social gatherings and educational programs for farmers, who otherwise had a somewhat isolated and tedious lifestyle.  

In many ways farmers in the 1870s were like homeschoolers today:  divided and lacking in political force.  The Grange Movement attempted to change that.  When there was a financial crisis known as the Panic of 1873, the Grange surged in popularity among farmers who had too much debt and faced expensive rates to ship their goods on the railroads.  Popularity grew in the farm States of Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois, and the Grangers were able to pass "Granger laws" to regulate the railroads and storage facilities for the benefit of farmers.<ref>http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h854.html</ref>

In many ways farmers in the 1870s were like homeschoolers today:  divided and lacking in political force.  The Grange Movement attempted to change that.  When there was a financial crisis known as the Panic of 1873, the Grange surged in popularity among farmers who had too much debt and faced expensive rates to ship their goods on the railroads.  Popularity grew in the farm States of Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois, and the Grangers were able to pass "Granger laws" to regulate the railroads and storage facilities for the benefit of farmers.<ref>http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h854.html</ref>

The owner of a grain elevator (which charges farmers to store their grain) fought an Illinois Granger law all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court in ''Munn v. Illinois'', decided in 1876.  That decision upheld the power of States to regulate (lower or limit increases in) the rates charged by grain warehouses or any other public facility made available for the general public good, such as railroads.  This ruling in favor of the farmers energized the populist movement.  But a subsequent lawsuit brought by the railroads to challenge State regulation of railroad contracts, the ''Wabash'' case (1886), invalidated the State regulation and put the farmers back to square one (powerless to regulate).  The ''Wabash'' case led to the federal government ultimately intervening in favor of the farmers by creating the Interstate Commerce Commission in the Interstate Commerce Act (1887).  This new federal agency, known by its initials as the "ICC", regulates railroad rates and the terms of use in its contracts with the public.

The owner of a grain elevator (which charges farmers to store their grain) fought an Illinois Granger law all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court in ''Munn v. Illinois'', decided in 1876.  That decision upheld the power of States to regulate (lower or limit increases in) the rates charged by grain warehouses or any other public facility made available for the general public good, such as railroads.  This ruling in favor of the farmers energized the populist movement.  But a subsequent lawsuit brought by the railroads to challenge State regulation of railroad contracts, the ''Wabash'' case (1886), invalidated the State regulation and put the farmers back to square one (powerless to regulate).  The ''Wabash'' case led to the federal government ultimately intervening in favor of the farmers by creating the Interstate Commerce Commission in the Interstate Commerce Act (1887).  This new federal agency, known by its initials as the "ICC", regulates railroad rates and the terms of use in its contracts with the public.

The Grange Movement reached its zenith (peak) in 1875.  It then began to decline as its activists started more powerful organizations: the Greenback Party (in the 1870s), the Farmers' Alliances (in the 1880s) and the Populist Party (in the 1890s, which eventually joined with the Democratic Party).

The Grange Movement reached its zenith (peak) in 1875.  It then began to decline as its activists started other organizations: the Greenback Party (in the 1870s), the Farmers' Alliances (in the 1880s) and the Populist Party (in the 1890s, which eventually joined with the Democratic Party).

'''Debate:  Do you think government should be able to set the rates charged by railroads and other "public facilities"?'''

'''Debate:  Do you think government should be able to set the rates charged by railroads and other "public facilities"?'''