The Rise of Populism and American Imperialism

Populists, known as members of the people's party, played a major role in a significant political movement during that time. Originating from the Farmers' Alliance, a national organization uniting farmers from forty-three states to tackle shared issues, the people's party broadened its membership to encompass all "producing classes." Their enduring influence is evident in the populist platform of 1892 and their near success in supplanting the existing political parties.

After the collapse of populism, a system of racial segregation was implemented in the South by the Redeemers.

They enacted discriminatory laws that targeted African Americans, such as convict labor which resembled slavery and limited access to high-paying jobs. Despite these challenges, a black middle class started to develop in cities. However, political representation for blacks decreased and their voting rights were eventually revoked. The Plessy v. Ferguson case legalized public segregation, leading to a resurgence in lynching incidents.

During this time, American freedom contracted as the focus shifted towards granting it only to individuals considered deserving.

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Immigrants, particularly those from Italy, Russia, and other countries in Southern and eastern Europe, were regarded with suspicion and believed to have a tendency towards criminal behavior. Measures were taken to restrict the rights of immigrants and bar more from coming into the nation. The Immigration Restriction League in Boston suggested literacy requirements for entry, which was adopted by numerous states. In the South, African Americans encountered escalating disenfranchisement and diminishing rights. Suffrage ceased to be viewed as a right but instead as a privilege in America.

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In the 1890's, the United States became an imperial power by realizing their own land and resources were not sufficient. Initially, annexation proposals were rejected, with a focus on trade overseas. However, a new concept of manifest destiny emerged, suggesting that spreading Anglo-Saxon traditions to uncivilized societies and turning them into consumers of American goods would be beneficial for the world.

Josiah Strong's book, Our Country, laid out the idea that American expansion needed to move outward after western land had been fully claimed by the states. Alfred T. Mahan capitalized on this notion in a book that encouraged American expansion beyond its borders due to the inability to utilize domestic land effectively. This idea influenced James Blaine, secretary of state under President Harrison, who advocated for the construction of four new battleships and the establishment of naval bases in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Cuba. The country's depression at the time intensified these ideas and sparked a period of aggressive nationalism, leading to a high demand for newspapers promoting nationalist views.

Here is an explanation of important words and their meanings:

The Farmer’s Alliance – Farmers in the early 1890’s felt marginalized, so they united to support one another. Spanning across 43 states. The Populist Party – Originated from the farmer's alliance, but encompassed all laboring groups. Their agenda continues to be a quintessential American manifesto. They aimed to redefine the notion of liberty within the current administration. Garnering many adherents, notably several women advocating for suffrage, and a few African Americans. Populist Platform – Comprised of six primary points:

1. Direct election of U.S. Senators
2. Government control of currency
3. A graduated income tax
4. Low cost public financing for farmers
5. Legalize unionizing
6. Public ownership of railroads

William J. Bryan, the second candidate chosen by the populists for president, was backed by Democrats and ran as a Democrat. He opposed the gold standard, advocated for free silver and unrestricted minting of silver coins to assist farmers in paying off their debts, and was recognized for his strong religious convictions.

Coxey's Army, led by Ohio entrepreneur Jacob Coxey, was made up of many unemployed people who journeyed to Washington D.C. seeking financial aid. The movement was eventually disbanded by the military.

Workers in the company town of Pullman went on strike during the Pullman Strike due to their low wages, with support from the American Railway Union. This led to a nationwide boycott of rail services, prompting the government to issue injunctions forcing workers back to work.

Eugene V. Debs, a well-known figure in the rail-worker's union and the Pullman strike, was jailed for contempt of court. When he was freed, 100,000 followers greeted him as champions of liberty. Debs cautioned that both state and federal authorities were ready to deprive the powerless of their basic rights.

William Jennings Bryan supported the idea of Free Silver, which called for the unlimited minting of silver currency to boost money circulation and support farmers.

William McKinley won the 1896 election by beating Democrat William Bryan with a margin of about 6 million votes. Bryan's support for inflation and criticism of corporate power caused many Republicans to choose McKinley. The industrial states in the Northeast and Midwest mostly supported the Republicans, while smaller states tended to favor Bryan, resulting in his loss.

William McKinley, the former governor of Ohio and a Republican, was victorious in the 1896 election. His campaign manager Hanna established a political machine that distributed numerous pamphlets and propaganda throughout the states.

The Redeemers believed they had saved the southern region from misgovernment and black rule, establishing a racial hierarchy after the downfall of populism. Once in power, they swiftly dismantled much of the progress made during Reconstruction. Harsh new laws resulted in the imprisonment of individuals for minor offenses, with convicts being treated as commodities, bought and sold for labor akin to slavery.

The Kansas Exodus saw 50,000 black individuals move to Kansas in search of political equality, safety, education, and economic opportunities, spurred on by Pap Singleton's idealized vision of the state. However, many lacked the resources to become successful farmers, leading them to accept low-wage jobs in the area instead. As black individuals turned away from politics in favor of other careers following Reconstruction, they later found themselves disenfranchised through legal voter restrictions such as poll taxes specifically targeted at them.

Jim Crow Laws were state and local laws in the Southern states that mandated racial segregation, such as poll taxes, literacy tests, and the grandfather clause. Black individuals were barred from accessing public facilities like parks, theaters, housing, and mass transit. Economic penalties were enforced to maintain their inferior status.

The "separate but equal" doctrine was supported by Plessy V. Ferguson, which affirmed the legality of state laws requiring racial segregation in public facilities.

Lynching, the act of killing and hanging a black person on a tree as a way to shame them publicly, was frequently done without any intervention from authorities even though they were aware of the situation.

The Chinese Exclusion Act was the initial major restriction on immigration to the United States, with the goal of reducing competition for jobs by preventing additional unskilled Chinese immigrants from entering the country.

Booker T. Washington, a former slave, promoted economic self-sufficiency and the gradual assimilation of African Americans into society by founding the Tuskegee Institute.

The American Federation of Labor, led by Samuel Gompers, was a coalition of skilled workers in craft unions. Their primary goals included advocating for higher wages, shorter work hours, and better working conditions.

Alfred Mahan, who wrote "The Influence of Sea Power Upon History" in 1890, argued that the growth of the United States' economy relied on accessing new international markets through a more powerful navy.

Josiah Strong, author of Our Country: Its Possible Future and Its Present Crisis, promoted the idea of Anglo-Saxons "civilizing and Christianizing" the American West. The annexation of Hawaii started with American sugar plantation owners overthrowing the queen, leading to American military involvement. McKinley pursued a joint resolution for annexation because it was favored by Americans, despite resistance from Hawaiians.

The USS Maine suspicions, support for Cuban independence, economic depression, and Yellow Press Journalism all contributed to sparking the Spanish-American War. This conflict marked America's shift towards imperialism and resulted in the acquisition of three new territories after their victory.

The Teller Amendment ensured that the United States would not annex Cuba after winning the war.

Yellow Journalism is a form of journalism that distorts news to capture readers' attention.

The Open Door Policy permitted free trade with Asia but banned Asians from immigrating to the country.

The Philippine War began with Filipinos mistakenly thinking they would have self-governance post-Spanish independence. However, McKinley's desire to retain control of the islands sparked a rebellion by the Filipinos, resulting in their defeat.

The poem "White Man’s Burden" by Rudyard Kipling conveys the idea that it is the duty of the government to civilize what they perceive as inferior races.

The Anti-Imperialist League believed that democracy and empire were incompatible.

Updated: Feb 21, 2024
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The Rise of Populism and American Imperialism. (2016, Dec 10). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/give-me-liberty-chapter-17-outline-essay

The Rise of Populism and American Imperialism essay
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