Political tensions and divisions

• Political tensions and divisions


  Period 1890 to 1920 saw political tensions as exemplified by rise of Populist movement and progressivism. Resulted in large part from:

  • reaction to the power and influence of big business.
  • perceived dominance of industrial North in promoting political policies in their own interests at the expense of other sectors.
• Political tensions and divisions


  The reaction against big business at national and state level.

  Increasing concern that gov at both levels too weak to combat power and influence of big business. It was felt that business interests were too materialistic and a paucity of patriotism and working together for the common good. Business interests often controlled gov officials and procedures. Muckraking journalists such as Lincoln Steffens felt answer to reform politics was to increase power, efficiency and accountability of gov at all levels.
• Political tensions and divisions


  The reaction against big business at national and state level 2

  Jan 1903 - editor of McClure's magazine wrote hard-hitting editorial in which he attacked powerful political and business interests as immoral and corrupt. Widespread support stimulated other investigations into such areas as diverse as sweatshops and city corruption.
• Political tensions and divisions


  The reaction against big business at national and state level 3

  Local and state level

  At local levels, reformers tried to mobilise grass roots support to clean up city corruption. E.g., often local politicians paid by utility companies to give contacts in which they would charge high prices and offer poor services.

  • One solution was to set up regulatory commissions to oversee utilities
  • Another was to elect town councils w/ professional officials

  By early 1900s, over 400 mil urban councils had been reformed.
• Political tensions and divisions


  The reaction against big business at national and state level 4

  Local and state level 2

  One of major reforms at state level was to introduce popularly elected Senators: most appointed by state legislatures usually controlled by powerful business interests (E.g., railway concerns in California). Cali one of first states to introduce elected Senators - others followed and process became enshrined in 17th Amendment of 1915. Idea was that increased democracy could reduce political corruption and power of business interests.
• Political tensions and divisions


  The reaction against big business at national and state level 5

  National level

  Emphasis here was on reform. But measures passed in late nineteenth century too vague to be effective. E.g., Democrat Pres Cleveland created Interstate Commerce Commission in 1887 but it lacked bite. Railroad companies needed to publish rates and desist form offering preferential rebates to big business, but had no power to regulate rates themselves. The 1890 Sherman Anti-Trust Act had been easily negated in law.
• Political tensions and divisions


  The reaction against big business at national and state level 6

  These measures went some way to addressing power and influence of big business and set precedents for the future, but were insufficient to assuage popular feeling. Frustrations people felt led to creation of Populist Party and progressive movement.