"The Forgotten Presidents"
During the Gilded Age era, Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, Chester A. Arthur, Grover Cleveland, and Benjamin Harrison were considered "the forgotten presidents" since they didn't have a major impact on the history of the United States. One of the most notable events that happened was the assassination of President Garfield in 1881.
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James A. Garfield (20th President)
The Republican Convention of 1880 was devided greatly between the Stalwarts and Half-Breeds. After 36 ballots, the convention settled on a compromise candidate which was James A. Garfield. Although he was not openly supportive of the Half-Breeds, he favored many of the policies that they proposed.
In 1881, Garfield was assassinated by James Guiteau, a radical Stalwart. He declared, " I am a Stalwart of the Stalwarts and Arthur will be President." This statement promptly ended the term usage of Stalwarts and Half-Breeds among the Republicans.
As a result of Garfield's death, Congress passed the Pendleton Act which created the Civil Service Commission two years later. It removed the "spoils system", which rewarded a party's supporters with jobs in government. It also allowed people to keep their government position jobs even if a new president takes office.
In 1881, Garfield was assassinated by James Guiteau, a radical Stalwart. He declared, " I am a Stalwart of the Stalwarts and Arthur will be President." This statement promptly ended the term usage of Stalwarts and Half-Breeds among the Republicans.
As a result of Garfield's death, Congress passed the Pendleton Act which created the Civil Service Commission two years later. It removed the "spoils system", which rewarded a party's supporters with jobs in government. It also allowed people to keep their government position jobs even if a new president takes office.
William McKinley (25th President)
William McKinley was born on January 29, 1843, in Niles, Ohio. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, he enlisted in the Union army where he gradually rose through the ranks and eventually earned the rank of brevet major of volunteers.
After the war, he returned to Ohio were he studied law in Canton, Ohio and married Ida Saxton, the love of his life. However, her health rapidly deteriorated, and she spent the rest of her life in medical care. McKinley would always care for his wife, even throughout his political career, and the public praised McKinley for his devotion to her.
After the war, he returned to Ohio were he studied law in Canton, Ohio and married Ida Saxton, the love of his life. However, her health rapidly deteriorated, and she spent the rest of her life in medical care. McKinley would always care for his wife, even throughout his political career, and the public praised McKinley for his devotion to her.
Life of Politics
In 1869, McKinley entered Ohio politics as a republican and won the election to U.S Congress in 1876. He spent 14 years in Congress, served as chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, and became an avid supporter for higher tariffs on imported goods. In the year of 1891, McKinley ran for governor of Ohio and won by a narrow margin.
By 1896, McKinley decided that he wanted to run for president as a republican nominee. In the general election, his opponent was William Jennings Bryan, who supported the coinage of silver as well as gold. McKinley won the popular vote by a large margin of 600,000; it was one of the largest victories in 25 years
Soon after taking office, McKinley called a special session of Congress in order to pass the Dingley Tariff Act, one of the highest protective tariffs in American History. Its goal was to encourage the growth of domestic industry and employment for American workers. Another idea that he tried to pursue was expanding the U.S market to China and ensuring that there was a strong U.S position in the World market. It became known as the "Open Door" policy.
By 1896, McKinley decided that he wanted to run for president as a republican nominee. In the general election, his opponent was William Jennings Bryan, who supported the coinage of silver as well as gold. McKinley won the popular vote by a large margin of 600,000; it was one of the largest victories in 25 years
Soon after taking office, McKinley called a special session of Congress in order to pass the Dingley Tariff Act, one of the highest protective tariffs in American History. Its goal was to encourage the growth of domestic industry and employment for American workers. Another idea that he tried to pursue was expanding the U.S market to China and ensuring that there was a strong U.S position in the World market. It became known as the "Open Door" policy.
Spanish-American War
McKinley also had to deal with the ongoing threat of the Spanish-American War. At first, he wanted to avoid any conflict with the Spanish, but after the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor in 1898, he asked Congress for the authority to intervene with Spain. A formal declaration of war came on April 25, 1898; the war lasted from early May to mid-August. It ended when Spain was defeated near Santiago harbor in Cuba.
The Treaty of Paris was signed in December of 1898, and it officially ended the Spanish-American War. In the agreement, Spain would give Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States, and in return, Cuba would receive independence from the U.S.
The Treaty of Paris was signed in December of 1898, and it officially ended the Spanish-American War. In the agreement, Spain would give Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines to the United States, and in return, Cuba would receive independence from the U.S.
Running a Second Term
In 1900, William McKinley ran for a second term; he faced William Jennings Bryan(again) who supported anti-imperialism. McKinley won the election and his second inauguration was in March of 1901.
On a tour throughout the country near a Detroit mill on September 6, 1901, McKinley was shot twice by a mill worker named Leon Czolgosz. McKinley was rushed to a Buffalo hospital, and he died 8 days later. Vice president, Theodore Roosevelt, took over.
On a tour throughout the country near a Detroit mill on September 6, 1901, McKinley was shot twice by a mill worker named Leon Czolgosz. McKinley was rushed to a Buffalo hospital, and he died 8 days later. Vice president, Theodore Roosevelt, took over.
Theodore Roosevelt (26th President)
Theodore Roosevelt was born in 1858 to a wealthy family, but he struggled with his health and became a strong advocate for "strenuous" life. In 1884, his wife, Alice Lee Roosevelt, and his mother died on the same day. To combat his sadness, he traveled to the Badlands of the Dakota Territory where he learned to saddle, drive cattle, and hunt big game. On a visit to London in December 1886, he married Edith Carow.
During the Spanish-American war, Roosevelt was the lieutenant colonel of the the Rough Rigder Regiment where he lead the charge in the battle of San Juan. He became a war hero and ran for Governor of New York in 1898. Roosevelt won and became known for his unique style of government.
During the Spanish-American war, Roosevelt was the lieutenant colonel of the the Rough Rigder Regiment where he lead the charge in the battle of San Juan. He became a war hero and ran for Governor of New York in 1898. Roosevelt won and became known for his unique style of government.
Political Life
Becoming so successful in politics, Roosevelt decided to run as vice president for William McKinley during the 1900 election. When McKinley was assassinated, Roosevelt took office as the youngest president in the nation's history; he was only 43 years old. As president, Roosevelt broke up "trusts", big business, and the railroads of the Northwest. His favorite quote was, "Speak softly and carry a big stick..."
Another important aspect of his presidency was the creation of the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal was shortcut to go between the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean; it allowed for faster and cheaper transportation to go among the two oceans as well as increased trade with the Asian markets. Roosevelt also was a huge conservationist who believed in dedicating some of the federal land for national parks and forests used both for the public and also conservation efforts.
Another important aspect of his presidency was the creation of the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal was shortcut to go between the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean; it allowed for faster and cheaper transportation to go among the two oceans as well as increased trade with the Asian markets. Roosevelt also was a huge conservationist who believed in dedicating some of the federal land for national parks and forests used both for the public and also conservation efforts.
Bull Moose Party
In 1909, Roosevelt left the Presidency and went on an African safari. Due to William Taft's unsuccessful job at being president, Roosevelt decided to run again as president in 1912 where he ran under the "bull moose" party. He won the election and became beloved by the people. He died in 1919.
William Howard Taft (27th President)
William Howard Taft was born on September 15, 1857, in Cincinnati, Ohio. His father was Alphonso Taft, a Republican attorney who served as secretary of war and attorney general under President Ulysses S. grant. William attended Yale University and studied law at the University of Cincinnati. He entered private practice in Ohio during 1880. He married the love of his life, Helen "Nettie" Herron, in 1886; they had three children.
Political Life
Under Roosevelt, Taft served as the secretary of war. During the 1908 election, Theodore Roosevelt supported Taft as president and was a major influence in him becoming president. In 1909, Taft held a special session of Congress to debate the tariff reforms, and it led to the passage of the Payne-Aldrich Act which did little to lower the tariffs.
Although people have a negative view of Taft being president, he accomplished some achievements. For example, he broke up trusts, empowered the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), and supported a set of constitutional amendments to mandate a federal income tax. He also reformed the election process, and senators were chosen by the people instead of by state legislatures.
Although people have a negative view of Taft being president, he accomplished some achievements. For example, he broke up trusts, empowered the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), and supported a set of constitutional amendments to mandate a federal income tax. He also reformed the election process, and senators were chosen by the people instead of by state legislatures.
Chief Justice of U.S. Supreme Court
Nine years after Taft left office in 1921, he achieved his long time goal of becoming chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He was appointed by President Warren G. Harding and served until 1930. On March 8th, 1930, William Howard Taft died.