When the Whig Party split over slavery in the 1850s, there was an open position for the main rival of the Democrats. The “radical” Republican Party beat out the Know Nothings to fill the void. Their mere existence led to secession and Civil War. From humble beginnings, the Republican Party became the dominant political force of the late Nineteenth Century. The “Third Party System,” ranging from 1856-1894, encompasses the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Gilded Age.
Don’t worry, you didn’t click the wrong post! In 1892, Grover Cleveland was back for revenge against the man who dethroned him. But the real action was in the People's Party, whose army of farmers aimed to disrupt the status quo!
It had been twenty years since a Democrat last occupied the White House. Grover Cleveland ran on a platform of integrity and reform. Would his vision be popular enough for the Democrats to win two presidential elections in a row?
The Half-Breed reformers in the Republican Party had another win with the election of President James A. Garfield. He was ready to finish the job President Hayes started on civil service reform. But Stalwarts like Vice President Chester A. Arthur were intent on maintaining the morally questionable Spoils System. Meanwhile, the Democrats were preparing to make their case as the true party of integrity.
In 1876, the Republican Party bargained the end of Reconstruction for the presidency. Now faced with a solidly Democratic South, and fracturing within their own party, was their political dominance finally coming to an end?
It was America’s hundredth year of independence! How did the nation celebrate? With the most controversial election in American history!
Reconstruction was in full swing! But just because the Republicans had a lot of power, didn't mean that everyone in the party was happy. Would President Grant's status as a war hero be enough to win him a second term?
The end of the Civil War was in sight. But, of course, that wouldn’t be the end of America’s sectional crisis. Reconstruction posed its own set of challenges. Let’s find out how Americans faced this new era!
It's weird to think that there were two American governments during the Civil War. Before we move on to Reconstruction in the main series, I thought it would be interesting to discuss how the South found their president.
More Americans lost their lives in the Civil War than in any other war. Every decision weighed heavily on Lincoln, which had visible effects on his appearance. 1864 was the first election held during wartime since 1812. Allowing the election to be held at all was a crucial, frankly underrated, decision by Lincoln. Many believed the election should be postponed, but Lincoln insisted it was necessary to preserve our democracy, even if he might lose. But hey, he's the greatest president of all time for a reason.
Election Tuesdays 