A Short History of the United States for School Use Part 56

[Ill.u.s.tration: GROVER CLEVELAND.]

463. Cleveland's Administration, 1885-89.--The great contest of Cleveland's first term was a fierce struggle over the tariff. The government's need of money during the Civil War had compelled Congress to raise large sums by means of internal revenue taxes. These taxes in turn had brought about a great increase in the tariff rates on goods imported from foreign countries. The internal revenue taxes had been almost entirely removed, but the war tariff substantially remained in force. In 1887 Cleveland laid the whole question before Congress. For a time it seemed probable that something would be done. But the opposition in Congress was very active and very strong. It fell out, therefore, that nothing important was done. The real significance of Cleveland's first administration lay in the fact that the Southerners were once again admitted to a share in the government of the nation. It marked, therefore, the reunion of the American people.

QUESTIONS AND TOPICS

CHAPTER 42

----437, 438.--_a_. Explain carefully Lincoln's plan for reconstruction.

How was it affected by his death?

_b_. What was Johnson's att.i.tude toward reconstruction? Precisely what is meant by "reconstruction"?

----439-441.--_a_. What was the force of the Emanc.i.p.ation Proclamation?

How was the inst.i.tution of slavery abolished?

_b_. Explain the reasons for the establishment of the freedmen's bureau.

What do you think of the provision relating to the use of the army?

_c_. How was Congress able to pa.s.s a bill over the President's veto?

_d_. Explain carefully the Fourteenth Amendment. What do you think of the provision as to debts?

----442, 443.--_a_. Why were the elections of 1866 important?

_b_. What was the force of the Tenure of Office Act, and why was it pa.s.sed?

_c_. Describe the actual process of reconstruction.

_d_. Why was Johnson impeached? Why did the impeachment fail?

----444, 445.--_a_. How did this act of Napoleon's set the Monroe Doctrine at defiance?

_b_. What action did the government take? With what result?

_c_. What advantage has Alaska been to the United States?

--446.--_a_. What were the issues in the campaign of 1868?

_b_. What had Blair done for the Union?

_c_. What did the election of Grant show?

CHAPTER 43

----447-449.--_a_. What were the provisions of the Fifteenth Amendment?

_b_. Under what conditions were the remaining seceded states readmitted?

_c_. What was the Force Act? Why was it pa.s.sed?

--450.--_a_. How was the injury to our s.h.i.+pping during the Civil War connected with Great Britain?

_b_. What is meant by "arbitration"? Is it better to settle disputes by arbitration or by war?

----451-452.--_a_. Describe the Chicago fire and its results.

_b_. Why was there so much bribery and corruption at this time?

_c_. Should city governments be conducted as business enterprises?

--453.--_a_. Why was there so much opposition to Grant's reelection?

_b_. Why did the Democrats nominate Greeley? What was the result of the election?

--454.--_a_. What trouble broke out in Cuba? Why?

_b_. Describe the _Virginius_ affair. How did the Cuban rebellion come to an end?

----455, 456.--_a_. What scandal arose in connection with the Union Pacific Railway?

_b_. What was the "Whiskey Ring"? What was Grant's wish?

_c_. What troubles arose in the South? Could they have been avoided?

----457, 458.--_a_. Why was there a dispute about the election of 1876?

How was it settled?

_b_. Was it wise to let the Southerners work out their questions for themselves or not? Why?

----459, 460.--_a_. Compare the panic of 1873 with that of 1877 explaining the likenesses and differences.

_b_. Why was opposition to the nomination of Grant so strong?

_c_. Who were nominated? Who was elected?

----461.--_a_. What was the cause of Garfield's murder?

_b_. Why is Civil Service Reform so difficult?

_c_. What is meant by the "Merit System"? Do you consider such a system better or worse than the Spoils System? Why?

----462, 463.--_a_. Why was Blaine so strongly opposed? Who were the "Mugwumps"? How did their action influence the election?

_b_. What is the difference between internal revenue taxes and customs duties?

_c_. What was the real significance of Cleveland's first election?