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The Four Major Issues In Congress Between 1876 And 1896

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Between 1876 and 1896 Congress had to deal with four major issues, along with other issues. The four major issues included tariffs, currency, civil service, and government regulation of railroads. While dealing with these issues they had to put into consideration their needs, the peoples needs, and what makes a healthy government. The issue of tariffs made Congress decide wether to raise or lower tariffs. The two parties, Democrats and Republicans, did not see eye to eye on this issue. Republicans wished for high tariffs, while Democrats thought they needed to lower tariffs. Republicans saw tariffs as a protection for business and farmers in America. If there was a high tariff on imported goods people would be more likely to buy less imported and more locally grown goods. On the other side, Democrats wished for a low tariff because they thought that governments who did less were the best, so if the government put a high tariff on imported things they would be too controlling. In the end most tariffs were higher with exceptions to a few lowered ones. …show more content…

During the Civil War paper money had been made, but at the time it was not exchangeable for gold or silver. Congress had to decide wether or not to keep the paper money, get rid of it, or make it exchangeable for gold and silver. People had arguments on why they should do either option. The ones who voted to get rid of paper money or make it exchangeable feared inflation. Where the people who voted to keep paper money said there was not enough gold and silver to support a growing economy. In the end they had to take so much silver and turn it into silver

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