1876
1895

Era

Gilded Age

Industrialization, narrow margins, and patronage politics.

Inside the Gilded Age era

Across 1876–1892, the Gilded Age era takes in 5 presidential elections. One thread runs through the period: Industrialization, narrow margins, and patronage politics.

The Republican party won 3 of the 5 contests, more than any other party in the era. It opens with the 1876 election (Rutherford B. Hayes) and closes with 1892 (Grover Cleveland). A pivotal cycle was 1876 — A disputed result reshapes Reconstruction.

5 cycles in this era

Rutherford B. Hayes

Republican · 185 EV · 47.9% pop

Most disputed election ever; Hayes won despite losing popular vote; ended Reconstruction

James A. Garfield

Republican · 214 EV · 48.3% pop

Closest popular vote ever (1,898 votes); Garfield was assassinated after just 6 months

Grover Cleveland

Democratic · 219 EV · 48.9% pop

First Democrat elected president since 1856; 'Rum, Romanism, and Rebellion' gaffe cost Blaine NY

Benjamin Harrison

Republican · 233 EV · 47.8% pop

Cleveland won popular vote but lost Electoral College; became the only president to serve non-consecutive terms

Grover Cleveland

Democratic · 277 EV · 46.0% pop

Cleveland became the only president to serve non-consecutive terms; Populists won 22 electoral votes

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Classroom

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60 cycles · K-2 through AP · open download.

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Poster

Wall-worthy print · coming soon

Every-election grid and single-state series in the works.

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Read further

Curated picks

The Republic for Which It Stands

Richard White

Reconstruction through the Gilded Age.

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The Populist Vision

Charles Postel

Bancroft-winning history of Populism.

Buy on Amazon →

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