The Mugwumps were a political activist group that emerged in 1884. They were affiliated with republican cluster, but they were known to bolt from the Republican Party and supported Grover Cleveland, a democratic candidate, in the 1884 presidential elections (Oakes 19.2). The term Mugwumps is an Algonquian associated which means an important people or a war leader. Thus, they were an influential group in the society at that moment.
The Mugwumps changed party since they were unsatisfied by the financial credibility of the republican candidate at that moment, Oakes. G. Blaine. The Mugwumps made a differential and substantial change in the outcome of the elections as Cleveland won the election by a small margin (Oakes 19.7). The Mugwumps were concerned that, if Blaine got the candidacy, they would suffer hits of corruption and rejection. It was expected that if a candidate won the elections, they would give certain government positions to those who supported them in the elections. Blaine was the leader of the reform of the act but the Mugwumps did not appreciate his position and credibility.
Although there was the establishment of United States Civil Service Commission back in 1883, which was a body to ensure that a candidate is competent and has necessary merits to hold office, the implementation of the act was slow and this caused the Mugwumps to take action. Political slavery remained the basis of getting a government position by any leader. Blaine was the leader of the reform of the act but the Mugwumps did not appreciate his position and credibility (Oakes 19.5).
The division was quite helpful to the victory of Grover Cleveland, bringing him in as the first democrat candidate to hold the seat from the era of civil war. However, although the Mugwumps helped cub the cases of financial corruption from Blaine, many scholars believe this win brought many immigrant voters and increased their voting power (Oakes 19.2).
American imperialism is the era of economic influence as well as military and cultural enforcement by America on other countries. This influence was in the quest for expansion and search for resources in other countries (Crash course 1).
The Americans ignored attitudes and racial affiliations in the mission to conquer Philippines and Spanish territories. Native Cubans were rejecting the colonial attempt by the Spanish, which led to Americans developing interest in the country (Crash course 1). Almost, 95, 000Cubans died which led to weakening of their power and Spain took over (Crash course 1). America then prompted them out through a war. The Americans went to war with Spain and Philippines with a mentality of war and end economic uncertainty in developing a pace of mind. TheAmericans considered that those of a different colour especially, Africans and Philippines were weak and they invaded without an agreement with the natives causing unnecessary deaths and turmoil among the people.There was a lot of superiority from the American army as they treated the natives of the lands they explored with inhuman considerations such as torture of women and children (Crashcourse 1).
The cartoon depicted at the end of the chapter is a representation of “school” begins” which was published in Puck magazine. The cartoon represents a class setup where the teacher is of white origin angrily engaging children of black origin. The image depicts racial discrimination behind America’s imperial action. The white students are noticed to freely engage in the learning activity while the black children are faced with harsh treatment from the teacher. A background image of a black person cleaning the windows shows that the blacks were only given casual jobs while the whites took the leading role in jobs acquisition. Racial discrimination was thus at its peak during the imperialism period in America.
Works Cited
Crashcourse. “American Imperialism: Crash Course US History #28.” 05 September 2013. YouTube.02 July 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfsfoFqsFk4
Oakes, James. Of the People: A History of the United States. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010. Print.
