Why did political leaders emphasize economic issues from 1880-1890?

Answer 1

Now an answer from a historian:

1. The silver-gold issue was THE hot topic in America at this time and of course politicians spoke of it at great length.

2. Following Reconstruction America entered into a period of massive growth and extensive building. Economic issues were on everyone's mind.

3. Tariffs were again starting to increase and the farmers in the west and the investors in the east could not agree on the best course of action the country should take

4. America was beginning to embark on an era of overseas expansion (imperialism) and the topic of duty free sugar from Cuba and Hawaii were very hot topics.


And there you have it.

Answer 2

a) because foreign policy issues were not very significant or pressing
b) because social issues could have been too dangerous, especially dividing north and south on race-related issues
c) because this was a period of growing but unequally distributed wealth

Answer 3

a strong economy generates money and money generates power and with power you can tell other nations what to do and what not to do , in Europe the strongest economies at that time were the same nations that initially were involved in WWI some years later .