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History

Americans suffered many economic, social, and political problems in the post-Civil War era. I have identified one of each of these types of problems that I believe were among the most important during the period of 1865-1900. The economic issue that I believe had one of the biggest impacts on Americans at the time is the Great Railroad Strike of 1877. The social issue that I feel greatly affected America after the Civil War is Chinese immigration. One of the biggest political issues, to me, is the Populist Party.
I feel that the Great Railroad Strike of 1887 was a major issue because it made Americans realize just how deeply Americans were invested in the railroads. At the time, the biggest investment banking firm in America, Jay Cooke and Company, was pouring a disproportionate amount of depositors’ funds into the railroads. When Cooke’s firm failed, a big portion of the country was thrown into a frenzy; but the most effected were the railroads, in the way of 10% wage cuts, distrust of capitalists and poor working conditions. The railroads’ shortcomings went far from unnoticed by the workers, leading to many strikes, which prevented many trains from moving. Trains were the main means of shipping almost any goods, which meant that anything needed to be shipped either arrived late and in smaller quantities, or was never received at all. The government soon became frustrated and sent in militia units to restore order, but the men refused to use force against the workers. Then the governors sent out regiments of the National Guard, who were attacked by citizens as they marched down the roads. These riots caused several deaths and more injuries. After over a month of consistent rioting the president, Rutherford B. Hayes, sent in federal troops to end the whole ordeal. Before those troops could reach the riots, citizens in Pennsylvania had attacked the militiamen and set fire to much of the Center City. The strike lasted all of 45 days, and became to lose steam and...