History of Benjamin Harrison

Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd President of the United States, served from 1889 to 1893. Known for his strong leadership and legislative effectiveness, Harrison's political career was marked by significant accomplishments as well as challenges. Born on August 20, 1833, in North Bend, Ohio, Harrison was the grandson of William Henry Harrison, the ninth president of the United States. This familial connection to the presidency laid an early foundation for his political ambitions.

Harrison graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in 1852, where he received a classical education. He went on to study law in Cincinnati before moving to Indianapolis, Indiana, where he built a successful legal practice. Harrison's entry into politics came through his involvement with the Republican Party, which was still relatively new at the time, having been founded in the 1850s on an anti-slavery platform. During the Civil War, Harrison raised a regiment, the 70th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served as its colonel, demonstrating his commitment to the Union cause.

After the war, Harrison returned to Indiana, where he continued his legal career and deepened his involvement in Republican politics. His reputation as a competent and loyal Republican led to his election as the reporter of the Indiana Supreme Court, a position he held from 1865 to 1869. In 1876, Harrison ran unsuccessfully for the governorship of Indiana but gained national attention within the Republican Party.

Harrison's political trajectory took a significant leap forward in 1881 when he was elected to the United States Senate. As a senator, Harrison was known for his advocacy of civil service reform and his support for high protective tariffs, a key issue for the Republican Party and industrial interests of the North. His tenure in the Senate established him as a leading voice in national Republican politics and a staunch defender of industrial capitalism and the gold standard, which he believed were essential to national prosperity.

In 1888, Harrison was nominated as the Republican candidate for president. The election was fiercely contested, with the incumbent president, Grover Cleveland, running for re-election. The campaign was notable for its focus on tariffs. Harrison argued for protective tariffs to safeguard American industry, while Cleveland advocated for tariff reduction. The election results were contentious; although Cleveland won the popular vote, Harrison secured a majority in the Electoral College, thus winning the presidency.

Harrison's presidency was characterized by significant legislative accomplishments. One of his hallmark achievements was the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at curbing monopolistic business practices. This act marked the first attempt by the federal government to regulate large corporations and maintain competitive markets, laying the groundwork for future antitrust policies.

Harrison also signed the McKinley Tariff into law, which raised duties on foreign goods to protect domestic industries. This move was controversial, benefiting industrialists and manufacturers in the North but raising consumer prices, which added to the economic hardships for other segments of the population. Furthermore, the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890 was enacted under his administration, which increased the amount of silver the government was required to purchase, a measure aimed at boosting the economy but contributing to the Panic of 1893.

In terms of foreign policy, Harrison's administration undertook an assertive approach. Harrison sought to expand American influence and markets abroad, reflecting the beginning of the United States' turn toward imperialism. Notably, during his presidency, the first Pan-American Conference was held in 1889, aiming to improve relations and cooperation among the nations of the Americas.

Additionally, Harrison was an advocate of national conservation efforts, signing legislation that established several national parks and expanding forest preserves. He was also active in veterans’ affairs, supporting legislation to provide pensions for Civil War veterans.

Despite these achievements, Harrison's presidency faced challenges. The economic difficulties exacerbated by the high tariffs, along with labor unrest, such as the Homestead Strike of 1892, caused dissatisfaction among the working class. These issues, coupled with infighting within the Republican Party and the perceived high cost of his re-election campaign, led to his defeat in the 1892 presidential election, where Grover Cleveland returned to office.

After leaving the presidency, Harrison returned to Indianapolis, resuming his legal career. He remained active in public life, giving speeches and writing on various political issues. In 1898, he argued before the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague in the landmark territorial dispute between Venezuela and the United Kingdom, demonstrating his continued commitment to international law and diplomacy.

Harrison passed away on March 13, 1901, but his legacy as a president who navigated complex domestic and international issues endures. His administration's policies and actions were foundational in shaping the modern American state, particularly in terms of antitrust regulations, tariff policy, and foreign affairs. Harrison's presidency, therefore, occupies a critical place in the transitional period of American history at the end of the 19th century, amidst the social and economic transformations that were reshaping the nation.