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Position:Home>History> Somebody help me!?Question: Somebody help me!!? I need to know about Benjamin Harrison (our 23rd president!?) I need to know about his accomplishments as a president and what he did afetr being president and then about his death! And it's ok if you can only give me info about his accomplishments as a president i need that the most! Thanks you!Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: He directed a reformulation of the Monroe Doctrine that was to end American isolationism and set the stage for future territorial and trade expansion!. The grandson of President William Henry Harrison, he grew up on his father farm on the banks of the Ohio River!. After graduating from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, he took a law clerkship in Indianapolis!. He soon became involved in the newly formed Republican party, serving as secretary to the state convention and as a popular campaign speaker!. During the American Civil War, Harrison helped raise Indiana 70th Infantry and became its commander!. He was promoted to brigadier general after serving with distinction in the Atlanta campaign!. When peace came, he returned to his law practice in Indianapolis and resumed activities in the Republican party!. Defeated in a bid for the governorship of Indiana in 1876, he served in the U!.S!. Senate from 1881 to 1887!. Harrison as President In 1888 party factionalism prevented the nomination of the leading presidential contender, James G!. Blaine, and Harrison, a dark horse, won the Republican party nomination for the presidency!. Harrison defeated the incumbent, Grover Cleveland, on a platform of protectionism!. As president, however, Harrison was never a charismatic leader, nor was he able to negotiate alliances with Congress to obtain support for his policies!. His isolation from Congress promoted further charges of coldness (cold as ice had been a description of his gubernatorial candidacy) and lost him the support of many party members!. He continued the civil service reforms of his predecessors, but at a moderate pace, alienating both those Republicans who were looking for spoils and those urging more rapid reform!. Moreover, although he had campaigned on a platform of liberalizing veterans' pensions, he was forced to remove his own commissioner of pensions for lavishly and scandalously distributing awards!. Harrison experienced difficulty in maintaining a stable national economy!. The Bland-Allison Act of 1878 required the treasury to buy $2 million of silver for coinage each month!. As the market value of silver fell, the president sought to limit coinage!. Advocates of free coinage forced a compromise bill, the Sherman Silver Purchase Act (1890), which required the government to buy more silver but limited coinage!. The increased purchase drained gold from the reserves, and Harrison twice had to avert panic by releasing more currency!. Harrison had campaigned on a platform of increasing protectionist tariffs!. Although the public supported increased tariffs at the time of the election, the effect of the McKinley Act (1890) was to contribute to inflationary prices for necessities, and protectionist tariffs ultimately became unpopular!. Harrison admitted several new states to the Union during his term!. He increased the size of the merchant marine to facilitate expanded trade and of the navy to protect commercial interests abroad!. The first Pan-American Conference, held during his administration, created new commercial and diplomatic ties between the U!.S!. and independent republics in Latin America!. Later Career A loyal Republican, Harrison continued to serve as his party spokesman after his defeat by Grover Cleveland in 1892!. He resumed his law practice, taking on the international dispute between Venezuela and England over boundaries and earning respect for his legal expertise!. He also wrote several addresses and articles on governmental affairs that were well received and widely read!. He died a respected elder statesman!.Www@QuestionHome@Com Harrison was what is called "a minority President!." That means he was elected but received fewer votes than his opponent, Grover Cleveland!. Harrison did not try and control the "Billion Dollar Congress" during his administration!. Appropriations for Civil War pensions, transportation subsides, naval construction, and pork barrel spending were examples of Congress spending!. Highlights of his administration were the Sherman Silver Purchase Act, the McKinley tariff, and an aggressive foreign policy!.Www@QuestionHome@Com http://www!.whitehouse!.gov/history/presid!.!.!. http://www!.infoplease!.com/ipa/A0760608!.h!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com |