natostratcon.info – Benjamin Harrison, the 23rd President of the United States, is often overshadowed by his more famous predecessors and successors, such as Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. Harrison’s presidency (1889–1893), during the transitional period of the Gilded Age, has sometimes been underappreciated in the annals of American history. However, his administration witnessed several significant achievements, many of which have not been adequately recognized. Although Harrison was only in office for a single term, his leadership played an essential role in shaping the economic, political, and social fabric of the United States.
This article delves into the unseen achievements of Benjamin Harrison’s administration, examining his contributions to domestic policy, economic reform, civil rights, and foreign affairs. These accomplishments, while less visible to the casual observer, demonstrate Harrison’s impact on modernizing the country and setting the stage for the United States’ future as a global power.
A Champion of Economic Reform
The McKinley Tariff of 1890
One of the most important and contentious pieces of legislation during Benjamin Harrison’s presidency was the McKinley Tariff of 1890, named after Congressman William McKinley, who would later become the 25th president. This tariff was designed to protect American industries by raising import duties to historically high levels. Under the McKinley Tariff, average duties on imports rose to almost 50%, giving American manufacturers protection from foreign competition and boosting domestic industries.
Although the McKinley Tariff was initially unpopular with many Americans because it caused a rise in consumer prices, it was a significant achievement for Harrison’s administration. It reflected the Republican Party’s commitment to economic protectionism, ensuring that the rapidly growing industrial economy remained competitive. The tariff also marked a pivotal moment in U.S. trade policy, as it underscored the country’s commitment to fostering industrial growth.
The Dependent and Disability Pension Act
A lesser-known but highly impactful piece of legislation championed by Harrison was the Dependent and Disability Pension Act of 1890. This law expanded pensions to Union Army veterans who had been disabled during the Civil War, as well as to their widows and dependent children. Harrison, who had himself served as a brigadier general in the Union Army, believed strongly in supporting veterans, and the law dramatically increased the number of people eligible for government pensions.
By the end of Harrison’s presidency, the federal budget had grown significantly due to the increased pension payouts, but this expansion of veterans’ benefits reflected a moral commitment to caring for those who had sacrificed for the country. Harrison’s administration became the first to oversee a billion-dollar federal budget, much of which was allocated to veterans’ pensions. The law was a precursor to the modern welfare state and social safety net programs that the United States would later adopt, highlighting Harrison’s influence in this area.
A Commitment to Civil Rights and Racial Equality
Harrison’s Advocacy for African American Rights
While civil rights were not at the forefront of national politics during Harrison’s presidency, his administration quietly pursued meaningful reforms aimed at promoting racial equality, particularly for African Americans in the South. Harrison was deeply concerned about the rising tide of Jim Crow laws, voter suppression, and racial violence that were sweeping across the South after the end of Reconstruction. He believed in the protection of African American civil rights and sought to use the power of the federal government to safeguard these rights.
The Federal Elections Bill of 1890
One of the most notable (though ultimately unsuccessful) initiatives pursued by Harrison was the Federal Elections Bill of 1890, often referred to as the Lodge Bill, after its sponsor, Representative Henry Cabot Lodge. The bill was designed to protect the voting rights of African Americans in the South, where discriminatory practices like literacy tests, poll taxes, and outright violence were used to disenfranchise Black voters.
The Federal Elections Bill would have provided federal oversight of elections in states where voting rights were being systematically denied. It would have allowed federal officials to intervene in cases of voter suppression and ensure that elections were conducted fairly. Unfortunately, despite Harrison’s strong support for the bill, it was defeated in the Senate by a combination of Southern Democrats and moderate Republicans.
Although the bill’s failure was a significant setback for civil rights, Harrison’s advocacy for African American voting rights demonstrated his commitment to racial equality at a time when such views were far from popular. His efforts laid the groundwork for future civil rights movements and underscored the federal government’s role in protecting individual liberties.
Support for Native American Rights
In addition to his advocacy for African American rights, Harrison’s administration made strides in improving the treatment of Native Americans. Harrison’s presidency saw the implementation of the Dawes Act (1887), a policy aimed at assimilating Native Americans by breaking up tribal lands and encouraging individual land ownership. While the Dawes Act had been enacted before Harrison took office, his administration worked to expand its reach and implement reforms intended to benefit Native Americans.
Harrison appointed Thomas Jefferson Morgan as Commissioner of Indian Affairs, a reformer who sought to protect Native American lands from further encroachment by settlers and to improve the education of Native children. Although the overall impact of the Dawes Act remains controversial, with many Native Americans losing their land, Harrison’s administration attempted to balance the demands of settlers and reformers while seeking to protect Native American rights.
Modernizing the American Navy and Strengthening National Defense
The Expansion of the U.S. Navy
One of Benjamin Harrison’s most significant but often overlooked achievements was his commitment to modernizing and expanding the United States Navy. When Harrison took office, the U.S. Navy was in a state of decline, with an outdated fleet that lagged behind the naval forces of European powers. Recognizing the strategic importance of a strong naval force, especially in an era of increasing international competition, Harrison set out to rebuild the Navy.
Harrison’s administration oversaw the construction of new steel warships, known as the “New Navy”, which were equipped with advanced weaponry and armor. These modern ships, including the famous USS Maine, would later play a critical role in projecting American power overseas, particularly during the Spanish-American War in 1898. Harrison’s efforts to modernize the Navy also reflected his broader vision of expanding U.S. influence beyond its borders, particularly in the Pacific and Caribbean.
By the end of Harrison’s presidency, the U.S. Navy had transformed from a largely obsolete force into a modern, powerful fleet capable of competing with European navies. This naval expansion would prove essential as the United States increasingly sought to assert its influence on the global stage in the coming decades.
Strengthening Coastal Defenses
In addition to naval expansion, Harrison’s administration also focused on improving the country’s coastal defenses. As industrialization made U.S. cities and ports more economically vital, there was a growing recognition that these areas needed to be better protected from potential foreign threats. The construction of modern fortifications and the installation of new artillery along key coastal areas were part of Harrison’s efforts to safeguard the nation’s economic and military infrastructure.
Expanding U.S. Territories and Diplomacy
Pursuing Territorial Expansion
Harrison’s presidency played a pivotal role in the expansion of U.S. territories, particularly in the Pacific. One of the most notable territorial initiatives during his administration was the attempted annexation of Hawaii. The Hawaiian Islands had long been of interest to the United States due to their strategic location in the Pacific Ocean, making them an ideal location for trade and naval operations.
In 1893, a group of American settlers and business leaders overthrew Queen Liliuokalani of Hawaii, with the tacit support of the U.S. government. The new provisional government quickly requested annexation by the United States, and Harrison submitted an annexation treaty to the Senate. Although the treaty was ultimately withdrawn by his successor, Grover Cleveland, the groundwork for Hawaii’s eventual annexation in 1898 was laid during Harrison’s presidency.
Harrison’s administration also worked to strengthen U.S. influence in Latin America and the Caribbean. He pursued negotiations for the construction of a canal through Central America (which would eventually lead to the Panama Canal), and his administration sought to establish coaling stations and naval bases in key areas of the Pacific and Caribbean. Harrison’s policies reflected a growing recognition that the United States needed to expand its presence beyond the North American continent to compete in the increasingly globalized world.
Diplomatic Achievements
Harrison’s administration was also notable for its diplomatic accomplishments, particularly in fostering better relations with Latin America. His administration organized the First International Conference of American States in Washington, D.C., in 1889. The conference, which included representatives from nations across the Americas, sought to promote economic cooperation and resolve regional disputes through diplomacy.
Although the conference did not immediately produce major policy changes, it marked an important step in the development of Pan-Americanism—the idea of closer cooperation between the nations of the Western Hemisphere. This vision of hemispheric unity would later become a key component of U.S. foreign policy in the 20th century, particularly under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Good Neighbor Policy.
Reforming Government Practices and Strengthening Federal Institutions
The Civil Service Reform Movement
Another important yet often overlooked achievement of Benjamin Harrison’s presidency was his commitment to civil service reform. Harrison was a proponent of the Pendleton Civil Service Act, which had been enacted in 1883 to curb the practice of political patronage and ensure that government jobs were awarded based on merit rather than political connections.
Harrison’s administration worked to expand the number of government positions covered by civil service regulations, ensuring that more government employees were hired based on merit and performance. This effort helped professionalize the federal workforce and reduce corruption, contributing to the long-term effectiveness of federal institutions.
Expanding Federal Protections for Workers
Harrison’s administration also made strides in improving conditions for American workers. His support for the Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) is perhaps the most notable example of his administration’s commitment to curbing the power of large corporations and monopolies. The act, which remains in effect today, was the first federal law designed to promote fair competition and prevent businesses from engaging in monopolistic practices. Although it would take decades for the law to be fully enforced, Harrison’s support for the Sherman Antitrust Act laid the foundation for future efforts to regulate corporate power and protect consumers.
Conclusion
While Benjamin Harrison’s presidency is often overshadowed by more famous historical figures, his administration made several unseen yet significant contributions to the development of the United States. From economic reform and civil rights advocacy to naval expansion and territorial acquisition, Harrison’s leadership helped shape the country’s trajectory in the late 19th century and beyond.
Harrison’s commitment to modernizing the economy, protecting civil liberties, and expanding U.S. influence abroad reflected a forward-thinking vision of American progress. His presidency laid the groundwork for many of the policies and initiatives that would define the United States as a global power in the 20th century. Though his achievements may not always be immediately visible, Benjamin Harrison’s legacy remains an important part of the fabric of American history.