History of the United States II / Unit 5 USH2 0605 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Stalwarts and Half-Breeds
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The idea
The Republican Party split into two factions: Stalwarts, led by Roscoe Conkling of New York, and Half-Breeds, led by James G. Blaine of Maine.
In practice
One faction defending the spoils system, the other favouring modest civil service reform.
Where people slip
The two are often run together because both were Republican. The issue that divided them was patronage.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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