[VIDEO] Grover Cleveland – 24th President of the United States of America

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Grover Cleveland
24th President – Term: 1893-1897

Grover Cleveland – 24th President of the United States of America

Learn more about the 24th President of the United States, Grover Cleveland. This video quickly covers his background, rise to the presidency, and little-discussed facts about the Commander in Chief.

Transcription:

 Grover Cleveland’s re-election to a second, non-consecutive term was remarkable in American politics. Despite losing the White House in 1888, a year in which he won the popular vote, Cleveland’s reputation for honesty and fiscal conservatism resonated with the public during the economic hardships of the early 1890s, leading to his unprecedented return to power. 

When voters returned to the polls in 1892, dissatisfaction with the incumbent Benjamin Harrison’s economic policies and the high McKinley Tariff led many to seek a return to Cleveland’s more conservative fiscal approach. His stance against corruption and patronage also continued to appeal to voters disillusioned with the Harrison administration’s perceived cronyism and excesses, paving the way for Cleveland’s historic comeback.

Cleveland’s second term was a period of significant economic turmoil, notably marked by the Panic of 1893, one of the most severe depressions in American history. His unwavering support for the gold standard and opposition to the free silver movement divided his party and exacerbated the economic crisis. His administration also had to contend with the Pullman Strike, which he addressed by deploying federal troops, a decision that was met with both criticism and support.

Cleveland underwent a secretive surgery on a yacht to remove a cancerous tumor from his mouth, an operation so clandestine that the public was unaware of its occurrence until decades later. This incident highlights Cleveland’s preference for dealing with personal and political matters with utmost privacy, reflecting his complex relationship with public perception and media.