The 21st President of the United States was Chester A. Arthur, who served from 1881 to 1885. Arthur was a member of the Republican Party and became president after the assassination of President James A. Garfield. Prior to his presidency, Arthur served as the 20th Vice President of the United States under Garfield. He is known for his unexpected rise to the presidency and his efforts to reform the civil service system.
Early Life and Career
Chester A. Arthur was born on October 5, 1829, in Fairfield, Vermont. He graduated from Union College in 1848 and went on to study law in New York City. Arthur became a lawyer and eventually entered politics, serving as the quartermaster general of the New York State Militia during the American Civil War. After the war, he became involved in Republican Party politics and was appointed as the customs collector for the Port of New York, a position he held until 1878.
Rise to the Presidency
In 1880, Arthur was chosen by President Rutherford B. Hayes as his running mate in the presidential election. However, Hayes did not seek re-election, and Arthur was instead chosen as the running mate for James A. Garfield. Garfield won the election, but his presidency was cut short when he was assassinated on September 19, 1881. Arthur became the 21st President of the United States, taking the oath of office on September 20, 1881.
Arthur's presidency was marked by his efforts to reform the civil service system, which had become plagued by corruption and patronage. He signed the Pendleton Civil Service Act in 1883, which established a merit-based system for hiring and promoting government employees. Arthur also supported education and infrastructure development, and he vetoed a bill that would have provided funding for the Texas Pacific Railroad.
| Presidential Term | Dates |
|---|---|
| Chester A. Arthur | September 20, 1881 – March 4, 1885 |
Foreign Policy and Domestic Issues
During his presidency, Arthur faced several foreign policy challenges, including a dispute with Canada over fishing rights and a confrontation with Germany over trade agreements. He also had to deal with domestic issues, such as the rise of labor unions and the growing demand for women’s suffrage. Arthur supported the creation of a federal education commission and advocated for the establishment of a national university.
Economic Policy
Arthur’s economic policy was focused on reducing the national debt and promoting economic growth. He supported the creation of a tariff commission to regulate trade and signed the Tariff Act of 1883, which lowered tariffs on certain goods. Arthur also vetoed a bill that would have provided funding for the Texas Pacific Railroad, citing concerns about the project’s financial viability.
Arthur's presidency was also marked by his support for the arts and culture. He was a patron of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and supported the creation of a national gallery of art. Arthur also advocated for the preservation of historic sites and landmarks, and he supported the creation of a national park system.
- Supported the creation of a federal education commission
- Advocated for the establishment of a national university
- Supported the creation of a tariff commission to regulate trade
- Signed the Tariff Act of 1883, which lowered tariffs on certain goods
Who was the 21st President of the United States?
+Chester A. Arthur was the 21st President of the United States, serving from 1881 to 1885.
What was the significance of the Pendleton Civil Service Act?
+The Pendleton Civil Service Act established a merit-based system for hiring and promoting government employees, reducing corruption and patronage in the civil service system.
What were some of the notable domestic issues during Arthur’s presidency?
+Some of the notable domestic issues during Arthur’s presidency included the rise of labor unions, the growing demand for women’s suffrage, and the need for education and infrastructure development.
