TARIFFS: CHESTER ARTHUR TAKES AIM AT TARIFFS
From My History Can Beat Up Your Politics by Bruce Carlson
July 20, 2026 · 18 min
About this episode
The episode discusses Chester Arthur's efforts to reform tariffs during his presidency and its implications for the Republican Party.
Many know of President Arthur's work on civil service reform. Less known is that he also sought to change his party's position on the use of tariffs. He had been a customs official, the nation's highest. In that job he learned to work with businessmen and merchants. When he became President, he turned his attetnion on the high taxes on imports of his day. As a 19th century Republican this was near heresy. His effort was only partially successful, but it would stoke discussion on tariff reform for the next half century. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
People in this episode
Host: Bruce Carlson
Topics covered
- tariffs
- Chester Arthur
- civil service reform
- 19th century politics
- Republican Party
- economic policy
Keywords
- Chester Arthur
- tariffs
- civil service reform
- Republican Party
- 19th century
- economic policy
- import taxes
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Republican Party
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