Dingley Act
Encyclopedia
The Dingley Act of 1897 (ch. 11, , July 24, 1897), introduced by U.S. Representative Nelson Dingley, Jr.
of Maine
, raised tariffs in United States
to counteract the Wilson–Gorman Tariff Act of 1894, which had lowered rates.
Following the election of 1896
, McKinley followed through with his promises for protectionism. Congress imposed duties on wool and hides which had been duty-free since 1872. Rates were increased on wool
ens, linen
s, silk
s, China
, and sugar
(the tax rates for which doubled). The Dingley Tariff remained in effect for twelve years making it the longest-lived tariff in U.S. history. It was also the highest in U.S. history averaging about 52% in its first year of operation. Over the life of the tariff, the rate averaged at around 47%.
The Dingley Act remained in effect until the Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act
of 1909.
Nelson Dingley, Jr.
Nelson Dingley, Jr., also known as Edward Nelson Dingley, Jr., was a journalist and politician from the U.S. state of Maine....
of Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, raised tariffs in United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to counteract the Wilson–Gorman Tariff Act of 1894, which had lowered rates.
Following the election of 1896
United States presidential election, 1896
The United States presidential election held on November 3, 1896, saw Republican William McKinley defeat Democrat William Jennings Bryan in a campaign considered by political scientists to be one of the most dramatic and complex in American history....
, McKinley followed through with his promises for protectionism. Congress imposed duties on wool and hides which had been duty-free since 1872. Rates were increased on wool
Wool
Wool is the textile fiber obtained from sheep and certain other animals, including cashmere from goats, mohair from goats, qiviut from muskoxen, vicuña, alpaca, camel from animals in the camel family, and angora from rabbits....
ens, linen
Linen
Linen is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant, Linum usitatissimum. Linen is labor-intensive to manufacture, but when it is made into garments, it is valued for its exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather....
s, silk
Silk
Silk is a natural protein fiber, some forms of which can be woven into textiles. The best-known type of silk is obtained from the cocoons of the larvae of the mulberry silkworm Bombyx mori reared in captivity...
s, China
Porcelain
Porcelain is a ceramic material made by heating raw materials, generally including clay in the form of kaolin, in a kiln to temperatures between and...
, and sugar
Sugar
Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...
(the tax rates for which doubled). The Dingley Tariff remained in effect for twelve years making it the longest-lived tariff in U.S. history. It was also the highest in U.S. history averaging about 52% in its first year of operation. Over the life of the tariff, the rate averaged at around 47%.
The Dingley Act remained in effect until the Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act
Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act
The Payne-Aldrich Tariff Act of 1909 , named for Representative Sereno E. Payne and Senator Nelson W. Aldrich , began in the United States House of Representatives as a bill lowering certain tariffs on goods entering the United States. It was the first change in tariff laws since the Dingley Act...
of 1909.
Further reading
- F. W. Taussig. "The Tariff Act of 1897" Quarterly Journal of Economics Vol. 12, No. 1 (Oct., 1897), pp. 42-69 in JSTOR