Chester Alan Arthur's Policies And Political Thought Research At Home And Abroad

Chester Allen Arthur, one of the American Presidents who belonged to therepublican members of the radicals, was not the most superficial qualifications inpolitics. After James·Abraham·Garfield ,one of the moderate member ,waselected the republican candidate, in order to appease the radicals and make aconcession, Arthur was elected as the republican vice presidential candidate. Hebecame Garfield running mate and succeeded in national elections, and took over thepresient position after Garfield was assassinated. After taking office, Arthur’sdomestic and foreign policy let radicals be disappointed. In the early days of thepolitical life, Arthur showed he’s a maestro of the spoils system, so people doubted, hewould oppose any attempt to change the spoils system that gave him a lot of good.However, Arthur’s reform made people sit up and take notice after taking office, madehim have widespread supports. Arthur was a reformer of the famous gilded age,contemporary people called him the society’s "pacifier". Arthur’s series of reform andpractice had the significant influence in the future of the United States. Through theresearch of Arthur, this article mainly sums up Arthur’s thought and state measures,hoping to gain some simple evaluation about his merits. The article is divided intofour chapters.The first chapter includes two problems. Firstly, introducing Arthur’s lifeperformance. Through the analysis of his life track, it proves that Arthur was asuccess man. Secondly, it mainly introduces two important factors influencing hispolitical officials: Robert Conklin and "The death of Garfield". Robert Conklin wasthe necessary factor according to his successful and "The death of Garfield" washistoric opportunity.The second chapter mainly introduces his internal affairs and diplomatic policy.In the transform period of the United States, social situation is not optimistic.Arthur’s policy has a theme of reform. He reformed all aspects of the country, especially the civilian system reform and the navy reform. He was the realpractitioner of the United States social reform in the gilded age.The third chapter introduces his Political thought. Throughout all of his politicalthought, there was a principle in Arthur’s mind from beginning to the end: he workedhard for the development of the country. Whether believe in federalism or supportcivil servant system reform，Arthur never changed the principle of the nationalinterest first. That was the main reason he abolished the spoils system and carried outthe civilian system reform.The fourth chapter is the comprehensive appraisal. Firstly, through the analysisof his life, political thought and the domestic and foreign policies, this aticle willgive him a complete evaluation. But also points out his practice deficiencies, He hasbeen under a people’s suspicions. Finally, through the analysis of Arthur’s merits andfaults, it will evaluate his effects to national development on the whole.