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The 'McKinley Tariff' of 1890 was what set the average ''ad valorem'' tariff rate for imports to the United States at 48.4%, and protected agriculture. Its chief proponent was Congressman and future President William McKinley.
In return for its passage, the Sherman Silver Purchase Act was given Republican support. It raised the prices in the United States under Benjamin Harrison, which may have cost him his presidency in the next elections.
The tariff was detrimental to the American farmers who were already greatly in debt. Not only did the tariff drive up the prices of farm equipment, it also failed to halt sliding agricultural prices.
The following agrarian resentment would give rise to the Free Silver movement and the Populist Party.