The Gilded Age The term "Gilded Age“ coined by Mark Twain and Charles Dudley in their 1873 novel The Gilded Age: A Tale of Today. It refers to the decades between the end of Reconstruction and the turn of the century (about 1877 to 1900). The main themes: political corruption and scandal (all levels) Patronage Republicans and Democrats with similar platforms (and weak presidential leadership) Tariff, currency, reform laissez-faire versus government expansion in the economy(rise of economic titans/robber barons like John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie) Racial and ethnic minorities struggle for acceptance (African-Americans; Chinese; southern and eastern Europeans)

1872 Election In response to excessive corruption, a 3rd Party, the Liberal Republicans emerge “Turn the Rascals Out” (reform/purification) End military Reconstruction (remember, Compromise of 1877 yet to take place) Horace Greeley = interesting choice Democrats = interesting decision

Politics in the Gilded Age General characteristics: Republican electorate/areas of support Midwest and rural northeast African-Americans Civil War veterans Democratic electorate/areas of support “Solid South” and northern industrial cities (with large number of immigrant workers)

Electoral Maps 1876 1880 1884 Republican = Red Democrat = Blue

Address the following prompt Address the following prompt. Use your text through page 501 for evidence “The Gilded Age was the worst representation of American democracy since the foundation of the republic.” Support, refute, or modify this statement.

Politics in the Gilded Age (cont.) General characteristics (continued): Campaigning: “waving the bloody shirt” Presidents of the Era called the “forgettables” Republicans and Democrats with similar stances on most issues throughout most of the Gilded Age (tariff, monetary policy, governmental reform) Massive participation: ~ 80% voter turnout rate! Patronage (spoils system) one of the reasons for massive participation…and also an area of government reform during the Gilded Age Hostility toward racial and ethnic minorities (African-Americans, Chinese immigrants, “New” immigrants from southern and eastern Europe).