US History/Geography Chapter 6 Section 3 The Gilded Age US History/Geography Chapter 6 Section 3

Social Darwinism The “Gilded Age” Name came from book by Mark Twain and Charles Warner for era from 1870-1900 Lots of jobs, new inventions and wealthy business owners BUT Gilded can mean just covered with gold…not gold all the way through While many good things also a lot of corruption

Social Darwinism “Individualism” “Social Darwinism” No matter how humble origins, can rise in society and go as far as talents and commitment take them. Big idea…. Lots of people agreed including Horatio Alger who wrote over 100 rags to riches stories “Social Darwinism” “survival of the fittest” – based on Darwin’s theory of evolution Went in hand with the idea of laissez-faire… only the fittest would gain wealth and be successful No matter how many obstacles faced success is possible….still big idea today Social Darinism not popular with church…opposed the bible

Social Darwinism “Gospel of Wealth” Andrew Carnegie Softer version of survival of fittest Believed Wealthy should start “philanthropies” Money to start programs that will help people help themselves Better to build a hospital than give handouts

A Changing Culture REALISM movement began in 1800s In writing /paintings try to portray world in a realistic way Best known realist author “Mark Twain” Wrote “The Adventures of Huckleberry Fin” Real name Samuel Clemens Novel was a more accurate depiction of American life…everyone clearly American

A Changing Culture Popular Culture The Saloon Industrialization improved living standards… more time for fun activities (“going out”) The Saloon Were more saloons then groceries and other stores. Place of social gathering for MALE workers Drinks, free toilets, water for horses and free newspapers Also big political centers

A Changing Culture Amusement Parks and Sports Working families and singles like amusement parks b/c cheap…. Example: Coney Island Watching professional sports more popular Work less strenuous so many started playing sports like tennis for physical exercise

A Changing Culture Vaudeville and Ragtime Adapted from French theatre Mix of animal acts, acrobats and dancers… went on all day and all night Ragtime music also fast paced with rythems Famous Ragtime composer Scott Joplin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMAtL7n_-rc

Politics in Washington Spoils of Office Government jobs given to supporters when won election (Patronage) 1880 Pres. Garfield didn’t believe in practice so did not give out any. Was assassinated by a man who thought that he deserved a spoil of office and thought Vice President Arthur would give him one

Politics in Washington Civil Service Reform Garfield death = need for political reform…no more patronage! Pres. Hayes tried to reform in 1877 by firing people with jobs through spoils Divided Republican party into 2 parts “Stalwart” – those who supported patronage “Halfbreeds” – those who opposed patronage 1883 Pendleton Act No more spoil system…. Assignation really changed American thought of spoils system… passed Pendleton Act = required some gov’t jobs be filled by people who passed written exam (or who were qualified). Started trend of more and more gov’t workers having to be qualified…not just a supporter

Politics in Washington Election of 1884 Democrats nominate Cleveland for Pres. Republican’s who supported him and not republican candidate called “Mugwumps” Thought Cleveland would not give out Spoils! With those supports Cleveland won election Didn’t fully end Spoils but didn’t fully support them either!

Politics in Washington Interstate Commerce Commission Concerned with power of large corporations Corporations like Standard oil could get rebates and lower rates because of volume of goods they shipped Small corporations had to pay more because didn’t ship as much stuff Gov’t Didn’t move fast to fix b/c believed gov’t shouldn’t interfere with companies private property Some states had rules but Supreme court cases over ruled Ruled states could not regulate railroad rates between states only federal gov’t could do that

Politics in Washington Interstate Commerce Commission Gov’t had to act 1887 with Interstate Commerce Act Created ICC (interstate commerce commission) 1st federal law to regulate commerce Commission was not effective Debating Tariffs Democrats wanted tariffs cut Made sense after Civil War but no need for it now in 1880s High US tariffs made other countries respond with high tariffs which hurt farmers 1887 Cleveland proposed tariff reduction Passed in house but rejected in senate Major issue in 1888 election Debating Tariffs … didn’t need them because big companies now able to compete internationally Farmers had hard time exporting their surplus with high tarrifs

Politics in Washington Republicans Regain Power One of the closest elections (1888) in history Harrison (republican) won the electoral vote but NOT popular vote The McKinley Tariff Republicans controlled congress and white house 1890 William McKinley wrote tariff bill the passed Cut taxes on tobacco and sugar Raised rates on other goods like textiles Meant to help against foreign competition but just raised price of all goods Angered Americans and may have helped contribute to Harrison’s defeat in 1892

Politics in Washington The Sherman Antitrust Act Congress response to American dislike of large business power Passed in 1890, “prohibited any combination or conspiracy in restraint of trade or commerce among several states” Weak b/c Vaguely worded Poorly enforced Judicial interpretation of law Example: Supreme court ruled law didn’t apply to manufacturing… not interstate commerce

The Rebirth of Reform Industrialization and Urbanization triggered debate on how to solve society problems Individualism vs. gov’t intervention Gov’t began to take more active role in helping those in need Challenging Social Darwinism People like journalist Henry George believed that laissez-faire and Darwinism made society worse not better Bigger gulf between rich and poor… People at time believed this and encouraged reformers to change society But reality is while was a gulf…standard of living overall improved

The Rebirth of Reform Lester Frank Ward 1883 published Dynamic Sociology Stated Humans different from Animals Not survival of fittest, but succeed because of ability to cooperate with each other So Gov’t should get involved more Lester : Gov’t regulate economy, cure poverty, promote comepetion better than market place

The Rebirth of Reform Looking Backward Published 1888 by Edward Bellamy Novel where man falls asleep 1887 wakes up in 2000 to a perfect society No Crime No poverty No politics Gov’t owns everything and shares wealth equally with all

The Rebirth of Reform Helping the Urban Poor “The Social Gospel” Reformers found new ways to help Urban poor… started many new organizations “The Social Gospel” Worked to better conditions in cities according to biblical ideas of charity and justice Inspired Churches to start taking on new roles in community Gyms, social programs, child care Helping Poor

The Rebirth of Reform The Salvation Army and the YMCA Combine faith and reform SA: Provided religious counseling and practical aid YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association): organized bible studies Citizenship training Group activities Libraries Gymnasiums, Auditoriums Low cost hotel rooms

The Rebirth of Reform “The Settlement House Movement” Began as part of Social Gospel Reformers (college education women mostly) established houses in poor/immigrant neighborhoods Community center… offered Medical care English classes Kindergarten Recreational programs “Jane Addams” Opened Hull House in Chicago 1889

The Rebirth of Reform Public Education Industrialization/ urbanization called for more educated workers Public Schools increased after Civil War 6,500,000 in 1870 to 17,300,000 in 1900 Important to immigrant children success Learned English, American history and culture (AKA “Americanization”) Grammar Schools taught lessons for workplace Punctuality Neatness Efficiency Not everyone had schools…. Rural areas and African Americans did not have equal educational opportunities Created their own schools like Booker T. Washington (Tuskegee Institute 1881)

EXIT QUESTIONS What was the main idea of Social Darwinism? What was the importance of the saloon in city life? What actions did Congress take to regulate big business? What was the purpose of a settlement house?