James Garfield Unit 1.3

Learning Targets I can analyze how the industrialization of the Gilded Age created political, economic, and social change in the US. I can examine how industrial leaders gained power and wealth to expand their industries. I can analyze whether or not you think industrial leaders of the Gilded Age were “captains of industry” or “robber barons”.

James Garfield 20th President (1881) Republican, Ohio Fought in Civil War FF: Could write with both his left and right hand, at the same time!

Mark Twain gave this period it’s name: gilded means to cover with gold He implied that the US appeared wealthy, but just below a thin layer of gold (elite) the majority of Americans were struggling. Weak presidents struggled under the control of Congress; which in turn was often controlled by the wealthy. No income tax!!! Gilded Age The Gilded Age was an era of time characterized by industrial growth and economic inequality. 1870-1899 Technological innovations allowed for an enormous amount of output following the Civil War. Advances in transportation (RR) and big factories meant big $

Robber Barons Vertical integration: practice of buying out business that supply you. EX: a steel company would buy an iron mine because iron is the key ingredient in steel. The vast difference in wealth between the rich and the poor was justified through social Darwinism- rich are smarter or harder working than the poor, therefore they are entitled to wealth. Several prominent businessmen accumulated great wealth and changed the US economically and socially in the GA. Horizontal integration is a method of accumulation similar business to your own Companies that make the same products/ competitors AKA: monopoly

Robber Barons

Meet the Robber Barons Andrew Carnegie Born poor, he immigrated to US Through hard work and lots of reading he worked his way up through society. Eventually owned US Steel, largest steel monopoly in world Steel important for RR, buildings Very cruel to employees but he believed in the Gospel of Wealth- it was the duty of the rich to give to charity

Meet the Robber Barons John Rockefeller Born poor in Ohio, works hard and eventually starts an oil company (Standard Oil) Oil was being used to light homes and later for cars. JR would undercut competitors by lowering his prices; consumers went with JR because it was cheaper Once his competitor went out of business, JR would raise prices.

Meet the Robber Barons JP Morgan Unlike others, he was born rich Made $ by lending $- interest Financed Thomas Edison’s work Became so wealthy he actually bought US Steel from Carnegie

Other Robber Barons Cornelius Vanderbilt Gustavus Swift Henry Ford RR monopoly Gustavus Swift Meatpacking monopoly Henry Ford Automobile innovator More on Ford in future

Robber Barons in the Print

Robber Barons in the Print

Robber Barons in the Print

Robber Barons in the Print

Robber Barons in the Print

Patronage and the President Patronage- When an elected official gives government jobs to their supporters (spoils system) Often lead to corruption within government, unqualified people with jobs President Garfield campaigned on a platform promising to eliminate patronage When he won he turned away many job seekers, including Charles Guiteau CG shot Garfield in the hopes that the VP would give him a job after he became president Garfield may have survived, but his doctors made the wound worse by not sanitizing and spreading germs

Garfield Assassination

Pendleton Act In the wake of Garfield’s assassination, Congress passed the Pendleton Act Law outlawed patronage and required exams, college degrees for most federal laws. Corruption in the government decreases as a result.