Corruption Chapter 10: Gilded Age (1865 – 1900) Section 1 Obj: Explain what the Gilded Age was and how corruption played a part Corruption

Gilded Age Time period nicknamed by Mark Twain Era of corruption Scandal plagued politics However, rules of modern politics and business practice were just beginning to be written It was a time period when government began to take steps in reducing business Sherman Anti-Trust Act Interstate Commerce Government shies away from laissez-faire

Political Machines American government began to decline Politicians began to enrich themselves through bribery and other forms of corruption Most outrageous examples occur in city government Political machines were created to maintain political power They did this by controlling the votes, the courts and the police

Most famous machine was located in New York Ran by William “Boss” Tweed

Widespread Corruption Corruption occurred at all levels of government Local, state and national Big businesses were spending large sums of money (campaign contributions) to influence legislators Under Grant’s administrations several cabinet members accepted bribes from trusts To overlook suspicious business activities

Political Parties Republicans controlled government after Civil War Received support from: Western farmers – benefited from free land Eastern merchants – benefited from high tariffs Tended to be the “old immigrants” Democrats lost control of government after Civil War Support centered in the south Also received support from the “new immigrants” Factory workers Poor city dwellers Democratic motto was represent the common man