Chapter 15 “Politics, Immigration, and Urban Life” Section 1 “Politics in the Gilded Age”

Vocabulary Gilded Age laissez-faire subsidy blue law civil service Pendleton Civil Service Act rebate Munn v. Illinois

a time when corruption was common 1)How did business influence politics during the Gilded Age? To ensure government aid, business giants during the Gilded Age supported friendly politicians with gifts of money a time when corruption was common widespread abuse of power in business and government.

2) In what ways did government reform the spoils system and regulate railroads President Hayes surprised many supporters by refusing to use the patronage system. President Arthur passed the Pendleton Civil Service Act In 1877 the Supreme Court, in Munn v. Illinois, 1887 Congress responded by passing the Interstate Commerce Act.

3) What effect did the transition from depression to prosperity have on politics in the 1890s? 1888 election focused on tariffs (taxes on imported goods) Panic of 1893 during which millions of workers lost their jobs or had their wages slashed. Govt. offered no help. Populists grew in popularity Republicans (industrialists) Democrats (workers & immigrants)

4) Businesses sought political influence by making large contributions to politicians. How do you think these politicians voted on tariff legislation? Why? The politicians voted for Tariffs Wanted U.S. consumers to buy American made products = more profits Prevent consumers to buy foreign made

5) How did the Interstate Commerce Act affect railroads? The act required that rates be set in proportion to the distance traveled and that rates be made public. It also outlawed the practice of giving special rates to powerful customers.

Review Prepare your Response Cards

Laissez-faire economic policy means that government A) should play a large role in regulating trade. B) should play a very limited role in regulating trade. C) should attempt to ensure that trade policies are fair. D) should laissez, or round up, companies accused of unfair business practices.

B) should play a very limited role in regulating trade.

What aspect of Gilded Age politics contributed to President Garfield's assassination? A) the spoils system, the awarding of government jobs to insiders B) corruption, the taking of bribes by federal officials C) speculation, the illegal trading of stocks and bonds D) regulation, government control of business and industry

A) the spoils system, the awarding of government jobs to insiders

What are blue laws? a. laws that prohibit southerners from having too much power B. laws that prohibit activities deemed immoral c. laws that dismantled the spoils system d. laws that protect immigrants' rights

B. laws that prohibit activities deemed immoral =

The Interstate Commerce Act was designed to a. force railroad companies to keep their rates secret. b. eliminate unfair practices by powerful railroad companies. c. make railroads raise wages for their workers. d. allow railroad workers to form their own unions.

b. eliminate unfair practices by powerful railroad companies.

True/False Republicans opposed industrialists, bankers, and eastern farmers. The party was strongest in the South and the upper Midwest.

False False

True/False Bribery was one consequence of the reliance of American politics on the spoils system.

True

True/False After his election in 1877, Rutherford B. Hayes surprised many supporters by refusing to use the patronage system.

True