Politics in the Gilded Age Chapter 3 Section 4

Lecture Focus Questions What issues plagued the government during the Gilded Age?

Politics in the Gilded Age gilded: covered with a thin layer of gold A thin but glittering layer of prosperity covered the poverty and corruption of society Laissez-faire: government should play a very limited role in business

Spoils System Spoils System: Elected officials appointed friends/supporters to govt jobs, regardless of their qualifications Result → govt overrun with unqualified, corrupt employees

Reforming the Spoils System Civil service: government’s non-elected workers Pendleton Civil Service Act: created a Civil Service Commission Tested applicants’ fitness/qualifications for jobs

Rise of Political Bosses Rapidly growing cities proved hard to govern Pressure on government officials to improve: Police/fire protection Transportation system Sewage disposal Increased taxes = more power for city govt

Political Machines Political machine: unofficial city organization designed to keep a particular group in power, usually headed by a powerful “boss” Graft: use of one’s job to gain profit

Political Machines and Immigrants Immigrants typically supported political machines Political machines provided immigrants with jobs and homes in return for their political support Immigrants voted for them in exchange for this help

Farmers and Populism Govt monetary policies contributed to farmers’ complex problems post-Civil War Populist Party: political party formed by farmers to advocate a larger money supply and other economic reforms William Jennings Bryan: Populist candidate for presidency in 1896 Famous “Gold Cross” speech Lost to William McKinley

To Finish Your Notes Answer your focus question and write your summary