Gilded Age Issues Chapter 7

Section Focus How were civil rights of certain groups undermined after Reconstruction? Obj: Assess how whites created a segregated society in the South and how African- Americans responded Obj: Analyze efforts to limit immigration and its effects Obj: Compare the situations of Mexican- Americans and women to other groups

African-Americans Lose Freedoms

African Americans Oppose Injustices 1. 2. 3.

Minorities Face Discrimination and Struggles

Women’s Gains and Setbacks

Political and Economic challenges Section Focus: Why did the political structure change during the Gilded Age? Political inaction and corruption during the Gilded Age Obj: Analyze the issue of corruption in national politics in the 1870’s and 1880’s Obj: Discuss civil service reform during the 1870’s and 1880’s Obj: Asses the importance of economic issues in the politics of Gilded Age

Political Stalemate No faction or group gained power for long (control White House and both houses of Congress) Difficult to pass new laws Weak presidents Hayes – Won b/c of agreement b/w parties Garfield – Assassinated Arthur – Upset own party Cleveland – Honest, won 2 non-consecutive terms Harrison – Won electoral vote, but not popular

Corruption Bribes were very common in govt. Spoils System leads to formation of political machines that worked to keep a party in power and reward supporters with jobs Civil Service reform seeks to end the corruption in govt. Pendleton Civil Service Act leads to creation of Civil Service Commission to ensure qualified job holders.

Economic Challenges Tariff issues divides Rep. and Dem. Rep. favor high tariff to help American industry and business Dem. favor low tariff to keep prices down for consumers and help farmers sell products Monetary Policy also divisive Debate over Gold Standard v. Bimetallic Standard Govt. stopped minting silver coins with the “Crime of 1873” Some wanted silver minted and used as $ Bankers supported gold standard and feared minting silver would undermine economy Farmers supported bimetallic standard and silver minting  inflation and higher crop prices

Farmers and Populism Section Focus: What led to the rise of Populism and what effect did it have? Obj: Analyze the problems farmers faced and the groups they formed to address them Obj: Assess the goals of the Populist Party and why it did not last

Farmers’ Struggles Low Prices High Costs High Debt High RR Rates High Interest Rates Govt. Ignores Them

Farmers’ REsponse The Grange ICC created to oversee interstate transport Farmers’ Alliances Cooperatives – costs down, prices up

Populist Party Worries Platform Successes Political corruption Inadequate money supply Unresponsive govt. Platform Coinage of silver Govt. regulation of RR Successes Elected some governors and congressmen Gained popularity Other parties endorse their ideas

Election of 1896 William Jennings Bryan - D William McKinley - R Great speaker – “Cross of Gold” speech “Free silver” – bimetallic standard Supported by Populists Represents common people William McKinley - R Had others campaign Gold standard Raised millions of $ Wins

Populists Legacy Didn’t appeal to urban workers No support outside South and West Eventually disappears Many proposed reforms become reality Brought people together Influences Progressivism