Gilded Age (1877 – 1900) or so Mark Twain referred to this time pd. as the Gilded Age. What does it mean to be gilded? It is a thin layer of gold over a worthless metal. It was not a pretty picture of America.

Politics of Business More and more Americans became wealthy during this time. How? One could inherit great fortunes. One could make great fortunes. The number of wealthy climbed in America, but the number of poor climbed higher. Too many people on bottom rung.

Politics of Business (part 2) Railroads benefited from gov’t loans and grants. They also supported political leaders. Relationship between the two may have been a conflict of interest. The Spoils system was used locally and on federal level. Elected officials repaid supporters.

Competing Parties Republicans Democrats Mainly in NE and MW Supported high tariffs Wanted pensions for Union soldiers. Gov’t aid to RR Limits on immigration Democrats Silver backed money Lower tariffs Higher farm prices Less gov’t aid to business

Reforms Republicans “waved the bloody shirt” for years to get elected. Then, rewarded civil service jobs to friends (as did Dems) Rutherford B. Hayes broke the tradition and offended his party. Strengthened the country, but weakened the Republicans.

Election of 1880 Republicans were split Party loyalists Half-breeds – reform spoils system Stalwarts – Keep the same (spoils) Garfield – halfbreed won the nomination and election. Was assassinated in 1881. Arthur became Pres. and ended spoils

Pendleton Civil Service Act At the pressing of Arthur, Congress passed this act. Civil Service jobs were to be awarded on merit, not party affiliation. This effectively ended the spoils system started under Jackson.

Political Machines Political machines controlled the activities of political parties in the city.

Role of the Political Boss The “Boss” (typically the mayor) controlled jobs, business licenses, and influenced the court system. Precinct captains,often 1st or 2nd generation immigrants, helped new immigrants with jobs, housing, and naturalization in exchange for votes. Boss Tweed ran NYC

Welcome to America, vote for me!

Municipal Graft and Scandal Election Fraud- used fake names, dead people, to register and cast votes. Often took Bribes from large immigration forces or companies for political backings. Kickbacks- a % of profits bosses would inherit for deals they made.

Its Election Day!

Tammany Hall Boss Tweed was the notorious head of Tammany Hall. Political machines twisted arms and were the real gov’t. Stole as much as $200 million from New York City. Finally brought down by Thomas Nast – political cartoonist – for the illiterate!

Cleveland Takes Office Dem. Pres. Cleveland took office in 1884. To regulate unfair business practices, Congress created the Interstate Commerce Commission. It failed to have teeth to force RR to comply to the laws. The economy was floundering.

Coxey’s Army Cleveland won again in 1892. Unemployment was a problem and people marched on Washington. Led by Jacob Coxey, they were arrested for trampling the grass.

Draining the Treasury Pension Act (1890) – Pay more vets and pay them more = more votes for Rep. Sherman Silver Purchase Act (1890) – Gov’t to buy more silver and mint silver $ In return for SSPA, wealthy industrialists secured very high protective tariffs. Democrats got what they wanted and so did Republicans.

Populist Movement Election of 1892 Cleveland for Democrats Harrison for Republicans James Weaver Populist platform called for gov’t control of RR’s, telephone, telegraph; shorter work days, one term limit for Pres., and immigration restrictions. Cleveland won… again.

Cleveland’s Calamity As soon as Cleveland took office, the U.S. entered the worst depression of the 19th C Silver money, a drained treasury, declining gold, and foreign notes spelled doom. Cleveland repealed the “Silver Act” and alienated his party. J.P. Morgan stepped in to help raise gold for the government.

Election of 1896 Republican candidate – William McKinley Democratic/Populist – William Bryan McKinley big business. Bryan farmers, working man. In the end, McKinley won. The West & S. for Bryan, the rest for President.

McKinley’s Presidency McKinley takes offices, times get better, Republicans praised. Tariffs were raised once more to try and raise revenue. The “free silver” issue died out as did the Populist Movement.

Union Simulation 11.7 I will be political boss. I need two precinct wards for competing machines. Each ward will get one whip (who whips the immigrants into action to vote for their candidates) Everyone else will be an Immigrant (Irish or Italian)