Gilded Age Politics 1877-1900

The Gilded Age Name comes from the title of an 1873 Mark Twain book Referred to the “superficial glitter” of the new wealth that developed in the late 1800s Dominated by a belief in limited government, laissez-faire economics, & Social Darwinism Marked by political corruption & ineffectiveness

Gilded Age Politics Era was most highly competitive politically in US history Voter turnout reached highest levels in US history Parties avoided controversial issues that might alienate voters Led to issue-free campaigns focused on party loyalty & regional, religious, & ethnic ties

Political Parties Republican Party Democratic Party Stressed strict codes of personal morality Laissez faire attitudes on government’s involvement in regulating both economic affairs Consisted of businessmen & African Americans Support from Midwest & small & rural towns in northeast Democratic Party Opposed government efforts to impose a single moral standard on society Emphasized economic equity and fairnesss Consisted of many immigrant German Lutherans & Catholics (especially Irish) Support from the Solid South & large industrial cities where immigrants factored in significantly under political machines

Republican Factions Stalwarts, Half-Breeds, and Mugwumps Stalwarts: Led by Roscoe Conkling, Senator who favored spoils system Half-Breeds: Led by James G. Blaine, Congressman who favored civil service reform Mugwumps: Represented in thought by Thomas Nast Made up of young liberal reformers Favored Reconstruction policies to help African Americans Anti-corruption

Political Corruption Political Machines: Tightly organized groups of politicians that controlled the political parties in urban areas Headed by a “boss” Provided services to business, immigrants, & the poor in exchange for votes on election day Exemplified by “Boss” William Tweed of the Tammany Hall machine (Tweed Ring) in NY city

Problems Lead to Political Machines Problem: Cities grow so fast their gov’t (municipal) can’t keep up with needs of people Solution: Political Machine steps in and provides services in exchange for votes and money Goal of Pol. Mach: work to get their candidates elected Transit, water & sewage systems, sanitation, protection

organized group that controlled things for a political party Political Machines: organized group that controlled things for a political party All work together To elect their Candidates & Ensure the success Of the machine city boss ward bosses precinct captains precinct workers

Immigrants and the Political Machine - Constituents (voters) are often immigrants - Bosses and precinct captains often 1st or 2nd generation immigrants themselves Knew the language, culture, and what was needed Immigrants taken advantage of

Corruption in the Machines Fraud: cheating to win elections ex: voting more than once Graft: using political influence for personal gain ex: Bribes - businesses offered money to get city contracts

Political Corruption Politics focused on winning and holding office, not on issues or legislation Led to an increase in patronage, i.e. giving away government offices for votes, kickbacks, & party service Government employment expanded significantly (e.g. postal service) Reformers targeted spoils system as being inefficient & corrupt

Led ring of corrupt politicians who defrauded New York City 1869-1871 “Boss Tweed” * William M. Tweed was City Boss of Tammany Hall, the Democratic Pol. Mach. in NY Led ring of corrupt politicians who defrauded New York City 1869-1871

WILLIAM BOSS TWEED Exposed for his corruption by cartoonist and editor, Thomas Nast Tweed Ring fell and 1873 Tweed convicted of embezzlement Later Tweed was arrested on a civil charge and jailed in NYC, later died there