Political and Economic Challenges Chapter 7 Section 2 Political and Economic Challenges

Section Focus Why did the political structure change during the Gilded Age?

Why it matters? Inaction and political corruption characterized the political scene during the Gilded Age. This raised the question whether or not democracy could succeed in a time dominated by large and powerful industrial corporations and men of great wealth.

Balance of Power Creates Stalemate Party loyalty is evenly divided Only twice in 20 years (1877-1897) did Rep or Dems control White House and both houses of Congress Difficult to pass laws Legislation is easily blocked by opponents

Weak Presidents Gilded Age Presidents appear weak Win by slim margins and lack integrity President Rutherford B Hayes owes election to secret deal Promises southern law makers to withdraw troops

Weak Presidents Benjamin Harrison 2nd president to lose popular election but win electoral college

Weak Presidents James Garfield Shot/killed

Weak Presidents Chester A. Arthur Takes over for Garfield Upset so many Rep. fails to gain party nomination in election

Decent President Grover Cleveland Integrity “Dem. thief just as bad as Rep. thief” Two nonconsecutive terms 1884-1888 and 1892-1896

Corruption Plagues National Politics Government officials routinely accept bribes “One might search the whole list of Congress, Judiciary, and Executive…….from 1875-1895, and find little but damaged reputation”

Political cartoons raise the alarm

Cartoons Thomas Nast exposes Boss Tweed in NYC

Spoils System Dominates Government Spoils System rewards loyalty with jobs, even if person is unqualified. President doesn’t campaign during this time “lowered reputation” Parties campaigned for them Spoils System and fierce partisanship increase voter turnout 75-80 of all registered to vote cast ballots

Civil Service Reform Spoils system corrupts government, or at least, makes it inefficient Civil Service a system that includes federal jobs in the executive branch. People getting jobs they are not qualified for due to Spoils system. It takes President Garfield getting shot to make reform a reality Shot by Charles Guiteau after not getting a gvt job

Civil Service Reform Pendleton Civil Service Act Establishes Civil Service Commission Civil service exam reduces power of spoils system

Economic Issues Gold Standard – gold as the basis of the nations currency Arguments over the tariff Dems. Insist that high tariff increases cost of goods, harder for American farmers to sell goods abroad Reps. Favor high tariff, argue that it would allow American industries to grow and promote manufacturing jobs

Monetary policy conflict Arguments begin over to consider gold and silver money, or just gold Coinage act of 1873

Section focus Why did the political structure change during the Gilded Age? The spoils system led to corruption. To combat corruption, the political structure changed to award jobs on the basis of skill rather than party loyalty or personal friendships.