Describe the changing role of government in economic and political affairs. NCSCOS 5.04

Macro Concepts Micro Concepts Power-authority of a government to carry out the law. Change-transformation of a person, place or thing. Conflict-problem or issue that is controversial and can cause problems without compromise. Reform-method of fixing, improving and correcting [change for the better]. Corruption-act of government officials misusing power for their benefit. Laissez-faire-concept that business should NOT have strict regulations and control over them. Industrialization-process of people producing things using mass production and machinery. Immigration-process of mass entrance into a new country to live permanently. Urbanization-process of living in high population, high density cities.

Machine Politics Political machines-strong political parties that control who comes to power by using bribery and tight political organization. Tammany Hall-The name of the New York City Democratic party headquarters. Was well known for corruption led by party leader William Boss Tweed. Boss Tweed-Leader of Tammany Hall who used bribery and extortion to rule New York City politics. Graft-a technique of using bribery or stealing money by an elected official. Civil Service System-a system of using tests to decide who gets government jobs. Pendleton Act-a federal law created to prevent corruption by using merit instead of patronage and graft.

Thomas Nast’s cartoons A New York City cartoonist named Thomas Nast criticized the corruption and illegal activities of Tweed and other government officials. His cartoons were so effective because readers did not have to know how to read to understand what Nast was describing. Eventually the pressure applied by Nast led to Tweed’s arrest, prosecution and imprisonment.

Scandals, Corruption and ways to stop it Crédit Mobilier scandal-An example of government officials taking bribes from railroad companies, Whiskey Ring scandal-Terrible example of corruption by U.S. Government officials who stole Whiskey taxes. Secret ballot (Australian)-Type of voting system that protected privacy of voters [ex. Voters did not reveal who they voted for]. Initiative-A type of vote started by the citizens [usually to get something changed] such as raising the drinking age. Referendum-A type of law passed by the citizens of a country instead of a legislature. Recall-A vote to fire an elected official before his term is over because the voters do not like his performance.

Mugwumps Group of people who rebelled and left the Republican party because they were tired of corruption. James Blaine ran for president in 1884 but lost the elections because he was considered too corrupt. A criticism of the Mugwumps was that they had a holier than thou toward morality as if they were above criticism themselves. Republican Presidential candidate James A. Blaine

Sherman Anti-Trust Act Federal law passed by Congress to break up Trusts. The trusts formed monopolies that controlled prices of goods such as oil and steel. This legislation broke up the Standard Oil company. The law gave the U.S. Government more power to regulate businesses and protect consumers.

U.S. v. E.C. Knight, Co. (1895) This U.S. Supreme Court case was important because it ruled against the federal government on the key issue of Big Business. The U.S. government wanted to break up sugar trusts. The Court ruled that Big Sugar did not pose a significant enough threat to the United States because sugar was not essential.

Cartoon Strip like Thomas Nast Create one page political cartoon that mocks or parodies one of the historical events described in this slide show. You may use dialogue if you wish. Anyone who reads or sees your cartoon must be able to readily understand what you are trying to “say.” Be as descriptive and sarcastic as possible. Please ask me if you have any questions.

Image sources http://www2.truman.edu/parker/research/tweed.jpg http://mrjohnsonssclasses.wikispaces.com/file/view/thomas_nast_cartoon1.jpg/167777619/thomas_nast_cartoon1.jpg http://www2.truman.edu/parker/research/tammany.jpg http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/capitalism/images/knight.jpg http://people.cohums.ohio-state.edu/childs1/387Week6outline_files/image003.jpg