Chapter 15
Section 1
Bribe: Money paid to someone to do something against the law. Civil Service: System that includes most government workers who are appointed rather than elected. Kickback: An illegal payment of money made in return for a favor or service.
US grew strong Millions of immigrants came to US: ◦ Factories ◦ Steel mills ◦ RR Growth brought problems: ◦ Some used wealth and power to change laws for their gain Many Americans began working to reform business and govt.
Gilded Age: (covered with gold) ◦ Wealthy did not care about the poor ◦ Corruption spread throughout the U.S. Some leaders of big businesses used money to do good things: ◦ Created jobs ◦ Helped poor people ◦ Built museums and other public places Some business people tried to use govt. for their own gain: ◦ Bribing the govt. ◦ Should have laws protecting their businesses Some were successful in getting laws passes
Wanted to control the railroads ◦ Bribed lawmakers ◦ Didn’t care if laws hurt other RR When told by someone that he was breaking the law his response was: “What do I care about law?…Haven’t I got the Power?” ◦ Many big business leaders shared this philosophy
N.Y. city leader/Political Boss Boss Tweed Controlled city govt. Controlled elections: Gave gifts Jobs Favors ◦ Exchange for votes ◦ Received kickback for his service Cheated NYC out of $200 million (6 years) ◦ Padded city bills/kept extra ◦ Paid off police ◦ Went to jail
Many Americans called for reform Lawmakers decided to reform civil service 1870s-1880s: ◦ Spoils system-govt. jobs given to supporters 1870s Pres. Hayes spoke out against spoils system: ◦ Congress did not want to change 1880s Pres. Garfield ◦ Many people kept asking for jobs in govt. ◦ 1881, he was shot and killed because he did not give his killer a job
VP Chester Arthur becomes president 1883: ◦ Congress passed the Civil Service Act ◦ Had to take a test for govt. jobs Showed if they had the skills for the job
Worksheets #