Political Corruption During the the Gilded Age RAM Block: Create a political poster that is satirical in nature. This poster should highlight 1 president during the Gilded Age, and highlight his actions which represent the “Gilded Age”

Warm Up Write the following definition: Gilded Age: An era of where the US was glittering on the surface but corrupt underneath

“Bloody Shirt Election” Grant won (barely) – "wave the bloody shirt" – constantly remind voters of military record Close victory meant: – (a) tightly run and hard- fighting political parties – (b) narrow election margins of victory

The Era of Good Stealings New York City: Boss Tweed ran Tammany Hall Used: bribes, graft, and rigged elections to mooch money

Corruption in the White House Crédit Mobilier scandal – constructing the trans-continental railroad and effectively sub- hired itself to get paid double. – Gave stock to politicians

Panic of 1873 Over-spending with borrowed money Too-easy credit given by the banks. – Soft Money vs. Hard Money Wanted soft money (included silver) Would eventually make it more difficult to borrow money

Review of the Election of 1876 Hayes-Tilden Election – Ended Reconstruction

Reconstruction No Longer Needed? Segregation became institutionalized – Jim Crow laws that legalized the segregation. – Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) stated that "separate but equal" facilities for the races were legal.

Political Corruption Addressed The Pendleton Act – required merit to get jobs – Civil Service Commission awarded jobs based on performance – Pendleton Act first affected only 10% of federal jobs: stopped the worst offenses of spoils system it set the tone for civil service reform

BUT…Massive Economic Corruption Massive amounts of money being made…by either Captains of Industry OR Robber Barons. – Using the Green AP Review book, complete the handout.