Chapter 15: The Gilded Age Politics, Immigration, & Urban Life

I. The Gilded Age

II. Post Civil War Politics Lack of Political Leadership & Corruption (sheet) * Undistinguished political leadership * Neither party dominated * People expect little from govt… Laissez-faire *Political Scandal and corruption * Tammany Hall & Tweed Ring, Credit Mobilier Scandal, Salary Grab, Whiskey Ring Fraud

II. Post Civil War Politics B. Major Issue of the Period (sheet) Republicans Democrats Industrialists & bankers North & Midwest & southern blacks Tight money supply w/ gold standard, high tariffs, subsidies to RR, blue laws, limited immigration N. urban immigrants, laborers, southern planters, western farmers Increased money supply w/ silver standard, lower tariffs, higher farm prices, less subsidies to business, fewer blue laws

II. Post Civil War Politics Major Issues of the Period 1. Tariffs: Protectionism v. Free Trade 2. Currency: “Free Silver”/ “Cheap Money” v. Gold Standard; peak w/ Election of 1896 3. Civil Service Reform * Jackson & the Spoils System *1881: Prez Garfield assassinated * Pendleton Act of 1883: exams

II. Post Civil War Politics The “One-Termers” 1. Rutherford B. Hayes * Compromise of 1877 2. James A. Garfield

II. Post Civil War Politics The “One-Termers” Chester A. Arthur Grover Cleveland * Interstate Commerce Act; Dawes Act * Served 2 non-consecutive terms 5. Benjamin Harrison * Battle of Wounded Knee

III. The New Immigrants New Immigrants (1870-1920) Old Immigration (1609-1860) G. Britain, Germany, N. Europe Africans: forced slavery Peoples absorbed by conquest and annexation S/ E Europe Different languages, customs, religions (Italian Catholics) European Jews: pogroms Slavs, Russian, Polish, Czech Physical Differences as well.

III. New Immigrants Coming To America 1. Journey to America: steerage, Ellis Island, quarantine 2. Immigrant Communities: ghettos; good and bad 3. Assimilation v. Pluralism: “Melting Pot” v. “Salad Bowl”

III. New Immigrants Reaction to Immigrants 1. Nativism/ Ethnocentrism * Cultural & Economic Issues 2. Examples of Nativism * Am’n Protective Association (1887): Catholics * Restrictive Covenants: not sell real estate * Local Laws prohibit from holding certain jobs * Jewish Immigrants: restricted from jobs, universities

III. New Immigrants D. Early Restrictions: See Chart 1. Chinese Exclusion Act (1882): “Yellow Peril” 2. Gentlemen’s Agreement (1907): Japan 3. Literacy Tests (1917): Read/ write 1.

IV. Urbanization: The Growth of An Urban Nation Negative Effects of City Growth 1. Tenements & Company Towns *Realism: Ash Can School, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets 2. Public Health: disease, sanitation, diets, no hospitals 3. Politics & Political Machines: + and - 4. Tension b/w the Social Groups

IV. Urbanization Positive Effects of City Growth 1. New Technologies *Mass transportation, lights, brides, water & sewage systems 2. Cultural Opportunities * Museums, halls, theaters, newspapers, dept stores, vaudeville, movies, baseball 3. Educational Opportunties * Morrill Act of 1862

IV. Urbanization The Urban Mixture *Mix: poor, middle class, wealthy… tensions * Development of inventions: consumerism, materialism, better housing, money, leisure time * Wealthy: contribute charities, institutions, operas, libraries * Workers: lacked time, energy, finances to participate * Women: upper class stayed home: reform movements * Rest: traditional jobs… but still work at home * But with economic power…. 1

IV. Urbanization Attempts At Urban Reform Jacob Riis: How the Other Half Lives (sheet)

IV. Urbanization Local Attempts at Urban Reform 1. Public Commissions: child labor, conditions, housing 2. Social Gospel Movement & Religious Institutions * Salvation Army, Knights of Columbus 3. Municipal Leagues: private groups: eye on corruption 4. Settlement Houses: Hull House/ Jane Addams (1889)