“The Gilded Age” (Gilded- golden) time of government corruption and inefficiency Students will understand how governments (fed, state, and city) were corrupted by special interests (people w $), failed to serve the people, and people working within government worked to make themselves richer rather than help the country.. Prior Knowledge (Think) What are some problems affecting or government today? Goal Questions 1) Define a Political Machine and ID two ways a Political Machine gained control of a city? 2) Identify 3 forgettable President and explain one contribution of each. 3) Analyze 2 reasons why government was so inefficient and unproductive during the Gilded Age.

Political Machines- group of people who control politics behind the scenes through corruption, graft, and bribery to make money off of taxpayers Tammany Hall/Boss Tweed- politcal machine of NYC, Tweed was the Boss – Private Companies owned by Tweed would be hired by city to do work and would overcharge city How can a political machine gain power even though it caused government to go against the people? – Immigration- control Irish vote with favors – Fixed Elections- steal/stuff ballot boxes – Controlled Judges/police/politicians- so no one involved in corruption goes to jail

Scandals- Gilded Age known for political scandals where people used power to get rich Patronage- political supporters were rewarded with government jobs – How would patronage make government more ineffective? Fisk-Gould Scandal- tried to control gold market by buying all gold in US – President Grant’s Role/Cabinet- Pres. Grant’s secretary kept Gov. from dumping shares to lower price of gold Credit Mobilier- RR that overcharged Gov. to lay track – What was the government’s response when it found out it was being ripped off? – Government response- elected officials were paid off to stay quiet

Compromise of Ends Reconstruction b/c of disputed Presidential election in 1876 Rutherford B. Hayes (R ) Disputed Election in S.- Dem./KKK in SC, LA, FL prevent blacks from voting -Dem. receive most votes, Rep. claim Dem cheated Compromise of 1877 » Rep/Hayes wins Presidency » Dem.- Army leaves South – How will the Compromise of 1877 change the situation in the South or end Reconstruction?

Forgettable Presidents- series of Presidents who did very little James Garfield (R. 1881)- wanted to fix/end patronage – Assassinated by Charles Guiteau (crazed spoilsman/office seeker) Why would the assassination of the President by a corrupt/crazy office seeker be a good thing? Chester Arthur (R ) takes over after Garfield is shot, feels bad about WHY Garfield was killed – Pendleton Act- Gov. officials need to pass a test to work for Gov. proving competency Where would people seeking to get rich in Gov. go to make $? Grover Cleveland (D , 93-97) – Lowered Tariff (tax on imports) lowers Gov. revenue $) What new source of revenue will the Gov. need to create? Income Tax- Gov. begins taxing $ people make Benjamin Harrison (R )