The Gilded Age: "What is the chief end of man?--to get rich. In what way?--dishonestly if we can; honestly if we must.“ – Mark Twain Period of corruption during the 2 nd Industrial Revolution Tariff were high during the Gilded Age Graft: Illegally using political power for personal gain Patronage: Giving loyal party supporters government jobs The Merit System: To get a government job, you had to take a civil service exam to prove you could to the job Job promotion based on ability, not who you know, who you vote for, or how much money you have

Political Machines Corrupt form of local government that has control of a city Supported by immigrants Offered protection, employment, financial assistance etc… Traded votes for favors If the immigrant voted for the political machine, the immigrant would receive a job, protection etc. Headed by a City Boss

Boss Tweed Head of the New York City Democratic Political Machine between the 1860s- 1870s Tammany Hall was Boss Tweed’s headquarters in NYC Thomas Nast: Political cartoon artists who exposed Tweeds corruption in his drawings Hated Tweed

The Tammany Tiger Loose - What are you going to do about it?”

BUSTED!!!! Busted on 200 counts of fraud & extortion 12 yrs., escaped Caught by Spanish police = recognized him from Nast cartoon

Garfield, Arthur & Stalwarts President Hayes began some reform movements to end gov’t. corruption before he left office Angered many Democrats, as these reforms prevented them from gaining office James Garfield, a Republican, won the 1880 election with Chester Arthur as his VP Ran on a platform of government reform Stalwarts: Republicans who did not support government reforms They might lose their job & power Didn’t support Garfield, but like Arthur, as he didn’t like reforms

Garfield, Arthur & Guiteau Within months of his election, Garfield is doing away with Patronage & the Spoils Systems Charles Guiteau was promised a government job, which Garfield would not honor Shoots Garfield in the back in a crowded train station Garfield dies within weeks due to doctor caused complication

Chester A. Arthur Finished out Garfield’s term Has a change of heart & focused on reform movement to stop corruption in government Turned on the stalwarts Passed the Pendleton Act of 1883 The merit system would be used to obtain government jobs

Grover Cleveland 1885 – 1889 & Only President to serve non- consecutive terms Democrat Wanted to lower tariffs, but was unsuccessful because Congress did not support him Believed that “voting should be based on opportunity, not ability” Didn’t think immigrants should have to pay the poll tax or take the literacy exam

Benjamin Harrison Lost the popular vote, but won the election of 1888 through the electoral college Supported by big business Singed many bills to internal improvements Navy Statehood of Hawaii Signed the Sherman Anti-Trust Law Biggest domestic problem during his presidency was high tariffs Wanted to lower, but couldn’t – would lose support from big business

Conclusion The increase in immigration caused many problems Urbanization & political Political machines & government corruption caused reforms