1. National Politics and Reform Target: I can describe political reforms of the late 1800s.

2. I) The Grant Years

3. A) Following the Civil War, Gen. Grant became president

4. I) The Grant Years A) Following the Civil War, Gen. Grant became president –1) His two terms were filled with corruption, scandal, and political conflict

5. I) The Grant Years B) The Republican and Democratic parties fought fiercely

6. I) The Grant Years B) The Republican and Democratic parties fought fiercely –1) Republicans continually reminded voters that the democrats (south) were to blame for the Civil War

7. I) The Grant Years B) The Republican and Democratic parties fought fiercely –1) Republicans continually reminded voters that the democrats (south) was to blame for the Civil War a. As a result, many African-Americans were voting Republican

8. I) The Grant Years B) The Republican and Democratic parties fought fiercely –1) Republicans continually reminded voters that the democrats (south) was to blame for the Civil War a. As a result, many African-Americans were voting Republican b. While many whites in the Radical South did not like reconstruction and voted democrat

9. I) The Grant Years B) The Republican and Democratic parties fought fiercely –2) The Democrats accused the Republicans of “waving the bloody shirt” a. Stirring up wartime feelings to appeal to voters

10. I) The Grant Years B) The Republican and Democratic parties fought fiercely –2) The Democrats accused the Republicans of “waving the bloody shirt” a. Stirring up wartime feelings to appeal to voters –3) While the nation was evenly split between the two parties, the Republicans tended to win and hold office more often

11. II) Corruption in Gov’t

12. A) The Credit Mobilier Scandal

13. 1. This construction company was paid by the gov’t to build the Union Pacific RR

14. A) The Credit Mobilier Scandal 1. This construction company was paid by the gov’t to build the Union Pacific RR 2. They exaggerated costs and bribed members of Congress and the VP to stay quiet

15. B) The Spoils System

16. 1. Victorious presidents would appoint their supporters to gov’t positions

17. B) The Spoils System 1. Victorious presidents would appoint their supporters to gov’t positions 2. However, they often did not know how to do their job

18. C) These factors led the term Gilded Age

19. 1. The wealth and success of the nation masked the corruption and greed

20. III) Civil Service Reform

21. A) Rutherford B. Hayes (Ohio) ran for president and was elected in 1876 on a civil service platform

22. 1. Civil service- a test that determines who is best qualified for a job

23. A) Rutherford B. Hayes (Ohio) ran for president and was elected in 1876 on a civil service platform 1. Civil service- a test that determines who is best qualified for a job 2. Congress did not accept Hayes’ plan

24. B) It would take the assassination of President Garfield (Ohio) in 1881 before Congress would accept change

25. 1. Garfield was killed by a man who was upset that he did not get a gov’t job

26. B) It would take the assassination of President Garfield (Ohio) in 1881 before Congress would accept change 1. Garfield was killed by a man who was upset that he did not get a gov’t job 2. The Pendleton Civil Service Act allows potential workers to take a test, those with the highest scores are hired, and cannot be fired for political reasons

27. C) There would be set-backs though

28. 1. 1884, Cleveland was elected president the first democrat since the Civil War

29. C) There would be set-backs though 1. 1884, Cleveland was elected president the first democrat since the Civil War 2. he would double the # of gov’t jobs and bring in numerous democrats