1. The Gilded Age

2. Era of Change
The Gilded Age gets its name from a book by Mark Twain, criticizing political leaders of the day
Formative days of the US- in both politics and business
Massive agricultural expansion into the west= influx of goods and materials which fed expansion in the cities

3. Presidents
Rutherford B. Hayes- disputed election marked the official end of Reconstruction
Refused to take part in the spoils system, but did withdraw federal troops
Promised to only serve 1 term
James Garfield- “dark horse” candidate- elected by only 10,000 popular votes
Fought against factionalism and patronage
Shot on July 2, lingered until Sept. 19th and died of infection

4. Politics in the late 19th Century
Attempts to scale back government spending actually led to further corruption
Government became an agent of change through reform movements

5. Politics in the late 19th Century Cont.
End of the spoils system
Patronage- the power to control appointments to certain offices
In the past, Presidents would appoint supporters to executive offices
President Chester A. Arthur supports the Pendleton Act in 1883
Government positions must be awarded based on merit

6. Party Positions in the Gilded Age
Republicans- largely in control from
National unity, economic modernization and moral reform
Protective tariffs to encourage industry
Democrats
Supported economic progress but feared that heavy taxes benefited businesses not people

7. President Grover Cleveland
Only President ever to be elected to 2 non-consecutive terms
First election involved scandal- child out of wedlock- acknowledged but still won
First term- worked to regulate business, provide no favors to specific groups
Defeated because he lowered tariffs
"What is the use of being elected or re-elected unless you stand for something.”
Faced the financial crisis of the 1890s in his second term

8. Exit Ticket
Please pull out a sheet of paper and answer the following questions in complete sentences
What does ‘Gilded’ mean? Why do you think this name was given to this era?
What do you think are/are going to be the key differences between the Gilded Age and the Civil War era based on what we’ve studied so far?