2. Politics and Populism of the Gilded Age

3. Lack of Presidential Power
List of Presidents since Lincoln…
Andrew Johnson
Ulysses S. Grant
Rutherford B. Hayes
James Garfield
Chester Arthur
Grover Cleveland
Benjamin Harrison
The role of the President had diminished since Lincoln
Most of them were particularly weak Presidents

4. Knights Charge Grab a KC from the basket Grab your folders
Take out your maps

5. Political Corruption
Many politicians including the President’s reputations were ruined by corruption
Many politicians would accept money and be part of political machines

6. Political Machines
Political Machines- controlled political parties through bribes and rigging elections
Filled ballots w/ names of dogs, children, and people who had died, used those names to cast those votes for themselves
offered services to voters and businesses in exchange for political/ financial support
Gained immigrants support

7. Boss Tweed
Controlled Tammany Hall- New York City’s most powerful political machine

9. Thomas Nast Political cartoonist
Exposed political corruption of the Gilded Age

13. Government Tries to Fix Corruption
Pendleton Civil Service Act- Government workers had to take a civil service exam
Meant to reduce corruption
Meant to reduce Jackson’s Spoils System which gave jobs to political supporters

14. Problems Facing Farmers
Farmers faced several problems during the Gilded Age
Prices for crops fell
Shipping costs(railroads) grew too expensive
Big Business had too much power over farmers

15. Farmers Protest The Grange Farmers’ Alliances
Organization led by Oliver Kelley
Wanted government to regulate railroads
Farmers’ Alliances
Called for federal government support

16. Farmers’ Alliance
“There are three great crops raised in Nebraska. One is the crop of corn, one a crop of freight rates, and one a crop of interest. One is produced by farmers who sweat and toil to farm the land. The other two are produced by men who sit in their offices and behind their bank counters and farm the farmers.”
- Farmers’ Alliance 1890

17. The Populist Party
Farmer protest led to the creation of the Populist Party (People’s Party)
help struggling farmers/ laborers
Increase $ supply

18. The Omaha Platform Populist Party ran under the Omaha Platform
Unlimited coinage of silver- to make more money
Government ownership of railroads
Bank regulations

19. Farmers and Populism William Jennings Bryan Ran for president 3 times…
“Cross of Gold” the Democratic National Convention
Very passionate speech
Supported bimetallism- both gold and silver backs US Dollar
Ran for president 3 times…
Lost all three times…

20. Farmers and Populism Election of 1896
1. (R) William McKinley vs. (D) William Jennings Bryan

21. Populism’s Legacy McKinley’s is elected- Ended Populism!!!!!
2 legacies:
Focus on Government regulation
Politics focused more on the American working class

22. Federal Government takes action
To regulate railroads more, the Federal government creates the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC)

23. Take out a sheet of paper.. Its show me time
Who controlled the most powerful political machine in NYC?
How did Thomas Nast uncover much political corruption of the Gilded Age?
What movement that fought to solve farmers’ problems and regulate railroads was led by Oliver H. Kelley?
What political party was started to support the American farmer?
Who led this party?

24. Knights Charge 2/2
What do you think this cartoon is saying?