1. Politics in the Gilded Age
Chapter 3 Section 4

2. Lecture Focus Questions
What issues plagued the government during the Gilded Age?

3. Politics in the Gilded Age
gilded: covered with a thin layer of gold
A thin but glittering layer of prosperity covered the poverty and corruption of society
Laissez-faire: government should play a very limited role in business

4. Spoils System
Spoils System: Elected officials appointed friends/supporters to govt jobs, regardless of their qualifications
Result → govt overrun with unqualified, corrupt employees

5. Reforming the Spoils System
Civil service: government’s non-elected workers
Pendleton Civil Service Act: created a Civil Service Commission
Tested applicants’ fitness/qualifications for jobs

6. Rise of Political Bosses
Rapidly growing cities proved hard to govern
Pressure on government officials to improve:
Police/fire protection
Transportation system
Sewage disposal
Increased taxes = more power for city govt

7. Political Machines
Political machine: unofficial city organization designed to keep a particular group in power, usually headed by a powerful “boss”
Graft: use of one’s job to gain profit

8. Political Machines and Immigrants
Immigrants typically supported political machines
Political machines provided immigrants with jobs and homes in return for their political support
Immigrants voted for them in exchange for this help

9. Farmers and Populism
Govt monetary policies contributed to farmers’ complex problems post-Civil War
Populist Party: political party formed by farmers to advocate a larger money supply and other economic reforms
William Jennings Bryan: Populist candidate for presidency in 1896
Famous “Gold Cross” speech
Lost to William McKinley

10. To Finish Your Notes
Answer your focus question and write your summary