1. Politics of the Gilded Age

2. Who are these men?

6. Government Weak Executive Inefficient Congress
Senators elected by state legislatures
Incompetent bureaucracy
Pro-business policies

7. Patronage (The Spoils System)
A democratic system offers opportunity to many citizens and prevents entrenched bureaucracy
BUT it’s corrupt, inefficient, creates instability, political favoritism, and incompetence
Office seekers take up all the president’s time
Garfield assassinated in 1881 by disappointed and crazed office seeker

8. Pendleton Civil Service Act (1883)
Prohibits federal employees from soliciting or receiving political contributions from gov’t workers
Created Civil Service Commission
Competitive exams to applicants of gov’t jobs
Gives rise to professional civil service free from partisan politics – stronger exec branch
Opens opportunities for women clerks

9. Political Machines Favors for votes
Provide funds for schools, hospitals, new businesses
Help immigrants: naturalization, housing, jobs
Corrupt: bribes and kickbacks, fraud, graft
Boss Tweed stole $30-$200 million from NYC